'Privileged' Botwright Makes Gerrard Grand Prix Debut

Manchester squash star Vicky Botwright will be making a rare appearance in a major international event on her home courts when she competes in the first women's event in the Gerrard Grand Prix Championship at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from 23-26 September.

The 28-year-old world No7 from Worsley says that she is "privileged" to have been asked to compete at Sportcity in the high-quality women's draw which is being played alongside the star-studded eight-man event headed by Frenchman Thierry Lincou, the World Champion, the World No1 and the reigning Gerrard Grand Prix Champion.

"I went to watch a couple of matches last year and was very impressed with how organised and large the event was," said Botwright on her return to England after competing in the Seattle Open in the USA. "So when I received the invitation from the organisers, I obviously jumped at the chance.

"It's also great to see the top men in the world competing in Manchester," added the England No2. "We have the Nationals and the Premier League in Manchester, and now also the British Open - so times are good for me because they are all on my doorstep!

"But also for the people of Manchester, it's wonderful that they can see the best players in the world on a regular basis. The following in the area is quite big now and with the Nick Taylor academy and the English Institute of Sport all based there; it's the place to be!"

Botwright trains at the NSC centre "at least five times a week", doing weights and circuit training with the EIS and also playing with sister Becky Botwright (ranked 32 in the world) and Lancashire county team-mate Laura-Jane Lengthorn (world No20) - in addition to England squad sessions.

Competing with Botwright in the women's draw are Lengthorn, world No9 Jenny Duncalf and world No10 Tania Bailey, whom Vicky plays in the first round on Saturday (24 September)

"The last time we played, she beat me 3/1 in Qatar. She is playing as well now as she was before the setbacks which put her out for all most two years," explained Vicky.

"And in the first round in Seattle, Tania beat Natalie Grinham (the world No4 from Australia) in a big five-setter. Ours will be a tough match, but I suppose it always is when you play your best friend! In fact, she will be staying at my house when the Grand Prix is on, as she does when we have our England Squads, so we know each other well!"

Alongside Lincou in the men's Gerrard Grand Prix draw are Englishmen Lee Beachill, James Willstrop and Nick Matthew, ranked 2, 8 and 9 in the world; Australian Anthony Ricketts, the world No6; Scotland's world No10 John White; and Egyptians Amr Shabana and Karim Darwish, ranked 7 and 12, respectively.

Tickets for the 2005 Gerrard Grand Prix are available exclusively from www.isportticketing.com or by telephone on 07973-544719.