Sponsorship with an Edge ...
You may have noticed that this year's event is called the Powerplaysports
British Junior Open. And the good news is that it will be called this
for at least another two years.
Powerplaysports, the Manchester-based online squash specialists, have signed
a three-year sponsorship agreement with England Squash, having stepped in at
the last minute for the 2005 event.
 Powerplaysports
was set up just over three years ago, and is part of AJ Edge Ltd, a
group that specialises in trading products from the Far East and India with
an annual turnover of £24m.
"We believed there was a gap in the market for quality squash rackets and
equipment at reasonable prices," says founder Alan Edge.
"And we believe we have an 'edge' in that we already have all the contacts
for design, manufacture and distribution of the products. Because we are
sourcing direct using our own 100% owned Hong Kong group subsidiary we have
good control, good relationships and can get great prices.
"We had some exclusive racket moulds designed and manufactured for Squash,
Tennis and Badminton rackets, and the business has gone from strength to
strength, sales are up 180% in the last year and we're looking to do the
same or better this year.
"We also sponsor Yorkshire and Lancashire Counties, and the biggest squash
league in the world, the North-West Counties.
"We're in this for the long term, so we always aim for at least three-year
agreements which gives stability to both sides.
"We wanted to sponsor the BJO because it's the biggest junior tournament in
the world, so is a good showcase for us and it deserves support."
Alan's Junior days are behind him now, but having represented Manchester
Northern in the North-West Counties League for 31 unbroken seasons he knows
more than a little about squash, and he's built a squash team to make
Powerplaysports a success.
 "We have four
full-time staff, and Bernie Gill, former chairman of Lancashire Squash with
30 years in the squash business, is looking after the marketing side.
Bernie, an ES member since 1968, has extensive contacts throughout the
squash community and will help us to grow the business."
So thanks to Alan and Powerplaysports from everyone in Sheffield for helping
to make the BJO such a success ... and if anyone can beat Alan's 31-year
club representation record we'd be delighted to hear from you !
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www.powerplaysports.co.uk |
