Back in the “summer” of 2005 (it seems such a long time ago now) the idea for a new competition was developed. A competition which would cater for all abilities, from the top class League 1 players down to my end of the spectrum.

It was particularly hoped that this new competition would enable and encourage lapsed players to rejoin the game, and even bring novices in to the sport.

And so the Ladder was born.

Players would not be committing to playing a minimum number of events, or playing regularly. There was a lot of discussion around the format of the competition, and for the first rounds a mix-around idea was adopted in preference to the normal match practice of playing in fixed pairings.

A series of 8 dates was set – Wednesday evenings at Highgate, Sunday mornings at Eton.

The first event at Highgate attracted 20 players. Games were played to 15 with a time limit of 45 minutes. The first games all finished within the time limit so all subsequent games have been limited to between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on the lateness of the hour. The game time limit is set so there will be time for a get-together after play.

For the first 7 dates the number of participants varied between 16 and 28, ensuring a good mix-around for each game. On the 8th date there were only 8 players but the mix-around format provided enjoyable fives for all.

To date only the game scores and final court position for each event have been published. Some discussion has centered around allocation of points based on results to produce a Ladder ordering of players, this is under development for the future.

Summer Ladder 2006
Following on from the 8 original rounds the EFA Board decided to keep the competition running beyond the end of the traditional fives season, extending into July, in keeping with the aim of attracting lapsed and irregular players back into the game.

Five events were scheduled for Highgate on Tuesday evenings, and two events on Sunday mornings at Eton. There has been less interest in playing in the summer but the Sunday events in particular were not popular choices.

The Future
The Ladder Competition will resume in earnest in September. As well as at Eton and Highgate additional Ladder fixtures are proposed at Charterhouse and Aldenham.

A web-based online system is being developed which will email notifications automatically and players will be expected to enter themselves. You will also be able to see who else has entered. Full details of how to use the system will be included within it.

This is just a part of an exciting new initiative to use IT to organise the game better and to inform and keep track of players, especially those who leave school and drop out of the game when at university and don’t return.

This will depend on players using the new system and entering their details, so the ball will definitely be in your own court very soon.

J.A.C.

Ladder Report 2005-2006 by John Cooley
Created 26th March 2007 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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