What is Eton Fives?

It is a hand ball game played between two teams of players in a three walled court.

How Did it Originate?

From a knock-about game played by school-boys at Eton College. The original court is the area between two buttresses of the Eton College Chapel.

How Does Eton Fives differ from Other Hand Ball Games?

The architectural features of the court, having a step across the middle, a buttress protruding from the left hand wall and several ledges, make the game unique.

Do all Eton Fives Courts have these Unusual Features?

The first purpose built Fives courts were built at Eton in the 1840s were based on the original court with certain modifications to improve the game. Some of the copies showed little respect for accurate dimensions and non-standard examples still exist but modern courts are built to exact specifications, replicas of the Eton courts.

Where is the Game Played?

There are 45 centres (35 active and 10 non-active), mostly in independent schools.

Who Plays the Game?

Eton Fives is an amateur game, played primarily by men and boys, but in recent years several schools and clubs have introduced the game to female players. A total of forty-two schools play the game (twenty-nine independent schools, three grammar schools, one comprehensive and nine preparatory schools). There are currently thirty Fives clubs, comprised of twenty-four active Old Boys clubs, The Jesters, two teams each from Oxford and Cambridge Universities (a team is usually 3 pairs) and one team from London University. A number of local clubs are developing, playing in school courts.

There are many competitions, including:

• An annual Varsities match;
• An Under-25 championship;
• Ten teams of three pairs each compete in the County Championship.
• Twenty-four club teams play in the three divisions of the league
• Individual pairs can enter the two regional tournaments (London and Northern); the veterans; mixed; ladies; the Lord Aberconway Cup (fathers and sons); and the National Championship for the Kinnaird Cup.
• There is also the Alan Barber Cup and EFA Trophy (club knockout competitions) and the Graham Turnbull Trophy (Adult/School Tournament).
• The Old Ipswichians and the Heath Clubs run their own tournaments.
• The Holmwood's School and Holmwood's Preparatory Championships - the major events in the school Fives world, which also includes the Southern Schools, Abbey Tournament and Williams Cup.
Is the Game played outside Britain?

The game flourishes at various courts worldwide. There are 3 centres in Switzerland and there are isolated courts elsewhere in Europe and at schools in Asia, Africa and South America.

Who Governs the Sport?

The sport's governing body is the Eton Fives Association (EFA) a company limited by guarantee. The EFA is responsible for publicising and promoting the game; running annual championships and other events; providing information (rules of the game, court specifications etc); raising funds for renovating fives courts; and providing accidental injury insurance for club members.

Why does the Eton Fives Association need Financial Support?

• to help schools to maintain their courts (roofs, floors, lights).
• to support a programme of coaching in schools.
• to provide help in kick-starting the use of dormant courts.
• to work with and support the work of the Eton Fives Charitable Trust in its activities including the building of new courts at Cambridge.
• to finance the services of a part-time administrator.

How can you help?

By joining the Eton Fives Association, the parent body, which has a responsibility to manage and develop the game. Membership costs £20 per year.

To join, please print and complete the Individual Membership form. The membership fee of £20 is payable by Direct Debit. The EFA is a Company limited by guarantee. Completed forms should be sent to Mike Fenn 3, Bourchier Close, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1PD.

Restructured by Mike Fenn
31st January 2003
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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