DUNLOP SQUASH NEWS

Long anticipated new Dunlop balls to be available in June: The new line explained

Dunlop Press Release 5.28.99     

NEW DUNLOP SQUASH BALL RANGE - WITH ALTITUDE

The revolutionary new Dunlop squash ball initiative, which will be launched internationally this year, will include a 'high altitude' ball for regions in the world where conditions make this ball appropriate.

The new Dunlop squash ball range will be available in June, and is the result of a £1million (pounds sterling) investment in a worldwide campaign to increase squash participation.

The international launch follows an exhaustive worldwide research and development programme, run in partnership with the sport's international governing bodies, the World Squash Federation (WSF), the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

With over 90% share of the worldwide squash ball market, Dunlop is in a unique position to introduce a new squash ball programme designed to stimulate participation levels worldwide.

Dunlop is abandoning the existing and widely misunderstood range of coloured 'dot' balls, and introducing a new squash ball range which includes balls that are bigger, and more playable, than the current single standard size ball - to bring more fun to the game.

The new squash ball range is based upon a unique design concept exclusive to Dunlop, focused on extending ball "hang-time" - the time taken for the ball to complete its bounce - which has been applied across all four ball types.

This Research & Development breakthrough means that players of lower skill levels have longer to hit the ball, making hand and eye co-ordination easier, allowing correct technique to be developed and rallies to be extended - vital ingredients to improving player enjoyment.

New Four Ball Range

The new range features four new balls:

The REVELATION PRO XX traditional-sized black ball for professional play remains the official ball of the WSF, PSA and WISPA. These endorsements ensure that Dunlop is the only ball used in all international professional competitions. The black REVELATION PRO XX is identified by a double yellow dot.

The REVELATION COMPETITION XT, the existing traditional-sized ball for use by non-league club players, has a similar performance to the Revelation Pro XX, but an increased 10% 'hang-time'. The REVELATION COMPETITION XT is black, and identified by a single yellow dot.

The new MAX PROGRESS ball is 6% larger than the Revelation Pro XX, and has instant bounce, eliminating the need for warm-up. The MAX PROGRESS has a 20% longer 'hang time' than the Revelation Pro XX - thereby making it ideal for 'improvers' and recreational players - and is black in colour.

The MAX ball is 12% larger, and has a 40% greater 'hang time' than the Revelation Pro XX. Exhaustive testing has proved this ball to be the perfect 'starter' ball, aimed at the all-important beginner. The blue MAX ball also has instant bounce, which again eliminates the need for warm-up.

For regions where a special high altitude ball is required, Dunlop will also market a CHAMPIONSHIP XX High Altitude ball. This black ball with a green dot, which has enjoyed unrivalled performance for more than a quarter of a century, will be available in distinctive packaging featuring world champions Jonathon Power and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who will use the ball whenever competing at altitude.

All ball packaging will clearly indicate the exclusive international endorsement of the WSF, PSA, and WISPA.

Maximum Enjoyment

"This new squash ball concept is designed to maximise enjoyment at all levels," enthused Dunlop's International Squash Marketing Manager Paul Walters. "From now on there will be a ball which genuinely suits every level of play. Beginners and improvers will immediately be able to enjoy rallies, and move on to the next ball as they develop."

WSF Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton added his enthusiasm for the new concept: "The WSF has been working closely with Dunlop as the major manufacturer of squash balls in the world. The objective was not only to reinforce the satisfaction that top and good players have with the two traditional 'yellow dot' balls, but also to create two exciting new breakthrough balls which will give players of lesser skills the satisfaction of achieving the same rewards from squash as professionals.

"The worldwide response to the new balls has been so universally positive that we are convinced that this significant Dunlop innovation, endorsed by the WSF, will kick-start a major new squash boom," Wallbutton concluded.

Issued on behalf of PSA by Howard Harding

For further information: Howard Harding Email: HowHard@aol.com

28 May 1999