RFA President's newsletter Summer 2024

Coaching

As mentioned in previous Newsletters, we are always looking for those who can do some coaching. You don’t have to have prior experience.

We are working, in conjunction with the EFA, on a couple if ideas to try to increase the number of trained coaches who can support Fives. The first, as mentioned last time, is to set up a formal relationship with St Mary’s College, Twickenham to train their students, enrolled on degree courses in Sports Coaching, to play Fives. 

Following a Zoom call with the Gen Sec, the University seems enthusiastic and we are waiting to hear whether this will be included as a formal option in their courses for the next academic year. The RFA would offer a small bursary as an incentive. 

The EFA is placing advertisements with the Professional Cricketers Association and “The Cricketer” magazine believing that there is synergy between Cricket and Fives, and that some retiring cricketers intending to coach might be willing to add a second sport.

Whitgift School

The survival of Fives at Whitgift School seems to be especially precarious at the moment. Although the courts were re-roofed about 7 years ago their design, with a drainage channel which runs along the top of the 4 front walls, has led to significant leaks and considerable damage to the courts, making at least one unplayable and the others very unattractive. 

They are currently undergoing a surveyor’s assessment, but it seems unlikely that there will be Fives there next term. The school itself seems reluctant to put in more money, or to welcome outside help, and has turned down an offer of coaching support.

Prior Park College

We were approached by a teacher from this school in Bath about two massive, historic 19th century Fives courts (open, with only 3 walls) which have remained unused for many years. One of them is now useable again, and they want to start playing Fives as a traditional playground game, and build up from there. 

Our Regional Development Officer for the SW, Peter Grant, and Kevin Brice from the West of England Club are liaising with the school, and there has already been a visit to try out the courts using a rubber ball. The traditional Fives ball will not be bouncy enough for such big courts (see photos) but it will still be an enjoyable game.

https://www.priorparkcollege.com/welcome/news/news-page/~board/prior-park-college/post/a-fives-revival-at-prior-park-college

Paying to play

It seems that we are going to have to get used to the idea of paying a bit more to play, as schools, concerned at their future finances under the new government look to maximise the potential of every asset. Clubs which are not already doing so may need to start covering per hour hire costs which may in turn help to persuade schools to retain the courts as an asset. 

The costs to the RFA for hiring courts for tournaments is steadily rising, and we are having to raise the standard entry fee for tournaments to £15 from the beginning of next season ( with a 50% concession for students and still free for those at school).

Season’s Achievements 

In the last Newsletter we mentioned several of our new Champions this season, but one player who didn’t feature and deserves a shout out is Shinan Zhang, who won just about everything that was possible to win, being the current Women’s National Doubles Champion (with Helena Tunks), National Open Mixed Doubles Champion (with Penn Chai), Winchester Women's Singles and Doubles Champion (with Helena Tunks), and Winchester Mixed Doubles Champion (with Penn Chai). In addition, she set up and organised the London League, between teams from Executioners, Edward Alleyn Club, Stoke Newington Swifts and UCS. A truly stellar year. (Detailed reports on all tournaments appear on the website).

Women's Winchester - Bradfield

SW Open - Tiverton

Derby Moor 2024

Mixed Open Doubles in Cambridge

Manchester Y Club