Former British Open champion David Evans is delighted World-class League squash is being revitalised in South Wales.
A new team, Welsh Wizards, play their first Premier League fixture in Cardiff on Tuesday, September 25 and Evans, from Griffithstown, Pontypool, says: “It’s superb to have top level squash back in Wales after so long being out of the league.
“It will be superb for our players to compete against other World ranked opponents in front of a vocal home crowd.”
French former World Open champion Gregory Gaultier will lead the Wizards, who have a strong Welsh influence in their line-up.
World number 12 and Commonwealth Games medalist Tesni Evans, from Rhyl, is the leading lady for Wizards, while they also include Peter Creed in their line-up.
They have also signed World ranked players from France, Egypt, Hong Kong, Spain and Holland.
Wales has a proud tradition in the PSL, rated the strongest team league in the World, with Leekes Welsh Wizards and Dunraven Windows Maesteg both being crowned British champions.
This new team for 2018-19 is being organised by Squash Wales and director of coaching Mike Workman says: “The time is right to expose a greater number of Welsh players to this higher playing standard.
“After the recent success of our senior players at a series of prestigious international events plus the current resurgence in both playing and spectator participation, it is our job to generate increase publicity and coverage for Welsh squash.
“Our aim is to be competitive, while we also have an eye on the future. Our up-and-coming juniors and transition players will take an active part in watching and competing in this World-class environment.
“We hope the venture will reap benefits for Welsh squash in the future.”
Home fixtures for Squash Wales in the PSL will be played at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff and their opening fixture is against Coolhurst from London, who are led by German World number five Simon Rosner.
The PSL is split into north and south divisions and is a 12-strong competition will see teams of five from across the UK complete 10 league rounds.
Coolhurst, Chichester, St George’s Hill, Bexley and Tradition@RAC are the other teams with Wizards in the South section.
League matches will comprise five-player teams (four men, one woman).
If you are interested in supporting the Welsh PSL venture as a volunteer or sponsor, contact mike.workman@squash.wales
The top three players in the World rankings – Mohamed ElShorbagy, Ali Farag and Marwan ElShorbagy – are among those who compete in the PSL.
Match and season tickets (£15 per fixtures, £60 for all five home games) are already on sale via the Welsh Wizards website.
Welsh wizards squad so far
Gregory Gaultier (France). Ranked 7. World Open Champion in 2015, lifting the crown after being runner-up three times, and has won the British Open on three occasions.
Nicknamed ‘The General’ and has been World number one three times. During 2016-17, Gaultier dominated squash like never before in his career.
He won six successive tour titles in that season, had a 27-match unbeaten run and was once again ranked the best player in World squash.
Omar Mosaad (Egypt). Ranked 14 (formerly ranked 4). Popular Egyptian Omar Mosaad is a tall, imposing figure with a hard-hitting style.
Nicknamed ‘The Hammer of Thor’, a term from an American fantasy novel.
Made his debut for Egypt in the 2013 World Team Championship and had a 100 per cent record, winning all four of his matches. Edged out by Gaultier in the 2015 World Open final.
Lives in Prague.
Max Lee (Hong Kong). Ranked 19. The best player from Hong Kong on the PSA World Tour.
Reached career-high ranking of World number 12 in December 2015. Helped Hong Kong win the Asian Team Championships, beating Pakistan, in April 2018.
Edmon Lopez (Spain). Ranked 58. A 22-year-old from Barcelona. Climbing the rankings steadily, currently at the highest point in his career and aiming to move again.
Peter Creed (Wales). Ranked 53.
One of the most energetic and exciting players to watch on the PSA World Tour.
Caerphilly-born Creed, who has trained under six-times British Open Champion Jonah Barrington, plays out of Rhiwbina SRC in Cardiff. Has won seven PSA World Tour titles.
Emyr Evans (Wales). Ranked 124. Cardiff-born Evans, who is Tesni’s younger brother, is number three in Wales behind Joel Makin (Pembrokeshire) and Caerphilly’s Peter Creed. Aged 21 and a hugely competitive player with big potential.
Elliott Morris Devred (Wales). Ranked 388. Three-time Welsh under-19 Junior Champion, number four player in Wales.
Member of the Wales Squash National Academy at the Cardiff Squash Club. The 20-year-old from Barry has represented Wales at junior and senior levels, making his senior debut at the 2017 European Team Championships in Finland.
Tesni Evans (Wales). Ranked 12. British champion, Welsh champion five times. Highest-ranked Welsh player of all-time, won singles bronze medal at 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Milou van der Heijden (Holland). Ranked 39. Former Dutch champion. Won the Jersey Squash Classic last year.
Grace Gear (Hatfield, Hertfordshire). Ranked 94. Promising 20-year-old competitor who is climbing the rankings.
A strong squad of International and home grown Welsh talent… We can't wait for the @pslsquash season to start 25th September!!
Tickets on sale later today >> https://t.co/g18uwwtLEo #PSLSquash pic.twitter.com/UoKS6xm0eT
— Welsh Wizards PSL (@welsh_wizards) August 20, 2018
PSL fixtures (match nights subject to change):
September
Tuesday 25: Warwick/Kenilworth v Birmingham, Welsh Wizards v Coolhurst, Pontefract v Bristol, St George’s v RAC@Tradition, Newcastle v Nottingham, Bexley v Chichester.
October
Tuesday 23: Bristol v Warwick/Kenilworth, RAC v Welsh Wizards, Nottingham v Pontefract, Chichester v St George’s, Birmingham v Newcastle, Coolhurst v Bexley.
November
Tuesday 6: Warwick/Kenilworth v Nottingham, Welsh Wizards v Chichester, Bristol v Birmingham, RAC v Coolhurst, Pontefract v Newcastle, St George’s v Bexley.
Tuesday 27: Warwick/Kenilworth v Pontefract, Welsh Wizards v St George’s, Bristol v Newcastle, RAC v Bexley, Birmingham v Nottingham, Coolhurst v Chichester.
December
Tuesday 4: Newcastle v Warwick/Kenilworth, Bexley v Welsh Wizards, Nottingham v Bristol, Chichester v RAC, Pontefract v Birmingham, St George’s v Coolhurst.
Second Half fixtures reversed, dates to be confirmed.