EFA

In the February 1995 Newsletter, the EFA Committee published a consultative document to all members of the Association. In the document, various proposals were put forward: some of these were supported strongly by the Committee, others were put forward without recommendations. EFA members were asked to comment. As the proposals were explained very fully in the Newsletter, I will not repeat them here, but I will report as many of the replies as possible, and then detail the Committee's agreed priority list of objectives and actions.

I cannot include every point that each person made, so I have summarised as best I can:

1. The proposal that we should recognise the many informal courts around the country, 'play-pens', and even encourage them to be built because of their relative cheapness, was strongly supported by the Fives Association of Nigeria; they also supported the use of tennis balls to provide variety and teaching. The'play-pen' proposal elicited very strong views, equally spread,'for' and 'against'.

2. The Old Etonian Fives Club held a discussion at their AGM, at which they concluded that the biggest problems for the game are that:
-- It is frequently played outside at night
-- It is played in inhospitable surroundings, away from any club atmosphere
-- It is played at places that are hard to reach

They recommend that we should build courts in the grounds of established Sports Clubs to give the sport a more friendly environment, a pool of potential players and a base from which a professional could operate.

3. The proposal of encouraging staff at Schools with Eton Fives courts to play was generally supported.

4. A unanimous priority to stop the current loss of players after leaving School was established. Key to this is a strong relationship between the Old Boys Club and the School. The development of University fives would help. Also, we should widen the number of Schools playing the game and ensure its survival at Schools which have courts.

5. Enthusiasm for developing the game for women was agreed.

6. Completely differing opinions about changing the name of the game (ie cutting out 'Eton') and the rules (to allow a quicker start to rallies); they varied from 'not on your life!' to 'why haven't you done it before!' Similar divisions on mobile courts and hybrid rules.

7. Very strong support for a paid Coach/Administrator/Development Officer to put effort into preservng and extending the game.

8. A suggestion was put forward for introducing prize money.

9. No general support for making under 21 or under 25 players compulsory in some pairs at the Alan Barber Cup.

10. A truly innovative contribution by Jon Wallis (Old Wulfrunian) that Eton Fives publicise itself on the Internet. General agreement that we should do much more to get more publicity in many different media, possibly with a dedicated Press Officer.

11. A suggestion to brighten up the appearance of the courts.

12. Support for working more closely with the Rugby Fives Association.

13. Ensure more evenly matched games, especially for schoolboys.

14. Some disagreement about the validity of 'local' clubs in the long run, but general consensus that they should be encouraged where there are enthusiasts.

I will not go into the various deliberations which ensued at subsequent Committee meetings, but below is the list of agreed priorities to work on over the next five years.

In essence. the priority is to preserve and develop the pool of players and the facilities that we have got at the moment. The Phase II priorities are very worthwhile, but we will never achieve anything unless we focus on a few major action points.

PHASE I PRIORITIES

1. Raise funds for, and employ one or more paid, part-time or full-time employees/sub-contractors, to develop the game especially in schools and postschool scenario.

2. Maximise number of boys/girls continuing to play the game after leaving school.

3. Increase playing members of, and interest of members of staff in Eton Fives, playing schools.

4. Improve publicity of all types including Internet.

5. Develop strong links with the Rugby Fives Association.

6. Brighten up the courts.

PHASE II PRIORITIES

7. Integrate play-pens into infrastructures.

8. Increase number of local clubs.

9. Have fixed days for league games.

10. Introduce Eton Fives into sports clubs.

11. Develop Eton Fives at Universities.

12. Introduce Eton Fives into State schools.

Many thanks to all those who gave their views to us. If one of your views does not appear on the priority list, please do not take offence. The debate will go on. A few achievements in key activities over the next few years and we can really feel that we are making progress. You will, I hope, be pleased to know that we have already taken action on Item 1. and will have a person in place early in the 1995/1996 season.

Victory is inevitable!

R.N.L.B.

The Future Direction of Eton Fives by Richard Black 1995
Created 11 January 2004 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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