The Australian touring squash professionals. Geoff Hunt (above, left) and Ken Hiscoe (right), who arrived in Christchurch yesterday, describe themselves as the “forerunners” of an increasing number of professionals throughout the world.
“The professionals are starting to emerge as the sponsorhips increase, and when more people begin playing squash full-time, I’m sure the sport will be able to build up a circuit similar to tennis,” said Hiscoe, three time semi-finalist of the world championship.
The two world class players will play a demonstration match in Christchurch to end their 12-day tour in New Zealand. Hunt said that the sponsorship of squash was only just opening out, and the future for playing professionals looked bright. The game was progressing, courts were being built in nearly all the nations of the world, and there would be a lot more tournaments.
He said squash was at the stage where tennis began… “at the start there was not much money available but as the money increased, so did the professionals.”
SIX PROFESSIONALS
Hunt said there were six playing professionals in the world at present and the movement at present and the movement started three years ago when the Englishman, Jonah Barrington turned professional. The two Australians have been playing full-time for 18 months.
About New Zealand’s standard of squash, Hunt said it was not very high at present, but the country has a new breed of players developing and the standard would increase.
“A New Zealand junior side performed well in Australia this year , and the future looks bright with these promising players,” he said. Hunt, aged 25, began playing squash at the age of 12 and has since won the world amateur championships the three times it has been held the British amateur and open tournament once, and the Australian title four times.
Hiscoe, aged 33, was beaten on three occasions by Hunt in the semi-finals of the world championships, but has been a finalist in the Australian tournament 11 times, winning in seven occasions, and has won the British amateur title once.
Hunt has a bachelor of science degree and a diploma in applied chemistry, but does not intend to use his qualifications because of his career in squash.
