2007-2008 was especially busy! Coaching services were administered in a wide range of Rugby and Eton Fives schools, including Emanuel, St.Olave’s, Westminster Under School, Lancing College, Whitgift, St.Dunstan’s, High Wycombe, Radley College, Sutton Valence, Cranleigh, Alleyn’s, Eton College, Charterhouse, Rossall, City of London, Wolverhampton, KES Girls and KES Boys, Stowe, City of Norwich, St.Bartholomews, and the John Lyons school (based at Harrow). As ever, there was also plenty of coaching support provided at the Westway Sports Centre. The standard and numbers of students enjoying the game at all these centres does of course vary. However, there is no doubt that at all of these schools, many pupils are learning, in an all inclusive sporting environment – to love playing Fives!

The highlight of the season has undoubtedly been the re-emergence on the scene of Wolverhampton Grammar school under the guidance of Mark Yates. Girls Fives at KES Birmingham is also an exciting new addition to the sport – and has enabled a lengthy presence from a REFCA coach across the best part of a day at KES, coaching the girls, the boys, and running clubs for both at lunchtime and after school. Soon it will be appropriate to run an open evening club for the University, parents, older students and local Fives players. From September 2008, Mark Yates will also be the REFCA coach at KES, bringing him into an ideal situation from which to bounce two of the main Midland schools off each other.

The only disappointment of the season was the delay in getting to use the six newly renovated courts at Stoke Newington, but Fives is due to start across the entire school for the 2008/09 season.

An extended portfolio of one-day/afternoon REFCA competitions was developed for the 2007-2008 season. These were designed to offer much needed playing experience for younger players who would benefit from a solid four hour-or-so session of Fives from which to learn quickly and to “get hooked” onto the sport. Various events or three-way matches were held at Wolverhampton, Harrow, Highgate, Charterhouse, Westway, Eton and Rossall.

As ever the game, as well as REFCA, owes many thanks to all of those who coach and spread knowledge and enthusiasm for our sport amongst new generations of school children. Many thanks this season to: Mark Yates, Ian Fuller, Will Sorrell, Mark Herring, Andy Pringle, Matt Wiseman, Ryan Perrie, Anthony Theodossi, Dominique Redmond, Rahul Prashnar, Charlotta Cooley, Will Betts and David Mew. A special thanks to Steve Piper who has worked tirelessly to develop the game at both St.Bartholomews and Sutton Valence – he has done a great job, with a great deal of travelling!!

H.M.E.W.

Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency Report 2007-2008 by Howard Wiseman
Created 27th January 2009 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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