EFA
Rugby & Eton Fives Report 2004-2005
The past season has been a superb one for so many schools!! It has been, above all else, a season of consolidation.
Aldenham School has benefited directly from the “Aldenham” club, both in terms of coaching support, and also opportunity for the more senior school players to experience the adult game.
Berkhamsted has enjoyed the busiest season for years under the superb team of Martin Pett (manager) and Peter Cohen (resident Fives Coach).
Charterhouse appeared for the first time in years at various tournaments, including the Schools’ Nationals – this is a huge step forward and they have a strong team, particularly at senior level. Gilles Gergaud has put in years of outstanding service running the Fives at Charterhouse, assisted over the years by superb coaching and support from Ian Hutchinson, Matthew Wiseman, Dave Goldschmidt, and now Mark Herring.
City of Norwich school has exploded thanks to the tireless efforts of Mark Herring and Douglas Foster who ran a free taster session for all new pupils across several visits. There are now over fifty fully-subscribed members of the CNS fives team – an equal representation of girls to boys! Mark has become a full-time professional Fives Coach, so CNS will now benefit from the same coach from year to year.
Cranleigh have burst back onto the Fives scene – Jon Carr has been simply brilliant in fighting his corner and developing interest through fixtures and training sessions with REFCA coaches George Campbell and Anthony Theodossi. A large team travelled to Shrewsbury for the Schools’ Nationals – in sponsors’ team shirts! There are some outstanding players here – the hard work put in for so many years by Mark Halsted and others at the Prep school is really paying off!! Cranleigh even played a thirteen pair match at Eton against St.Olave’s during the season – not too many teams can raise that number of match-worthy pairs!!!
Emanuel benefited from outstanding service from REFCA coach and Old Boy, Anthony Theodossi. His enthusiasm and drive resulted in a rapid increase of Fives players across the school. The three courts were soon full every lunchtime, and the school represented itself well in various matches and tournaments. The new Headmaster has given terrific support to the sport already – turning his attention to upgrading the courts to the highest standards over the next two years, and increasing the coaching budget considerably having seen the activity over the past year.
Lancing College have further built on their strong position as the only club or sport within Lancing college that truly brings together pupils of both sexes, and of all ages, to enjoy sport together. They have continued to support almost every school or adult competition played in the season, and indeed, have won the Graham Turnbull Trophy, and the School Girls’ Nationals. Not only have they won these events, but as a result, scooped the top two awards at Lancing College’s Senior Sports Awards dinner. The girls won the “Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award” for winning the Nationals, and Fives also won the “Coach of the Year” award. It is one thing to win events and tournaments, travel abroad for Fives Tours etc. each year, but quite another to receive such high praise and profile from within the wider school itself!! Fives, although a Minor sport at Lancing – is right up there when it comes to profile and standing.
Stowe School was an incredible success story – with no pupils playing the game at all last September, Mark Herring and Peter Ruben have patiently built the game up again. The game took off just before Christmas, and new Senior players have championed the game within the school, as well as travelling to The Northerns, The London and the Schools’ Nationals where they gained valuable experience. The courts are full every weekly training session, and the future looks so very bright.
Oakham had an outstandingly busy time under the leadership of Alex Aldous and the residential Fives Coach – Dominique Redmond. Numerous fixtures, Centenary Celebrations, the establishing of a weekly Monday evening club-night for staff, old boys, locals etc, and Fives being taught for the first time in games and P.E. lessons – an incredible step forward for Fives at this school, which is rapidly becoming a valuable addition to many schools’ fixture list.
Uppingham are benefiting directly from the emergence of Oakham Fives – Uppingham is thriving with its Fives, and won the senior Doubles Title at Blackpool in the Rossall Schools’ Championships.
Westminster must be mentioned for making significant progress in their School girls team. The boy’s Fives has been strong for some time, but the time and expertise put in by Mike Milner and coach Matthew Wiseman has paid off for the girls too. There is a huge and very talented team of lower and upper sixth girls. Their emergence has made Fives even more popular across the whole school!!
Fives needs more full-time professional coaches. This past year has seen the addition of Mark Herring to “family”, as well as an equal contribution from Douglas Foster, George Campbell, Dominique Redmond and Anthony Theodossi. (This is in addition to the well established presence of Howard Wiseman, Matthew Wiseman, Ian Hutchiunson and David Mew). What a difference they have made!! We must hope that they continue to serve our game in the future and that more coaches wish to join our sport as a long-term career.
So many thanks to these coaches and all the Masters-in-charge for all their hard work. Many thanks also to all of the other coaches who have assisted over this past year on a part-time basis.
It has been a great year.
H.M.E.W.
Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency Report 2004-2005 by Howard Wiseman
Created 12th January 2006 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk