2007-2008 has seen another successful season for the Ladder competition with in excess of 90 different players appearing, representing 20 different clubs. The Salopian and Olavian sides have been the most successful this year and those two clubs are to be congratulated on being first and second in the clubs competitions. Windsor and Eton managed a creditable third place in the clubs scoring, but were unable to translate this to success in the individual event. Honours in the Individual went to Howard Wiseman representing Olavians, Ed Taylor, representing Salopians, and to Andrew Joyce representing Berkhamsted.

Following another successful season for this format, we have scheduled dates for Ladder competitions for next year and look forward to seeing even greater numbers of players joining in this very sociable format.

One of the great strengths of the ladder, and the reason that by and large everybody turns up and plays, is that the automated entry system and the email notification system, help to keep everyone up to speed on what is happening and remind them what they need to do. We have therefore decided to expand the use of this technology to try and ensure that even more of the scheduled games during the season are actually played and that they are full team matches.

If all goes well, by the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, the capability to organise a fixture, perform team selection and submit results, will all be available through an online system. This will include such things as reminders to Match Managers, requests for players and forthcoming fixture notices via email. If this system operates as it should, then we will also be able to provide additional information to the fives playing world at large in the form of results tables and league standings on a day by day basis.

BUT... (there is always one but isn't there.) we need to base the systems which we are currently designing, on a solid foundation, and one cornerstone of that foundation is the database of players details. Be they young or old, active or retired, league 1 regular or casual social player, we need to accurately document those who wish to support and play the game of Eton Fives. The Club secretaries and administrators have already been asked to update the details of those members of the association for whom we currently hold records. If however, you would like to be pro-active in your support of this effort, you are welcome to submit your current details via the form online at this address: http://www.etonfives.org/register.htm.

The Committee are also continuing to investigate new and imaginative ways in which the capabilities of modern technology, such as the Internet, Text Messaging, Email, Video etc. can be harnessed to promote the enjoyment and playing of the game of Eton Fives. Any constructive suggestions in this area will be considered. Please send via email to: nick.bunyan@k9orbs.com

I look forward to seeing lots of happy people playing fives next season.

N.J.B.