Egypt, Latvia and Switzerland will be among the countries represented when Ipswich Sports Club plays host to a world squash event, starting tomorrow.

The Christchurch Vets Ipswich Open will see some of the world’s top female squash players showcase their skills, in the town’s first-ever staging of an all-female PSA (Professional Squash Association) world tour event.

Qualifying starts today for the $5k event, with the main draw coming on Thursday and the final being held on Sunday.

Included in the competition is wildcard entry Lucy Turmel – the two-time Suffolk Sports Young Personality of the Year, plus current British Junior champion – Hana Moataz, from Egypt, and former world number 30, Lisa Aitken.

Also playing will be the head squash professional at Ipswich Sports Club, Emily Ison, who is a former Stoke High School pupil, along with Latvia’s Ineta Mackevica and Switzerland’s Marija Shpakova.

“We’re really excited to be hosting our first ever Female PSA event,” said Ison, who also works as a coach with Norway’s national teams.

“Ipswich Sports Club (ISC) has a strong history of running successful, world class squash exhibitions and by holding a PSA tournament, we’re really taking things to the next level.

“We hope that the Christchurch Vets Ipswich Open will become an annual all-women event at the club, growing in size each year, thus attracting more of the world’s top players.

“I am passionate about growing the game of squash in our country and hope to encourage more and more people to play squash.”

Turmel is ranked 155th in the world but, at 17, Ison believes such an event will be crucial in the youngster’s development.

“Having some of the world’s touring professionals at our club, fighting for ranking points and prize money, will act as a great learning experience for the members of the ISC Squash Academy juniors, and in particular Lucy Turmel who has hopes of becoming world number one,” Ison added.

“We, as an academy, want to make sure we do everything we possibly can to help her achieve this.

“I’m hoping this will be a real inspiration for the young players coming through at the club.”

Please contact Ipswich Sports Club on 01473 251143 to buy tickets.