EFA
International Report 2004-2005
Australia
Our Vice-President Rodney Knight recently visited Geelong and took a photograph and yes the Eton court is still there.
France
A report on progress of the Provence Fives Courts has been received from EFA member Nigel Cox. They are in Grillon in the North of Provence about an hour from Nimes airport. He states "The broad structure & roof are complete & the surfaces & buttresses should be ready by late October. One court is orthodox the other is a “South paw” court with the buttress on the right hand side of the court. Hopefully they will be ready for playing on in October and a formal opening is planned for the new year. Ideally we need 4 pairs for a mini tournament where each plays the other pairs on both a right & left handed court. Would anyone interested please contact me at my home telephone number. Other facilities include a swimming pool so ideal to bring your spouse in the spring or Autumn. Watch this space."
Malaysia
Courts at Malay College e-mail from Mohd Rizal
It has been a while that there was anything about the courts in the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia.
During my recent visit I found out that the school has made an effort to make the court playable again. Gone are all the weeds and trash that was there maybe during one of you or your associate's visit a few years back. I submit to you two photos of the current condition of the courts.
For your information, the school also has been receiving some equipment from the old boys who sometimes go to London. Hopefully we could actually make the game return to our grounds. By the way I was at our brother school in Vajiravudh Bangkok and found out they played rugby fives, and to compensate the ball they used the inner rubber ball of a tennis ball as an alternative. Played a few games with their Old Boys, and it was fun, after quite sometime.
Nigeria
Sunday Odebode, representing the Fives Federation of Nigeria, visited London in February and discussions were held in an attempt to arrange tours both in the UK and Nigeria and to set up a coaching programme in Nigeria. Unfortunately after numerous exchanges of e-mail we appear to be no further forward. It has been known for some time that the administration of the game in Nigeria has been undergoing somewhat of an upheaval as their Government takes a greater role in the organisation of Nigerian sport. Hopefully the recent appointment of Patrick Obobi as the new Secretary General of the Fives Federation of Nigeria will see matters improve to the benefit of both countries.
On a brighter note the Jesters Club have agreed to provide financial support towards a private tour to Nigeria organised by EFA members Christopher Horne. Christopher has been in correspondence with Alhaji Abubakar Fana, Secretary of the Kano State Fives Association and I reproduce Alhaji's response:
"I thank you very much for your entertaining letter dated 14th August, 2004. I am the same Alhaji Fana whom you said beat you in the quarter final of the Audu Lucat Cup in 1980, and I am still playing both games i.e. tennis and fives actively perhaps for another ten more years. I was unable to remember your face, may be when next you write, you'll please include your photograph so that the old memories will be rekindled. The third paragraph of your letter talks about the impending London tournament which you said Nigeria may be participating in. There is a very remote chance that Kano State will be taking part in that trip.But the fourth paragraph is the most interesting part of your letter. If you can arrange a tour of Northern Nigeria where the game of fives is largely played, we shall make it so memorable for you. Please do not forget your tennis racket when coming. I will give you another chance on the tennis court to prove who is the Roger Federa."
Switzerland
The game here is developing very well. At the Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz, the game could not be in safer hands! With Sebastian Cooley, one of Englands very finest players at present, on the full-time staff and in charge of the Fives, the game will certainly continue to thrive. In addition to Sebastian, there is the added enormous bonus of Curt Schmidt (Old Zuoz and Cambridge Fives – Housemaster at Lyceum), George Campbell (Lancing Old boy – Head of English Games), and Douglas Foster (Lancing Old Boy – Fives and Cricket assistant). The Lyceum have enjoyed matches against visiting tourning teams, arranged through the Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency, and have travelled to London and Geneva to take part in tournaments.
The Zuoz Old Boys continue to thrive in Zurich, and are giving support as usual to the use of the Holmes Place courts in Veigy, in Geneva.
More Eton Fives courts have recently been discovered in a school in Zug – one hour from Zurich, and it looks as though there may be a promising future for these courts within the School – watch this space!!
H.M.E.W./M.R.F.
International Report 2004-2005 by Howard Wiseman and Mike Fenn
Created 12th January 2006
efa@etonfives.co.uk