T&RA Annual Report 2021/22 by Chris Davies

Annual Report 2021/22

Everything you need to know about leaving a gift in your Will to the Tennis & Rackets Association MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YEARS TO COME 1. Grants are available for club development, including new courts, restoring courts and improvements such as new lights, as well as essential 2.repairs.TheT&RA is investing in attracting, recruiting, training and retaining the professionals of both Tennis and Rackets by bringing apprentices or other young professionals into the games. 3. The T&RA is committed to developing the champions of the future by supporting coaching programmes such as the Academy, Development Squads and Juniors, run by the Dedanists’ Society. 4. The T&RA supports the investment in the grass roots of the games, from encouraging new Tennis players in conjunction with the Dedanists’ Foundation and retaining school leavers who have played either one or both of the games. 5. The T&RA organises tournaments for all levels of player abilityincluding the British Open, the Pol Roger, Field and Brodie Cups plus category tournaments for all bands of ability, as well as Amateur Championships and the Invitation Singles. 6. The worldwide Tennis handicap system and Rackets ranking system and its features continues to be developed and funded by the T&RA. 7. The T&RA maintains an informative and vibrant website for both Real Tennis and Rackets at www.tennisandrackets.com. Members are kept informed via the Annual Report, regular newsletters, email and social 8.media.The defibrillators now found in most clubs were part funded by the 9.T&RA.Clubs can take advantage of lower premiums for Public Liability insurance through the T&RA. Members have this cover as part of their 10.benefits.TheT&RA takes a proactive approach to ensuring the equipment (racquets and balls) are available for all to use, and investing in new approaches to secure the future of the games. Please contact executive@tennisandrackets.com for further details of how to provide a tax-free gift to the T&RA.

1 Contents Individual/Full Membership Rates* at date of joining UK(£) 70 and over £38.00 28 - 69 £68.00 21 - 27 £40.00 Under 21 or Full Time Student under 28 £16.00 Associate Membership Subcription Rates All ages £30.00 Affiliate subscriptions Clubs/Schools/Universities with their own courts £165.00 Nomadic/Evening clubs (without any court facilities) £82.50 *Qualifying age is taken at 1st July each year Front cover image : John Lumley, British Open Winner 2021. We are grateful to the photographersfollowing for their kind permission to use their photographs: Tim Edwards, Tory Wall, Jean Deschamps, Matt TheBrownT&RA thanks the following advertisers for theirBrownsupport:AdvisoryPolRogerSituTimEdwardsPhotographyHowardAngusGraysInternational Tennis & Rackets Association Board, Consultants & Committees 2 The Chairman’s Statement 4 The Chief Executive’s Report 5 The Treasurer’s Report 6 Benefactor Scheme & List of Benefactors 7 Court Development 8 Tennis & Rackets Courts around The World 10 Tennis Courts UK 12 Tennis International Associations 15 Rackets Courts UK 16 Corporate Members, Schools, Alumni and Others 18 Review by the Chairman of the Tennis Committee 19 The Ladies Real Tennis Association 20 The Dedanists’ Foundation Report 22 The British Real Tennis Academy Report 24 Junior Real Tennis 26 Real Tennis Match Reports 28 The World Masters 45 The FLM IRTPA National League 49 Van Allen/George Limb/Clothier Tour 50 Real Tennis World Rankings 52 International Real Tennis Reports 54 The Bathurst Cup 58 Real Tennis Match Results 60 T&RA Real Tennis Awards 65 Real Tennis Club Reports 66 Rackets World Rankings 86 Review by the Chairman of the Rackets Committee 87 The Prenn Hue Williams Court 88 Rackets Match Reports 90 Rackets Match Results 104 Rackets Club Reports 110 Obituaries 122 AGM 134 Membership Subscription Rates from 1st July 2022 Annual Report 2022/23 Annual Report 2021/22

2 Annual Report 202 Patron HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO ADC President D M NORMAN Vice Presidents C J HUE WILLIAMS A C LOVELL Brigadier A D MYRTLE CB CBE J A N PRENN Sir JOHN RITBLAT C J SWALLOW P G C MALLINSON A N W BEESON W J MALTBY Chief Executive and Secretary C S DAVIES Treasurer A C POWER e: acpoweruk@gmail.com Chairman of the Rackets Committee R D SUTTON Chairman of the Tennis Committee C VIGRASS Vice President’s Representative W J MALTBY Chairman of the Ladies’ Real Tennis Association K J LEPPARD Elected Members M K M FARMILOE A C B GIDDINS C J FOREMAN V J HARVEY THEChairmanBOARD F C SATOW e: fredericksatow7@gmail.com The Tennis & Rackets Association, c/o The Queen’s Club, Palliser Road, London W14 9EQ (W) (020) 7835 6960 (M) 07533 418869 e: executive@tennisandrackets.com Events and general enquiries: (020) 7835 6937 e: office@tennisandrackets.com Communications and Membership: (020) 7835 6957 e: communications@tennisandrackets.com Financial Controller: e: accountant@tennisandrackets.com T&RA website: www.tennisandrackets.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tennisandrackets Twitter: @TRA_Ltd Instagram: @tennisandrackets YouTube: T&RA Media 2021/22

THE

Chairman of the Committee: The HON J H M BRUCE of S TALBOT-WILLIAMS H R ANGUS Mrs H M CROSSLEY P C WEAVER C S DAVIES / Ms V WALL BA(Hons)

Director of Tournaments R

Hon Solicitors: R PETTIT and J REDDING

Director of Young Professionals’ Programme: C S DAVIES

Court Development:

Child Protection Officer: Volunteer wanted Director of Junior Tennis:

Secretary & Director Young Professionals’ Programme C S

the

Secretary & Director Young

Public Schools’ Masters-in-Charge of Rackets C

MA(Arts)

Chairman:

267 335 e:

Fixtures Secretary S FLYNN Elected Club Representatives J

Ladies I DEAKIN Under 25s L D SYMONDS Schools’ Alumni E R B HYDE UK Clubs J A BLACKBURN Fixture Secretary T H BILLINGS Elected Members S LOUP N C T STAMP Annual Report 2021/22

090713 e:

PATERSON International Real Tennis Professionals’ Association Representative J SMITH Chairman of The Ladies’ Real Tennis Association K

Chairman of the Rackets Professionals’ Association D J MAKEY Rackets Professionals’ Association Representative M

St. James House, Stamford Avenue, Hayling Island, Hants PO11 0BJ (H) (023) 9246 6130 (M) 07740 913841 e: pweaver@btopenworld.com Annual Report Co-Editors:

Investment

Chairman of Handicap and Ranking Sub-Commitee O

Programme C S DAVIES Representative Members The Queen’s Club B

Development M

Chairman:

Technical Adviser:

THE TENNIS COMMITTEE C VIGRASS (M) 07774 chrisvigrass@gmail.com DAVIES G J LEPPARD SAUNDERS WHITING HARVEY C LINTOTT S ROUNDELL RACKETS COMMITTEE R D SUTTON (M) 07738 rorysutton@gmail.com Professionals’ C BOMFORD J SUTTON A BAILEY M OLIPHANT-CALLUM J CROSBY

N HAMILTON Elected Members

Director of Tournaments P

3 CONSULTANTS

Director

National Designated Officer:

The Board and Games Committees have continued to meet regularly. We are always looking for volunteers for these posts who need not be based in the South East.

year the T&RA has taken the first steps in developing a similar programme for Rackets apprentice professionals.

ur annual report seeks to comment on and commemorate key events and achievements in the past year. I also set out below the three key areas on which the T&RA will focus whilst I am chairman.

Court preservation and development remains a top priority of the T&RA. There are prospects of new Tennis courts in the UK.

The major event of the season was the decision of Middlesex University to give Middlesex University Real Tennis Club four years notice of their intention to close the court and re-purpose the space. It is very disappointing to lose such a well-built court created by the generosity of Peter Luck–Hille and many others. However, much can happen in four years and we are working to make the best of a disappointing situation. However, there are prospects of new Tennis courts at Hewell Grange and elsewhere in the UK, which our indefatigable Director of Court Development Simon TalbotWilliams is progressing.

4 Fred Satow, Chairman

Professionals

Participation With the effect of Covid abating, it has been pleasing to enjoy a full season of Tennis and Rackets with nearly all competitions being held and clubs and courts returning to nearly pre–covid levels of activity. However, the effect of Covid followed by the cost-of-living crisis continues to be felt with most courts and clubs losing some members who will take time to replace.

It was pleasing to see the second Harrow Rackets court restored to its full potential thanks to Charles Hue-Williams, John Prenn, the Harrow School Foundation and many others. Eton too have decided to proceed with the improvement of their Rackets court galleries. Further afield new Tennis courts have been built in Bordeaux and Washington DC and Tennis courts in Charleston and Sand Valley, USA and Sydney, Australia are getting closer to realisation. Court preservation and development remains one of my three top priorities for the T&RA.

Please contact me or Chris Davies if you are interested. The office has weathered the storm of Covid and has been busy organising various tournaments and events. We were very sorry at the passing of Andrina Webb, whom many members and benefactors will know. We are hoping to return the team in Centenary House to full strength shortly. Membership numbers have slipped back a bit because of Covid but we are hopeful that this will recover as play returns to pre-covid levels. We are grateful to members, clubs, their boards and schools for their continued support of these games we love.

Facilities

Under the leadership of Rory Sutton, chairman of the Rackets committee, we are hopeful that the coming season will see at least two apprentices in training at schools. This is the third major priority for the T&RA under my chairmanship.

The NewFutureTennis courts in the USA and Australia are coming closer to realisation and Harrow has a newly refurbished Rackets court. In France a new court has opened recently and more are planned. After the recent surge of new Tennis courts in the UK over the past ten years or so, it would be good to see another new Tennis court here, which could happen at Hewell Grange. In the meantime, we must secure the future of Tennis and Rackets by recruiting, training and retaining new Tennis and Rackets professionals, upon whom our games depend. We have made good progress in Tennis but much remains to be done in Rackets.

Annual Report 2021/22

The Board and the office Doctor Victoria Harvey, the chair of the Cambridge Real Tennis Club has recently joined the Board, following the departure of David Watson in November. We are very grateful to David, who served for nine years on the board and was instrumental in developing Tennis IiP, which has already started to produce apprentice Tennis professionals for the future.

The Tennis Investing in Professionals programme to recruit and train new professionals and help existing professionals to improve their skills remains a major focus of the T&RA and me as chairman. The first apprentice, Jack Josephs has completed his one-year course and joined the Royal Tennis Court as a junior professional; and other apprentices continue at various clubs. In addition, a second phase of apprentices are in training. The issues of recruitment and training of new professionals are equally if not of greater importance in Rackets. This

The next question is whether the same can be emulated for Rackets professionals, equally as vital to the future of the sport. There has been much discussion and Fred Satow, the new T&RA Chairman, has taken a close interest in this development. As for Tennis, the T&RA has pledged support to facilitate the training and a number of options are being explored including taking on undergraduates on coaching courses at university, while continuing with training pipelines such as at Eton, Harrow and Wellington

Davies, Chief Executive and Secretary

We build our future on history, but let’s make it vibrant and exciting.

Richard Owen travelled to New York to claim the Rackets World Doubles title after a mercurial performance at Queen’s. As new world champions, they were near unplayable in the British Open, while Tom was rarely troubled in the Open Singles. Ben Cawston also completed another stellar season and will challenge for the World Singles crown in November. For the Ladies, Lea Van der Zwalmen was back successfully defending her Singles title (and challenging Claire in Tennis). But the chasing ladies are making real progress as their game goes from strength to strength, with a first British Open title for Georgie Willis too.

As we approach next season, fresh challenges lie ahead. But we move forward without one vital member of the team, Andrina Webb, who sadly passed away in March. She had been membership secretary for over eight years and touched the lives of most of us. Her memory burns brightly and she will not be forgotten. My personal thanks to Jemima Murray-Poore, who continues to excel in all she undertakes, to the everreliable Olga Nechaeva, keeping our accounts on track and a warm welcome to Kambra Clifford as the new Communcations Coordinator and Membership Secretary. Finally, my co-editor, Tory Wall, who, in two words, is simply brilliant. A small team, but absolutely perfectly formed. We build our future on history, but let’s make it vibrant and exciting

The Under 26 Team has just returned from Down Under with the Van Alen and Limb trophies, triumphant against their US and Australian opponents. Fabulous year for John Lumley, winning the British Open for the first time, amongst other wonderful achievements overseas, while the brilliant Claire Fahey successfully defended her Open and World titles, not for the first time. Husband Rob, finally defends his world title in TomSeptember.Billingsand

What a difference a year makes? Real Tennis and Rackets are very much back for a post-covid resurgence. Rackets thrived at virtually every school, showcased by the National Schools Championships at Queen’s running at capacity. The recovery in Real Tennis has been slower, perhaps because more players were unable to play regularly for around 18 months, but most clubs are starting to see their court bookings increase. Also, a full season’s competition for both sports, professional and amateur alike. International travel facilitated the RT Masters being played in France for the first time, and what a show the organisers put on, with an incredible performance by the British players.

Chris

Last year saw the T&RA’s rebranding process, with a fresher, more dynamic, new look. This year we proceed to the next step with a Marketing Strategy aiming to find a sponsor for Real Tennis, to work alongside us to enhance the future of the games. We already have terrific sponsors for Rackets in Brown Advisory, with who we share a first-class partnership. Our links with Pol Roger are as strong as ever, and it is not only the world champions who enjoy Pol as their drink of choice. I should also thank Situ for their support for the Ladies Rackets World Challenge, even more remarkable to see the brilliant Cesca win through to the final Asidestages.from the very many volunteers connected with the above programmes, there are a handful who should be singled out. The much-travelled Howard Angus must have worn out a set of tyres as he travelled relentlessly around the country as the T&RA Technical Adviser. Similarly, Simon TalbotWilliams took over the role of Court Development Director, now reaping the rewards of Richard Dalzell’s early work, and making genuine progress. Paul Weaver has been the face of Junior Tennis for longer than most of us remember, and what a brilliant job he does and will shortly be hosting the Junior World Championships at Seacourt (a tournament he created and designed). Jamie Bruce sits as chair of the Finance Committee and works with our investment managers to safeguard the investments, enabling the T&RA to provide valuable grants. Ben Geytenbeek has emerged as a streaming expert and already offered advice to many UK clubs; he has also written a first class guide available on the T&RA website. There are so many more of you running events or working as officers in your clubs, for which the games are very grateful.

Annual Report 2021/22

It has been business as usual for the Board and Games Committees, as many key projects either continued to develop or evolved to new levels. In particular, the Investing in Professionals (IiP) programme has seen its first apprentice (Jack Josephs) securing a job at Hampton Court , three other apprentices in training, and one more starting at Petworth as the first of Tranche 2. There are still some improvements to make in the programme; key will be to secure roles for the future graduates. David Watson, having stepped down as T&RA Chairman, has taken the leading role to drive the programme forward. Rather less publicised is the fact that 16 of the current professionals have been accredited by our partners, Sport Structures, with more not far away.

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It is critical that we enable the next generation of professionals by attracting and recruiting new players into our games, which, in turn, will inspire both young and old to realise their potential and achieve their dreams. Both games are suffering from an ageing professional profile and a serious shortage of young professionals which, if not addressed urgently, will leave many Clubs and Schools without a suitably equipped professional team able to teach to a high level and to support the courts’ economic operations. Once the youngsters are committed, we want to retain them and train them to support their clubs better. With your support, the T&RA is the major stakeholder in the Investing in Professionals programme for Real Tennis and aims to develop something similar for Rackets, so that future players can be as fortunate as many of us have been to be taught and inspired by great coaches.

Nick Danby Jean De Pourtales Graham Defries Dominic Delaforce Justin ChristopherAlexMaggieBrendanSirChristopherDavidAlanTonyDavidCharlieDowleyForemanFortuneFriendGiddinsGodfrayGreenAndrewHamiltonHegartyHenderson-TewHoareHopton Lord Anthony Hothfield Michael Hough Michael Howard Mark Hue Williams Charles Hue Williams Nigel Hurst Brown Quintin Ings-Chambers Adam Inselbuch John Kemp-Welch Mark WilliamPeterRichardPeterAlanMichaelLandauLingensLovellLuck-HilleMacAlisterMallinsonMaltby Simon Mansfield Christie Marrian Patrick Maxwell Tim JamesAlastairMaxwellMaxwellMcDermott John McVittie Ben Mekie Tim StephenDavidMilliganMillsMorant Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy Paul MarkGarethJohnTimRogerRichardDeaneGilesRonaldAdrianColmDavidNichollsNormanO’SheaPatersonPatersonPembertonPennickPettitPilgrimPilkingtonPrennQuarryRayner

T&RA Benefactors Mike RichardCharlesJamesTimPaulGeorgeJamieNicholasMichaelConDavidJohnathanAndrewCliveRobinTaytRobertZandyAllawayAntonApplebyBaldwinBarlowBarnesBeesonBlissBrazierBridgemanBrooksBrowneBruceCalvocoressiCattermullCockroftCoyneD’OylyDalzell

Fred

Sir John Ritblat

Need for Money

Lord John Suffield Charles Swallow

T&RA Benefactor Scheme

The T&RA finances are in a reasonable state following the pandemic, despite providing support to those in need. We have managed to cover routine expenditure from our annual subscription revenue, which goes towards subsidising play, especially schools and juniors. But the Association faces a real risk that it will not have the resources to meet the large and irregular requests it receives to provide more enduring support to our games. These generally fall into two main areas: Recruitment and improvement of training Developmentprofessionals.ofnewcourts; and Restoration of existing courts

Now in its eighth year and your support is needed more than ever. Over 90 members are now signed up as Benefactors, a terrific effort, but it would be even better to sign up the 100th.

Equally, the generosity of historic donors and Benefactors has allowed the Association to make significant contributions to both the new courts at Wellington and Tonbridge; capital support for projects such as the Hyde; and repair/improvement projects (including Moreton Morrell’s splendid new floor and the new roof at Jesmond Dene) that have greatly enhanced the playing opportunities and experience for our members in many different parts of the country. We have been able to support new, environmentallyfriendly LED lighting projects across much of the UK. These challenges and opportunities will keep coming…

Our long-term promise is to protect and grow the games we love... becoming a Benefactor helps you to give more demonstratively and enable the future.

Annual Report 2021/22

It is only through enthusiastic and generous donors who, like us, are passionate about the games Tennis and Rackets that we can protect and develop the games for a vibrant future.

Chris GordonWillieFormanJohnJillDavidDavidChrisJamieSwanTurnerVigrassWatkinsWatsonWhitehouseWhitingWickesWilksWoodman

Lesley Ronaldson

Benefactor Benefits Aside from the regular benefits of being a T&RA member, together with recognition in the Annual Report and online, Benefactors also receive an invitation to an annual drinks party, where the Chairman provides an update on recent projects and developments. In addition, you will receive the Benefactor’s tie, or brooch for the ladies, on joining. Becoming a Benefactor is a perfect way to contribute to the future prosperity of our games that have given us so much pleasure over the years. Become a Benefactor and support this initiative. If you are willing to become a Benefactor and contribute a minimum of £300 per annum (including your annual subscription), contact the Membership Secretary, at the T&RA’s office at Queen’s. Many thanks again for your kind and generous support.

1. Located within educational establishments

The cost of a standard new Tennis court, built as part of a larger sports complex and thus sharing changing facilities, club room and professionals’ office, is likely to be in the region of £1m.

For Rackets, we are alert to new possibilities, although the financial model is more challenging, with reliance on individual benefactors, as in the case of the re-modelled original court at Harrow School officially opened in April.

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY REAL TENNIS CLUB

Of particular interest is the court at HMP Hewell Grange in Worcestershire. Until recently a gym for inmates, the entire estate is now on the market for sale. We have been working very closely with the selling agents and most potential purchasers. The listed court is in excellent condition and restoration to its former use seems to be the only viable option. Hopefully, buyers of the estate will agree with our logic!

Middlesex University has served notice to terminate Tennis at the Millennium Court on the Hendon Campus. This takes effect on 14 February 2026. The tragedy is that, with the Lucke-Hille Foundation having spent around £1.5m (in 1999 money) on the most technology advanced court in the world, the university would only grant a 10-year lease. Although continuance of the Tennis use was secured in 2010/11, from the university’s point of view, having consolidated activities at the Hendon campus, the notice to quit was the rational outcome of a review of their future space and use requirements. However, morale at the Club is high, courts remain fully booked and the officers of a new Club entity have formed a very effective Relocation Committee. We are working with them to find a new location in the northwest of London and discussions are ongoing.

3. Linked with the introduction of Padel tennis

INTRODUCTION

8 by Simon Talbot-Williams Court Development

Whilst no new Tennis courts are under construction, we have identified realistic possibilities in nearly all of the target counties specified in the 2019 strategic review.

POTENTIAL NEW TENNIS COURTS

T&RA is committed to offering grants towards the cost of new courts of at least 10% of the total development cost – and hopefully for a court in a priority County this may be increased to 15%. The financial model included, see T&RA’s website, anticipates a good level of individual donations from supporters as well as Sport England, with the institution’s own contribution being primarily the land.

FINANCE

OUT-OF-USE TENNIS COURTS

Annual Report 2021/22

A well-run club will produce a positive cash flow within 3 years which will enable the interest on any debt to be covered and repayments made by year 10.

Since taking on the Court Development brief in November, Richard Dalzell and I have continued with the Tennis strategy, endorsed by the T&RA Board in 2019, to proactively improve court coverage throughout the UK.

2. Integrated within other racquet sport centres

Discussions are ongoing with the relevant institutions and in two cases negotiations are well advanced, one of these instigated by a school. The viability of new development opportunities is enhanced where they are:

WEBSITE T&RA’s website provides a host of information on Tennis court development, including a statement on the strategy, court plans, alternative models and case studies of all the recently developed courts in the UK. It also covers the Key Requirements for Successful Developments as well as the Unique Selling Points for the game. Do take a www.tennisandrackets.com/real-tennis/court-developmentlook:

A key stumbling block in some cases is the identification of a suitable Project Champion who has the necessary time, enthusiasm, drive and local connections to move the opportunity forward. If you would like to get involved or have any suggestions, please contact me (see below).

We obviously keep our eyes open for opportunities at all the out-of-use courts around the UK. Those at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire and Crabbet Park in West Sussex are currently in commercial use whilst the Georgian court in Bath remains a museum. Easton Neston in Northants and Fairlawne in Kent are in private ownership. Troon is also firmly on our radar as it remains in the curtilage of a Nursing Home placed in “special measures” for part of the last two years.

RESOURCES

There is clearly much going on with at least 15 potential projects underway. All involve travel, meetings and much interaction. So, whilst I am grateful to our many individual enthusiasts, if we are to succeed in the promotion of new and re-use courts, to provide a comprehensive service to each of our various prospects will need more resource, hopefully of a voluntary nature, so please do get in touch with offers as Project Champion or more generally from those with expertise in property, planning and construction matters. Simon simon@talbotscott.co.ukTalbot-WilliamsAnnualReport

2021/22

The current strategy, endorsed by the T&RA Board, is to improve the coverage for Tennis throughout the UK and to fill in the gaps. To this end, analyses have been produced for each of the 48 counties of England as well as the major cities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Whilst no new Tennis courts are under construction, we have identified realistic possibilities in nearly all of the target counties specified in the 2019 strategic review. Discussions are ongoing with the relevant institutions and in two cases negotiations are well advanced, one of these instigated by a school.

Tennis UK

La Bastide Clairence/ Euskal Real Tennis President: Cecile Alchuteguy Urrugne/Bayonne (T) +33 (0) 6 76 94 74 13

1 Tennis Court Domaine de Rocquevielle Professional: Nick Howell 107 avenue Marcel-Dassault (T) +33 (0) 7 49 37 90 71 33700 Merignac France e: pro@jeudepaumebordeaux.com (T) +33 (0) 9 73 17 74 41 www.jeudepaumebordeaux.fr

1 Trinquet Court Parc Beaumont, Contact: Denis Scotet or Isabelle Riou used for Tennis Allee Alfred de Musset (T) +33 (0) 7 69 91 05 74 / +33 (0) 6 34 26 32 05 64000 Pau France 19, Rue Bayard 64000 Pau e: jpn.secretaire@gmail.com

The Royal Tennis Court Director: David Cowburn

The Hobart Real Tennis Club (T) +61 (3) 6231 1781

The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club (T) +61 (3) 9429 8744 (F) +61 (3) 9428 3280

1 Rackets

1 Tennis Court 160 Glenfera Road (T) +61 408 571 999

2 Tennis Courts 18 Sherwood Street e: admin@rmtc.com.au Richmond, Victoria 3121

overseas

Cercle de jeu de paume (T ) +33 (0) 16 42 24 767

Jeu de Paume de Bordeaux

FRANCEAUSTRALIA InternationalAnnual Report 2021/22

Fontainebleau

The Montreal Racket Club (T) +1 (514) 849 3697 www.montrealracketclub.org Court 396 rue NARA Club Representative: Michael McLernon Montreal, Quebec H3A 1J2 e: Headmike.mclernon@colliers.comProfessional:DanFishere: mrcproshop@gmail.com

Hobart

OVERSEAS TOURS AND LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION Kingdom Tennis and Rackets Clubs or individuals who wish to take touring teams to Australia, Canada, France or the USA are asked to inform the T&RA Chief Executive BEFORE they contact the relevant governing body or the clubs. This avoids embarrassment should several groups be planning a visit at the same time. Chief Executive will also provide letters of introduction for United Kingdom players travelling overseas.

Ballarat10

Melbourne

Hobart, Tasmania 7000 Professional: Brett McFarlane (Head) www.hobarttennis.com.au

1 Tennis Court et de Racquets

Professionals: Frank Filippelli (Head), Chris Chapman (Senior Pro), Jonathan Howell (Deputy Head), Kate Leeming (Part-time) John Woods-Casey (Pro) e: pros@rmtc.com.au

President: Thierry Lievre-Cormier

1 Tennis Court 388 Larter Street, Ballarat, Victoria 3350 e: (T)President:Professional:pro@ballarattennisclub.com.auAndrewFowler(Head)www.ballarattennisclub.com.auRobertJolly+61401856797

Romsey

President: Ivan Semenoff 74ter, Rue Lauriston, Professional: Rod McNaughtan 75116, Paris e: nfo@squashjeudepaume.com France www.squashjeudepaume.com

United

The

3 Trinquet Courts e: euskalrealtennis@gmail.com used for BordeauxTennis

Romsey 3434, Victoria e: david@kilchurnwines.com.au

CANADA Montreal

The Ballarat Tennis Club (T) +61 (3) 5333 5755

1 Tennis Court de Fontainebleau, President: Thierry Bernard-Tambour Palais national, 77300, Fontainebleau Professional: Guillaume Dortu France (T) +33 (0) 67 13 35 226 e: info@paume-fontainebleau.com Paris Societe Sportive du Jeu de Paume (T) +33 (1) 47 27 46 86

Concorde

1 Tennis Court 45 Davey Street e: pro@hobarttennis.com.au

Pau Jeu de Paume de Navarre President: Simon Berry

The National Tennis Club www.tennisfame.com (T) +1 (401) 849 6672

Chicago The Racquet Club of Chicago (T) +1 (312) 787 3200 (F) +1 (312) 787 3207

The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (T) +1 (215) 735 1525 (F) +1 (215) 735 4805

NARA Club Representative: Guy Devereux e: guy.devereux@yahoo.com

1 Tennis Court Vienna, VA 22180 www.westwoodcc.com

Boston The Tennis and Racquet Club (T) +1 (617) 536 4630 (F) +1 (617) 247 1978 www.tandr.org

South Carolina PO Box 84, 146 Newberry Street SW USCTA Representative: Milton Carothers

Head Professional: Tim Chisholm e: tchisholm@thetuxedoclub.org

Professionals: James Stout (Head), Barney Tanfield (Head), Tony Hollins (Senior), Neil Smith, Adrian Kemp, Josh Dodgson (T) +1 (212) 753 9727 e : tennis@rtcny.org

New York Racquet and Tennis Club (T) +1 (212) 753 9700 (F) +1 (212) 980 7180

Professionals: Robert Whitehouse (Head), John Lumley (Asst) (T) +1 (215) 772 1544 e: courts@rcop.com

1 Rackets Court 19102 (T) +1 (212) 300 3442

Virginia 800 Maple Avenue E. Head Professional: Ivan Ronaldson

1 Tennis Court Chicago, Illinois USCTA Representative: Johnathan Lewis 60610 NARA Club Representative: Baker Thompson e: Professionals:r.baker.thompson@gmail.comJohnCashman(Head), Steve Virgona, Conor Medlow

Rhode Island 194 Bellevue Avenue, USCTA Representative: Brenda Sabbag

2 Rackets Courts 1365 North Dearborn Parkway e: pros@racquetclubchicago.org

Massachusetts 939 Boylston Street USCTA Representative: Arthur Drane

1 Rackets Court 02115 NARA Club Representative: Lucas Walsh (T) +1 (617) 216 6148 e: walsh.lucas@gmail.com

1 Rackets Court 10022 NARA Club Representative: Jonathan Larken e: jlarken@hotmail.com

1 Tennis Court Newport, Rhode Island Head Professional: Mike Gooding e: NTCpros@tennisfame.com

1 Tennis Court Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NARA Club Representative: Jeff Yager e: jyager@salientpartners.com

The Aiken Tennis Club (T) +1 (803) 648 2152 (after 5pm)

11 USA Aiken

Michigan 626 East Woodbridge (T) +1 (313) 568 0432 e: drc1902@yahoo.com

Georgian Court University USCTA Representative: Richard Moroscak, Jr

Washington DC Westwood Court Tennis (T) +1 (703) 938 5510 e: ctpros@westwoodcc.com

Detroit The Detroit Racquet Club Manager: Glenn Rivers e: glenn.rivers@gmail.com

Pennsylvania 215 South 16th Street, USCTA Representative: Peter Vogt

1 Tennis Court, New York USCTA Representatives: Xanthe Ranger e: xanthe.ranger@gmail.com

Lakewood

1 Rackets Court 10987 Club Representative: Josh Scherer e: scherer.joshua@gmail.com

New York Tuxedo Park, Tennis House (T) +1 (845) 351 7345 (F) +1 (845) 351 7309

Rackets

1 Rackets Court Detroit, Michigan NARA Club Representative: Norb Madison e: nbmadison@sbcglobal.net 48226 Rackets Professional: Steve Toseland e: stevetoseland@drc1902.com

InternationalAnnual Report 2021/22

New Jersey 990 Lakewood Avenue, Schuyler Wickes e: swickes@gcrealtennis.org (M) +1 (610) 212 43011 Tennis Court Lakewood, New Jersey Gary Barnes e: gbarnes@gcrealtennis.org Court* 08701 *Rackets Court out of use

1 Tennis Court, Boston, Massachusetts (T) +1 (617) 291 7730 e: adrane@usps.gov

Philadelphia

Manhasset

Assistant Professionals: Leon Smart, Marie Alexandre Leduc

New York 370 Park Avenue, USCTA Representatives: Zachary Sacks, Dan Laukitis, Rahul Vinnakota

Tuxedo Park The Tuxedo Club (T) +1 (845) 351 4791 www.thetuxedoclub.org

1 Tennis NewportCourt

The Greentree Court, All enquiries to USCTA Representative: Peter Di Bonaventura, Long Island Manhasset, New York (private court) 212 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT 06612 e: racintoday@aol.com

2 Tennis Courts New York, New York e: laukitis@gmail.com

1 Tennis Court Aiken, South Carolina President: Michael Sullivan 29802 Professional: Trey Bogue e: aikentennisclub@gmail.com

2* professionals in BOLD Tennis UK TENNIS UK Annual Report 2021/22

Address and telephone number Hon Sec (S) Fixture Sec (F) Professional(s) (PT = part-time)

Bristol Real Tennis Club

Clifton College Playing Fields, Mr P Moss (S) B Taylor-Matthews (Head Pro)

Hatfield, Herts AL9 5NF London N2 0HU (T) (01707) 273391 (M) 07922 249795 e: pros@hhtc.co.uk e: jamesbarlow20@hotmail.com www.hatfieldhouserealtennis.com

Andrews (F) e: stujohnandrews@yahoo.com

Abbots Leigh Road, (T) (0117) 971 1418 B Coleman

Bristol BS8 3QD e: phjamoss@outlook.com (T) (0117) 973 3444 e: www.bristolrealtennisclub.comemail@bristolrealtennisclub.org.ukStuart

Cambridge CB3 9DJ Christine Marrian (F) P Paterson (Assistant Pro) (2 Courts) (T) (01223) 357106 e: curtc.fixtures@gmail.com A Phillips (self employed) www.curtc.net www.curtc.net J Ludekens (IiP Trainee) e: curtcpros@gmail.com

12Court

Canford School Wimborne Minster, Dorset J Ryan (F) J Ryan (Head Pro) BH21 3AD e: jrar@canford.com V Hamilton (Trainee) (T) (01202) 881232 e: jrar@canford.com D Neill (S) www.canfordtennisclub.co.uk Master-in-Charge www.canford.com/open-to c/o Canford School -thepublic/real-tennis-and Canford Magna, Wimborne -squash Dorset BH21 3AD (T) (01202) 847505 e: dn@canford.com

Tennis Club Falkland, Fife KY15 7BU Lawview, Strathallan, www.falklandtennis.wordpress.com Forgandenny, Perthshire. PH2 9EG (M) 07514 672697 e: ewanslee@gmail.com

Real Tennis Club

The Hyde Tennis Club Walditch, Bridport, Terry Hand J Brodie (Head Pro) Dorset DT6 4LB e: tfhand@aol.com S Grier (Club Manager) (T) (01308) 420777 Ros Clark (F) e: clubpro@hyderealtennis.co.uk e: alrosclark@gmail.com www.hyderealtennis.co.uk As for court Level

Hardwick House Whitchurch, Reading, Sarah McGivern (S) Berks RG8 7RB 10 Pound Meadow, Sherfield on Loddon, (Please post all mail to Hon Sec) Hook, Hampshire RG27 0EP (H) 01256 880381 (M) 07860 232146 e: sarah@samcg.co.uk B Lambert (F) (H) (01491) 874299 (M) 07174 356485 e: hardwickfix@gmail.com

Cambridge University

Hatfield House c/o Fore Street Lodge, J Barlow (S) J S Dawes (Head Pro) Tennis Club

Jackie Sherman (F) e: (M)jas4@talktalk.net07971680367

Holyport Street, Holyport, J Smith (F) J Smith (Head Pro)

Grange Road, Kees Ludekens (S) K Ludekens (Head Pro)

Hatfield HouseO 11 Edmunds Walk , J Law (Assistant Pro)

Holyport

Real Tennis Club Maidenhead, Berks SL6 2JR As for court (T) (01628) 673964 e: pros@hrtc.co.uk e: www.hrtc.co.ukpros@hrtc.co.uk

Falkland Palace Royal Falkland Palace Tennis Court Ewan Lee (S )

IiP

MCC The Tennis Court, Graeme Marks (F) C Bray (Head Pro)

B Taylor-Matthews (F) www.leamingtonrealtennis.co.uk

The Newmarket Fitzroy Street, Newmarket J Belcher (F) A Knibbs Real Tennis Club Suffolk CB8 0JT (M) 07738 784594 (M) 07074 268787 (T & F) (01638) 666612 e: becher510@btinternet.com As for court e:

The Oratory The Sports Centre, Mark Candlish R Fahey (Head Pro) Real Tennis Club The Oratory School, Woodcote, e: admin@ortc.uk C Fahey (Head of racquets, Reading, Berks RG8 0PJ Oratory School) (M) 07375 898995 L Gale e: pros@ortc.uk N Cherry (IiP Trainee) www.ortc.uk Level

13 Tennis UK

Real Tennis Club Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3RE (M) 07768 147080 S Harris (Admin) (T) (0191) 281 6854 e: ar.sanderson@btinternet.com As for court e: club@jdrtc.co.uk Z Eadle (Assistant Pro) www.jdrtc.co.uk

Moreton Morrell Moreton Morrell, Warwick, Tony Branfield (S) T Granville

IiP

Court Address and telephone number Hon Sec (S) Fixture Sec (F) Professional(s) (PT = part-time)

www.newmarketrealtennis.clubpros@newmarketrealtennis.club

As for court

Club St John’s Wood, (H&W) (020) 7722 1135 London NW8 8QN (020) 7586 1063 (M) 07768 611493 (T) (020) 7616 8685 e: graememarks@yahoo.co.uk e: tennisandsquash@mcc.org.uk

Marylebone Cricket MCC, Lord’s Ground 4a Woronzow Road, London NW8 6QE C Swallow (Assistant Pro)

Tennis Court Club Warks CV35 9AL 40 Railway Crescent As for court (T) (01926) 651229 Shipston-on-Stour L Pettiford (Assistant Pro) e: pro@mmtcc.org Warwickshire www.mmtcc.org (M) 07714 245396 e: tony.branfield@gmail.com

The Manchester Tennis 33 Blackfriars Road, Salford 3 Jamie Bebb (S) S Heap (General Manager) and Racquet Club Manchester M3 7AQ 106 Talfourd Road S J Brockenshaw (Head Pro) (T) (0161) 834 0616/ 241 9260 London D Long (Senior Pro) (F) (0161) 834 4909 SE15 5NZ As for court e: manager@mtrc.co.uk (M) 07947 859954 e: professional@mtrc.co.uk Carl Hamill (F) www.mtrc.co.uk e: hamill747@yahoo.co.uk

2* professionals in BOLD Annual Report 2021/22

The Leamington 50 Bedford Street, F Dixon (S) L Williams (Head Pro) Tennis Court Club Leamington Spa, As for court C Aley (Assistant Pro) Warks CV32 5DT (T) (01926) 424977 e: tenniscourtclub@hotmail.com

Middlesex University Middlesex University Real Tennis Club Real Tennis Court The Burroughs e: pros@murtc.co.uk W Burns (Head Pro) Hendon (T) (020) 8457 9568 J Taylor (Trainee) NW4 4BT J Harrington (F) (T) (020) 8457 9568 (M) 07734 054126 e: pros@murtc.co.uk e: harrington2btconnect.com www.murtc.co.uk

Jesmond Dene Matthew Bank, Jesmond, Richard Sanderson (S)(F) M Eadle (Head Pro)

The Prested Hall Prested Hall, Feering Chase, Mark Hobbs M Hobbs (Head Pro)

Radley College c/o Sports Centre, Radley College, Master-in-Charge C J Ronaldson (Head Pro) Tennis Court Radley Abingdon, Oxon OX14 2HU M F Dean N Merola (T) (01235) 543176 e: mfd@radley.org.uk As for court e: cjr@radley.org.uk (H) (01235) 202973 www.radleyrealtennis.wordpress.com

Wellington Real Dukes Ride (T) (01344) 444245 Pro Shop D Jones (Head Pro)

West Berkshire A Machin (IiP Trainee) RG45 7PU e: DPJ@wellingtonfitness.co.uk www.wellingtonrealtennis.co.uk e: realtennis@wellingtonfitness.co.uk

The Royal Tennis Court Hampton Court Palace, P Newton (S) N C Wood (Head Pro) East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU e: paulnewton2@live.com 69 Tennis Court Lane (M) 07764 471702 Giles Doy (F) Hampton Court Palace (T) (020) 8977 3015 As for court S Blaber e: info@royaltenniscourt.com e: RTCFixtures@gmail.com A L P Ronaldson (PT) www.royaltenniscourt.com J Josephs

IiP Level 2* professionals in BOLD Tennis UK TENNIS UK Annual Report 2021/22

Oxford University c/o Merton College, Merton Street Neil Mortensen (S) A J Davis (Head Pro)

Address and telephone number Hon Sec (S) Fixture Sec (F) Professional(s) (PT = part-time)

Racket Club Feering, Nr Kelvedon, Essex CO5 9EE As per court As for court (2 courts) (T) (01376) 570220 e: www.prested.co.ukbookings@prestedtennisclub.co.uk

Petworth House Estate Yard, Petworth House, J Petersen (S) T Durack (Head Pro)

Court14

Tennis Court

Tennis Club Crowthorne (M) 07471 905661 A Player (Senior Pro)

The Queen’s Club Palliser Road, London W14 9EQ A Drayson (F) B Ronaldson (Head Pro) (2 courts) (T) (020) 73863405 (M) 07812 024434 B D Sayers e: rackets@queensclub.co.uk e: fieldhouse248@me.com N Mackenzie e: www.queensclub.co.ukrealtennis@queensclub.co.uk

Seacourt Tennis Club 20 Victoria Avenue, Hayling Island, (T) (023) 92466122 A Lyons (Head Pro) Hants PO11 9AJ e: reception@seacourt.com As per court www.seacourt.com

Tennis Court Oxford OX1 4JD (M) 07711 161649 C Greenhalgh (T) (01865) 244212 e: del636@yahoo.co.uk e: pros@outc.org.uk As for court www.outc.org.uk Craig Greenhalgh (F) As for court

Petworth, Sussex GU28 0DU Pear Tree Cottage Beech Hill, L Gordon (T) (01798) 343527 Hambledon As for court e: phtprofessionals@outlook.com Surrey T Armstrong (IiP Trainee) www.petworthrealtennis.com GU8 4HL e: jonepetersen@gmail.com C Swan (F) e: (T)christopher.swan@rathbones.com(01256)389158

Court16

M Briers Cheltenham College, Bath Road Matt Coley Cheltenham College, Bath Road College R Horn Cheltenham Glos GL53 7LD (M) 07867505718 Cheltenham Glos GL53 7LD (M) 07717 457204 (T) (O) (01242) 265600 e: m.briers@cheltenhamcollege.org (M) 07771 988935 e: m.coley@cheltenhamcollege.org

Malvern College N A Brett College Road, Malvern, (2 Courts) Worcs WR14 3DF (T) (Courts) (01684) 581639 (T) (School) (01685) 581500 e: nab@malcol.org e: nab@malverncollege.org.uk

Haileybury G Tyndall Haileybury College, Jocelyn Jennings Haileybury College, College Haileybury, Hertford Haileybury, Hertford SG13 7NU SG13 7NU (M) 07872 559506 e: j.jennings@haileybury.com (T) (Court) (01992) 706371 e: g.tyndall@haileybury.com

Harrow School J M Eaton 33 West Street, P J Warfield Cairnryan, (2 courts) Harrow-on-the-Hill, Harrow Park, Middlesex HA1 3EG Harrow-on-the-Hill, (T) (H) (020) 8422 3298 Middlesex HA1 3JE (T) (Court) (020) 8872 8227 (T) (020) 8872 8202 (T) (School) (020) 8872 8000 e: pjw@harrowschool.org.uk e: rackets@harrowschool.org.uk

Eton College P Brake Eton College, Richard Montgomerie 1 Willow Place (2 courts) Windsor SL4 6DW Eton, (T) (Court) (01753) 370473 Berkshire SL4 6HJ (M) 07900 306044 (M) 07917 132414 e: p.brake@etoncollege.org.uk

M J Crosby (T) (Court) (01483) 291655 A G Johnson c/o Brooke Hall, School (T) (School) (01483) 291671 Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX (2 courts) e: mjc@charterhouse.org.uk (T) (W) (01483) 291671 e: agi@charterhouse.org.uk

Charterhouse

BRNC Dartmouth The Sports Officer Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0HJ (W) (01803) 832141 Ext 7016

Clifton College R Williams Clifton College, Clifton, R Williams 32 College Road, Bristol BS8 3JH Clifton, Bristol BS8 3JH (T) (School) (0117) 315 7000 e: rcjwilliams1@hotmail.com (T) (Court) (0117) 315 7279 (M) 07779 248666

RACKETS UK Annual Report 2021/22

Professional(s) Address and telephone number Master-in-Charge Address and telephone number

The Manchester S J Brockenshaw 33 Blackfriars Road, Salford 3 S M Heap (Manager) e: manager@mtrc.co.uk Tennis and Manchester M3 7AQ Racquet Club (T) (0161) 834 0616/ 834 4909 e: professional@mtrc.co.uk

Marlborough R H Wakely c/o The Rackets Court, M Bush (M) 07773 901484 College Marlborough College, e: mplb@marlborough.org (2 courts) Marlborough, Wilts SN8 1PA (W & court) (01672) 892491 (M) 07967 557036 e: rhw@marlboroughcollege.orgRacketsUK

Cheltenham

Wellington R Tulley Wellington College, C M Oliphant-Callum Wellington College, College Crowthorne, Berks RG45 7PU Crowthorne, Berks RG45 7PU (T) (Court) (01344) 444251 (T) (01344) 444145 e: rst@wellingtoncollege.org.uk e: cmoc@wellingtoncollege.org.uk

Tonbridge D J Makey 10, Cedar Crescent, Leo Walsh School Tonbridge, (2 Courts) Kent TN10 3QW (M) 07968438976 (M) 07941 518686 e: leo.walsh@tonbridge-school.org e: djm@tonbridge-school.org

Winchester T E R Cawston c/o The Rackets Courts, College Winchester College, Winchester (2 Courts) Hants SO23 9LX (T) (Court) (01962) 621137 (T) (College) (01962) 621200 (M) 07930 381707 e: terc@wincoll.ac.ukRacketsUK

RMA Sandhurst Major C M S Lytle The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey GU15 4PQ e: max.lytle235@mod.uk A Lyons 20 Victoria Avenue, Hayling Island, Tennis Club Hants PO11 9AJ (T) (02392) 466122

Annual Report 2021/22

Court Professional(s) Address and telephone number Master-in-Charge Address and telephone number

The Queen’s Club B Ronaldson Palliser Road (2 courts) B C Bomford London W14 9EQ (Head Professional) (T) (020) 7386 3405 e: rackets@queensclub.co.uk

Radley College J Rock 6 Walled Gardens, Kyle Willis-Stovold Radley Abingdon,CollegeOxon OX14 2HR (T) (W) (01235) 543000 e: JCR.Rock@radley.org.uk

Rugby School Gapped Oak Street Will Nicholl The Senior Common Room (2 courts) Rugby, CV22 5EA (M) 07792923150 (T) 01788 556229 e: wdn@rugbyschool.net

Seacourt

St Paul’s School S Tulley St Paul’s School, Lonsdale Road, Dr E A Beesley St Paul’s School Barnes, London SW13 9JT e: EAB@stpaulsschool.org.uk (T) (School) (020) 87489162 (M) 07972 037095 (T) (Court) (020) 8746 5314 e: steve.tulley@stpaulsschool.org.uk

e:CB3CambridgeGrangeLUDEKENSRoad9DJpros@curtc.net

Wellington Rackets and Real Tennis Dukes e:(T)RG45WestCrowthorneRideBerkshire7PU(01344)444245realtennis@wellingtonfitness.co.uk

The Haphazard TOM ROBERTSON e: tom@tomrobertson.org

Malvernian Society Ltd Malvern College Malvern, Worcs WR14 3DF e: malsoc@malcol.org

The Brigands Tennis Club (Tennis)

The Army Tennis & Rackets Association CAPTAIN OLLY SNELL e: snello846@mod.uk

e:DT6BridportRaxMulberryMALLINSONHouseLaneDorset3JJguy@mallinson.co.uk

KATIE LEPPARD 43 Southfield Road, Oxford. OX4 1NX (M) 07979 525 932 e: chairman@ladiesrealtennis.com

Old Harrovian Real Tennis and Rackets Association SIMON e:(M)SP5Salisbury,EbbesbourneMeadowROUNDELLCottageWakeWiltshire5JB07904409671sroundell@gmail.com

Sun Court Tennis Club 8 KA10Irvine,BlavenheadAryshire1KF

Harrow (Tennis)

Westminster School Head of Station Little Deans Yard London, SW1P 3PF

e:(M)SP5Salisbury,EbbesbourneMeadowROUNDELLCottageWakeWiltshire5JB07904409671sroundell@gmail.com

Harrow (Rackets)

Old Wykehamist Tennis and Rackets Association Flat 4 No. 5 Gwendwr Road W14London9BA Oxford (University Tennis) ANDREW J DAVIS c/o Merton College, Merton Street Oxford OX1 4JD e: real-tennis.club@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk

SIMON

Bryanston Bumblebees (Tennis)

Clifton Boasters (Rackets)

Charterhouse Monks (Rackets)

JESTERS (Tennis) ADAM DOLMAN (M) 07977 296896 e: adamdolman@yahoo.co.uk

The Hurlingham Club TONY DUTTON e: tony.dutton@hurlinghamclub.org.uk

CURTC (University Tennis)

The Ladies’ Real Tennis Association

Dutch Real Tennis Association Sweelinckplein 19A The Hague, 2517 GM e:NETHERLANDSluciedd@planet.nl

MALCOLM THORP (M) 07785 265 651 e: mt59@btinternet.com

Grays of Cambridge Int. Ltd Station Road, Robertsbridge East Sussex, TN32 5DH

TOMMY FABER Hartham Park Stické Tennis Club Hartham Park, Corsham Wiltshire, SN13 0RP Honourable Artillery Company Tennis and Rackets Club c/o MR A ANDERSON Armoury House, City Road. London EC1Y 2BQ e: alexander.i.anderson@gmail.com

JESTERS (Rackets) ALASTAIR GOURLAY (H) (020) 73813403 e: alastair@parkdrivepictures.com

Old Etonian Racquets & Tennis Club

JAMES (M)e:BucksElmPuttenhamBINGHAMPlaceFarmRoad,PennHP108LEjambingham@hotmail.com07904092821

The Dedanists’ Society JOSH FARRALL 12 Putman Henley-on-Thames.PLace Oxon RG9 1BZ (M) 07990 857 912 e: johnfarrall@iib

MARTIN J CROSBY Brooke Hall, Charterhouse, Hurtmore Godalming,Road,Surrey GU7 2DX (W) (01483) 291655 e: mjc@charterhouse.org.uk

The Tiverton Real Tennis Club MIKE SEYMOUR 4 St Aubyn’s Park, Tiverton, Devon EX16 4JG (H) (01884) 259200 Tonbridge (Rackets)

Wykeham Rackets (Monday) Club NEALE TURNER e: neale.turner@btinternet.ccm

Wykeham Rackets (Wednesday) Club TIM e:SP6DamerhamCrosswaysBOLTON-CARTERHouse3EUTim.BoltonCarter@gmail.com

KEES

JAMES BLACKBURN e: jamesandrewblackburn@gmail.com

GUY

GEORGE E NODDER e: george.nodder@gmail.com

RUPERT OWEN-BROWNE (H) (01825) 830078 (M) 07917 357620 e: rupertob@me.com Tonbridge (Tennis)

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Church Road, Wimbledon London, SW19 5AE

CORPORATE MEMBERS, SCHOOLS, ALUMNI & OTHERS Annual Report 2021/22

As also mentioned elsewhere, the Investors in Professionals programme has had a successful launch and inception. It has now to address a consequence of that success namely how to help those apprentices when they complete their apprenticeships. This is being considered by the programme under the continuing help and facilitation of John Whiting.

...the T&RA and clubs have had to remain sensitive to, and bear in mind, continuing Covid issues when holding competitions and play generally.

In last year’s report I repeated the hope that we could return to a full season’s competition for 2021/22 and put the covid restrictions behind us when, in England & Wales, they were formally lifted on 19 July 2021. That has pleasingly been the case although of course the T&RA and clubs have had to remain sensitive to, and bear in mind, continuing covid issues when holding competitions and play generally. The other articles and reports in our Annual Report are testament to the resurgence in play since then.

In parallel to these activities the T&RA office and volunteers continue to keep the game running and operating day to day. Whilst it can be invidious to name individuals [particularly as I will inevitably omit someone I should mention] these include the production of the annual fixtures schedule [Simon Flynn], the coordination and liaison with other national games committees and the like to run the various international competitions [Ronald Paterson], the British and World juniors [Paul Weaver] and updating the Pol/Field/Brodie rules [Ronald and Brendan Hegarty]. As ever my thanks to them and all the other volunteers who keep our game going.

Investing in Professionals update

Importantly the IiP and their mentors are working with them in this venture. Nat Cherry is in the early months of his time at the Oratory and Tim Armstrong has just started at Petworth, the first apprentice under Tranche 2 We are also delighted to announce that the first apprentice on the programme, Jack Josephs, has moved to a full-time role at RTC, and continues to make excellent progress.

The programme is delighted to report there are currently four IiP apprentices in training at four different clubs. Alex Machin (Wellington) and Jim Ludekens (Cambridge) are currently edging towards the end of their training and are considering their next steps.

Another TC sub committee, of Chris Lintott and Owen Saunders, continues with the task of updating and

Finally, the support of the professional community to make this happen has continued to be significant, inspirational and positive. Many of the more senior professionals are working on improving their credentials and targeting higher levels of accreditation, all of which takes time.

Time moves on and the programme is now actively looking at the next apprentices for Tranche 2 and already lining up future apprentices for new hosts. The intention is to broaden the hosts and continue to expand the Theprogramme.Boardand OCIP are grateful for the support of the T&RA and RCC, who have both fully committed to the first three years of the IiP programme. The Tennis Community in the UK are fully committed beyond this initial period. Of course, this does lead back to the support of the T&RA membership as well as the many of you who have subscribed to the RCC.

Vigrass, Chairman of The Tennis

Of these whilst the news about the closure of Middlesex currently scheduled by the University in 2026 was so sad, it did at least result in a piece in a Times editorial about our game – which must be a first.

Chris Committee

I should also mention that a sub committee has been set up to consider what the impact might be if graphite racquets were to be manufactured and sold at scale on, inter alia, the game generally, clubs, pros and the games relationship with Grays. It is likely to be in a position to report early next year.

The Tennis Committee continues to meet, primarily by Zoom, and it has considered the many topics in the past year including Middlesex University RTC, identifying the priorities and tasks the Tennis Committee and the T&RA should focus on [through a ‘poll’ of club chairmen and pros], the introduction of prototype graphite racquets in the USA made by Harrow, eye protection and streaming.

Annual Report 2021/22

improving Real Tennis Online and to promote future resilience and permit improvements. This has not proceeded as speedily as we had hoped, primarily due to health issues of others, but we hope that by the year end it will be completed.

Tennis UK

20 Katie Leppard, Chairman of The Ladies Real Tennis Association Tennis UK

• We ran a very successful Ladies British Open at Seacourt in April 2022 after two years without it. Claire Fahey retained her British Open singles title and her British Open doubles title with her sister Sarah Shuckburgh.

• Encourage all women at your clubs to sign up for our matches and tournaments

bsence makes the heart grow fonder and that has certainly been the case this year as we have returned to play a full season of Tennis. We have very much enjoyed reconnecting with clubs, pros and members in the UK and beyond. We may have had a few disruptions, illness and a lot of covid caution to deal with, but almost all of our fixtures this season went ahead despite covid’s best attempts to stop us, which is fantastic. Some highlights during the year:

• Sponsor a match, event or tournament

• Our British Handicap Tournament at Prested in November included a celebration of our 40 years as an Association. The standard of women’s Tennis has certainly improved over the last 40 years and the LRTA has evolved with developments in their own sponsorship, technology, website, merchandise and branding. We are looking forward to the next 40 years to see how much further we can progress to benefit the women’s game.

• Claire Fahey retained her world championship title defeating Lea Van Der Zwalmen in Fontainebleau in April 2022. Claire has held the ladies world title since 2011 which is a phenomenal achievement and we salute her. We are excited to be hosting the next World Championships in the UK in April 2023 and we cannot wait to showcase the very best of the women’s game on our home turf.

• We continue to work closely with the Dedanists’ Academy and other partners developing initiatives to focus on junior •Tennis.Weare proud to be a diamond patron of the Dedanists’ WeFoundation.wouldlike to congratulate all our tournament winners over our 2021/22 season and a big thank you to everyone who participated in our fixtures, we have had a lot of fun at a variety of clubs around the country. Thank you to all the clubs who have hosted us. Sponsorship Sponsorship has been a little more challenging this year, especially for the junior tournaments, some of which have been without. We are keen to find some replacements to enable us to continue to provide these important competitive opportunities. Please do get in touch if you can help us. As ever, we are indebted to our existing sponsors namely Peter Luck-Hille, Addison Law Solicitors, The Jesters, Champagne Pol Roger, The Dedanists’ Society and our anonymous donors. Thank you all for your generosity over another difficult year and for helping us to promote womens’ Tennis. Committee and volunteers I cannot write an annual report without a special mention for our terrific committee, all of whom play a vital and often unsung role carrying out important and necessary work for the LRTA. They give a lot of time voluntarily and I am hugely grateful for their support and input; together we make a real difference. We have had a few changes on the committee this year - Georgie Willis was co-opted as Secretary and we said goodbye to Linda Fairbrother, our fixtures secretary, after 12 years on the committee. We were also delighted to appoint a new Honorary Auditor, Vicky Rogers at our AGM in April. I am extremely grateful to those on our subcommittees, our match and tournament managers, club representatives and volunteers – without you the LRTA would simply not function.

• We have run some well attended junior events and would like to congratulate all our talented players with special mention to Cesca Sweet, Felicity Riddall Bell and Lydia Compton-Burnett who have all deservedly won junior tournament titles this year.

• We continued to run regular junior Tennis clinics through the season for a variety of ages, mainly based at The Oratory but going further a field where we have a group who would benefit from Claire Fahey’s coaching. Together we aim to build on the pool of talented juniors engaging with Tennis and forming friendship groups to bring on the next generation under our LRTA Academy.

• Offer the most precious thing, your time - we always welcome volunteers, good initiatives, and feedback We are excited for the new season which will be action packed. In addition to our LRTA fixtures we are delighted that, for the first time, there will be a Ladies Bathurst Cup alongside the men’s event in the autumn. We then have the excitement and build up to the Ladies World Championships in the spring which will be the pinnacle of this coming year.

• Our membership has increased steadily through the year; we always welcome new members.

• Become a LRTA member for as little as £10 per annum –women and men, young and old are all welcome

• Follow us on social media and help to raise awareness

• Make a donation for girls or womens’ Tennis

We have a lot to look forward to, do you join us!

T&RA members can also support us, here are a number of ways you can do so:

Annual Report 2021/22

• We have continued to promote all levels of women’s Tennis and have provided a range of tournaments and matches that cater for everyone, encouraging participation across the board.

21 Situ ARCHITECTURE • URBANISM • LANDSCAPE Cranleigh School Masterplan KAIG Lake Mulshi, Pune Selmun Palace Hotel, Malta Middle East EuropeIndiaUnited Kingdom 2nd FLOOR WEST, APEX, READING, BERKS, RG1 1AX WWW.SITUPLAN.CO.UK • +44 (0)118 449 2030

DuringAchievementsthePast

With considerable funding from the Foundation they held a very successful Junior Open Day.

British U18’s Handicap Singles 2021 Sponsored by The Dedanists’ Foundation

Tennis UKAnnual Report 2021/22

250 flyers were designed by Tory Wall and printed by the Foundation to help advertise the event. These flyers were sent to local schools and posted on social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As a result, seven youngsters were recruited who had never played Real Tennis before.

Prizes were presented by Paul Weaver (Director of Junior Tennis UK and Dedanists’ Foundation Ambassador). He took the opportunity to thank

Max receiving the U18 Handicap Singles trophy from Paul Weaver

During the October school half-term break in Autumn 2021, the Dedanists’ Foundation coordinated a major campaign to introduce a new batch of junior players into clubs to experience Real Tennis for the first time. Encouragingly, most of the clubs involved were courts that had previously had little or no junior activity.

Year

TheDEDANISTS’22FOUNDATIONInthepast12months,wehavecontinuedtogiveoursupportforjuniorRealTennisdevelopmentatclubsaroundthecountry,WeaimtoassistintheformationanddeliveryoftheirjuniorTennisprogrammesaimedatattractingnewjuniorplayersintothegamewithparticularemphasisonenthusingyoungstersfromstateschoolbackgrounds.Aswellasthesupportwealreadygivetomanyclubs,wehavealsostartednewinitiativesatCanford,Leamington,andBristol.

The Dedanists’ Foundation for their sponsorship of the event and for all the other good work that the Foundation does for Junior Tennis.

We are a grant-giving charity (No.1145526) whose sole aim is to increase the number of young people, from all backgrounds, playing Real Tennis.

The 12 youngsters with the highest handicaps played on Saturday in the “B” competition. For many of them, it was their first taste of tournament play and there were many closefought matches.The final of the “B” competition was between two young players from Wellington, Lila HueWilliams and Seb Edwards, and was won by Seb 8/3. The main competition took place on Sunday with players from many clubs taking part. 10 year old Max Warner qualified through to the final to play last year’s winner Cesca Sweet. The final produced yet another comeback from young Max who came back from 3-6 down to win the match and the tournament 8/6.

An amazing total of 42 new junior players, (including 17 girls) aged from 5-14 attended these events and all of those who played have signed up for follow-up sessions at the club.

By David Mills, Chairman

Open Days - A great half-term for Junior Tennis! At Bristol, Moreton Morrell & The Oratory

Moreton Morrell, with our financial support and advice, organised its first Junior Open Day in October 2021.

There was an excellent entry of 21 juniors for the 2021 Handicap Singles event held at the Wellington court over the weekend of 18th/19th December.

At Bristol Chris Ronaldson and Maggie Henderson-Tew had a 6-month secondment to revive the fortunes of the Bristol club. One of their priorities was to create an active new junior section. To help achieve this they turned to the Dedanists’ Foundation for help and guidance.

TennisWeaverUK

By Josh Farrall, Graham Tomkinson & Paul

Development Squad

Senior Squad Stef King Junior Squad Julian Wilkinson Squad Directors

24 The British Real Tennis Academy 2021/22 Dedanists’ Society Report

For Academy 2021/2, we made significant changes to player selection and programme management. In terms of player selection, because covid had reduced our opportunities to see and assess players in action in recent years, we relaxed selection criteria in order to widen the net as much as possible. In terms of programme management, we recruited new people in order to spread the load, introduce new ideas and apply more focus to planning the development of players. Paul Weaver took over administration of the Academy programme as a whole. Squad directors took over the set up and management of coaching days and development plans for their squad of players. High Performance Squad Graham Tomkonson

The Dedanists Society

Academy 2021/2

The UK playersforcoachingnationalprogrammethebestyounginthecountry.

he British Real Tennis Academy is the UK national coaching programme for the best young players in the country. It is run by the Dedanists Society and funded by the Society and the T&RA. Each year, it typically selects 25 or so young players who are a mix of amateurs and professionals, men and women from 12 to 25 years of age. Players are selected from across all clubs on the basis of match play results, commitment, potential and the recommendation of their club head professional. The Academy curriculum includes Real Tennis strokeplay, matchplay, physical training, nutrition and sports psychology. Players are streamed into squads according to age and proficiency. Coaching of the High Performance Squad, the lowest handicap players, is delivered via individual one-on-one coaching sessions. Coaching to all other squads is delivered via a mix of group coaching and match play days at Queen’s, Oratory, Wellington and Middlesex - and additional private sessions for players with the highest potential. The Society works with the Department of Sport Sciences at Brunel University to ensure that the design and content of Academy programmes include current research and best practice from the wider world of elite sport. The Society funds programmes that support and complement Academy coaching. It sponsors junior tournaments that engage and motivate players and coaches such as the World Junior, the British Under 21 & 24 and the British Girls Under 15 & 19 championships. It includes IiP apprentices in its Academy coaching sessions. It helps the LRTA to fund its newly-launched Girls’ Academy.

Squad Directors Graham Tomkinson, Stef King, Mike Henman, Nick Warner.

Tennis Coaches Chris Bray, Rob Fahey, Claire Fahey, Dan Jones, Andrew Lyons, Ben Ronaldson, Bryn Sayers, Ben Taylor-Matthews. Physical Training Andy Chinneck. Sports Psychology Aura Goodman, Alex Lucas. Diet & Nutrition Tracy Parker

. Programme Management & Coaches Operations Manager Paul Weaver

Mike Henman Cadet Squad Nick Warner

Microtactics Tennis coaches plus Graham Tomkinson. Academy Chairman Josh Farrall

During 2021/22, we delivered 19 squad coaching days and a further 50+ sessions of individual one-on-one coaching to 25 core Academy players plus 8 reserves and 3 IIP apprentices. The game is beholden to all clubs with the drive and capacity to recruit and develop the young players who represent the future of Real Tennis and from whom Academy players are selected.

Annual Report 2021/22

HIGH PERFORMANCE SQUAD AGE 19 - 25 (June 2022)

JUNIOR SQUAD AGE 16 - 17 (June 2022)

Warner, Max 52.1 14.7 Queen’s Garson, Laszlo 52.9 12.1 Welligton Nottingham, Algernon 56.4 7.6 Wellington Blackburn, Albert 48.5 9.9 Hyde, Canford Garson, Ambrose 50.7 1.3 Radley

Number PlayersAcademyof Clubs 6 Radley 5 Queen’s 5 Wellington 3 Seacourt 2 Petworth, Canford 1 Cambridge Uni, Hyde, Jesmond Dene, Manchester, Oratory, Oxford, RTC

Club

van der Zwalmen, Lea 15.3 1.2 Queen’s, Bordeaux

CADET SQUAD AGE 11 -15 (June 2022)

Notable

For High Performance squad players, match results are more informative and important. Handicap may not be the only valid measure of a player’s performance but it is certainly clear and objective. Typically, the rate of a player’s handicap improvement is not constant. It varies from year to year depending upon practice, coaching and the adoption, or not, of fundamental changes in technique, fitness and mental strength. A player’s handicap may deteriorate in the short term while he or she is adopting new methods for longer term benefit.

25 Tennis UK

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD AGE 16 - 17 (June 2022)

British Junior Singles Championship Winners Under 24 William Flynn Under 21 William Flynn Under 19 Girls Cesca Sweet Under 18 Max Trueman Under 16 Bertie Vallat Under 14 Max Warner Junior World Rankings, May 2022 Under 18 Academy dominates top 5:1. M Trueman. 2. J Medlow. 4. B Vallat. 5. H Henman Tournaments & World Rankings at June 2022

Robert Shenkman World # 19. Last 16, US Open 2022. National League Div 1, most valuable player. Levi Gale World # 20 (was # 89 at season start). National League Div 1, second most valuable player. Lea van der Zwalmen Ladies World Championship, finalist. French Amateur Singles, finalist. William Flynn Youngest ever player, British Open Singles, main draw. Max Trueman / James Medlow Youngest ever winners of a National League Division. Florent Brethon Finalist, Raquette d’ Or, Amateur Doubles, France. Winner, Raquette d’ Argent, Amateur Handicap Singles.

Note: University and school players are also credited to their home club.

Shenkman, Robert 2.4 0.6 Manchester Gale, Levi * 3.4 7.0 Oratory

Player JuneHandicap2022 thanBetter/(Worse)HandicapJune2021

SENIOR SQUAD AGE 17 - 23 (June 2022)

AcademyAchievements2021/22

Parsons, George 33.4 7.3 RTC Sweet, Willem 35.2 7.4 Wellington Hetherington, Tom 36 Jesmond Sweet, Cesca 49.4 10 Wellington Barton, Toby 48.7 8.3 Petworth, Wellington

Flynn, William 12.8 2.8 Seacourt

Vallat, Bertie 19.8 14.7 Queen’s Henman, Henry 20.4 8.7 Radley Brethon, Florent 26.2 8.8 injured France, Radley Garson, Magnus 29.6 0.1 Radley Rossiter, James 29.8 0.1 Queen’s

Congratulations to Radley, Queen’s, Wellington and Seacourt on being the home club and primary developer of so many young players in the Academy.

Trueman, Max 14.2 9.7 Seacourt Yorston, Benedict 14.2 4.8 Radley, Oxford Uni Medlow, James 16.4 11.5 Seacourt Taylor, Oliver 19.6 4.6 Petworth MacDonald, Ivo 20 Queen’s Cambridge Uni

* Professional player - all others are amateurs The handicaps of 64% of Academy players improved significantly over the last 12 months. An annual improvement of 7 points is a good performance for higher handicap players and an improvement of 4 points is good for those with lower handicaps.

Annual Report 2021/22

Academy Players 2021/22

As things in the Real Tennis world return to normal, the Junior Championships reverted back to the Queen’s Club over the weekend of August 20th-22nd.

British Junior Championship

The U16’s final was a head to head between two other extremely promising youngsters, Henry Henman (Radley) and Bertie Vallat (Queen’s). These two 15 year olds put on a great display of Tennis with the title eventually going to Bertie in the 3rd set.

U14 Max Warner bt Charlie Grainger 6/0 6/0 U16 Bertie Vallat bt Henry Henman 5/6 6/0 6/3 U18 Max Trueman bt James Rossiter 6/1

28 2021/22 TENNIS MATCH REPORTS ‘21August

The U18 final was expected to be a clash between the top two U18 players in the world, Max Trueman & James Medlow (both Seacourt). However James, who is still struggling with the after effects of a complicated broken leg, had to pull out in the group stages. This left James Rossiter (Queen’s) in with a chance, but Max was just too strong for him in a hard fought final.

The after effects of all courts being closed for 18 months reflected in the fact that we had only one entry for the U12 competition. However, entries for the rest of the event were pretty much as normal and Max Warner (age 10) who was deprived of a chance to win the U12’s went on to play in the U14’s, winning 6/0 6/0! Max is easily the youngest player ever to win the U14 event and should have a great future in the game, remember the name!

Real6/3Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

29 ‘21SeptemberOctober‘21Cattermull Cup (Alumni Tournament) Quarter Finals Winchester (Delaforce & Potter) bt Worth (Cattermull & Bett) 8/5 Marlborough (Hewitt & Kerr) bt Charterhouse (Don & Taylor) 8/1 Epsom (Wilkinson & Watson) bt Taunton (Mathers & Peregrine-Jones) 8/7 Clifton (Swindon & Esses) bt Tonbridge (Nodder & O'Dwyer) 8/7 Semi Finals Winchester bt Marlborough 8/3 Clifton bt Epsom 8/2 FinalWinchester bt Clifton 8/5 Henry Leaf Prested Cup UK Under 20 Amateurs Old Etonians beat Old Carthusians 6/1 6/2 Photo: Henry Leaf finalists Jamie Giddins and Rory Giddins (right) beat Tim Drayson and Adam Dolman Final Max Trueman beat George Parsons 6/1 6/2 Winner Max Trueman Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Josh Smith came out firing on all cylinders kicking the event off with consecutive wins against Will Burns and the reigning world champion Rob Fahey. Smith’s footwork and strength on court proved too much for his opponents and soon became an early favourite for the title. Ben Taylor-Matthews was in incredible form on the night and seemed to control his games with pinpoint precision on both wings. Taylor-Matthews overcame his first two opponents, Sayers and Fahey, with great confidence and seemed to get stronger and stronger as the games went on. Sayers came fighting back with his incredible double-backhand, rallying his next two opponents off court. Burns and Smith could not keep up with Sayers as he asserted his presence in the competition. Of course, this wouldn't be a REAL competition without Rob Fahey in contention, and resounding victories over Sayers and Burns put him right back in the mix. Fahey showed his class; hitting targets as he pleased and creating a galvanising spectacle for the crowd. This left the door wide open, and sure enough, Ben Taylor-Matthews stormed through it. Taylor-Matthews was assured in his play and remained level-headed throughout, using his incredible technique and strength to punish the opponents and secure victory. Taylor-Matthews kept up his 100% record for the night and ran out as a very well deserved winner!

REAL 10

Five stars of the game; namely, Rob Fahey, Bryn Sayers, Josh Smith, Ben TaylorMatthews and Will Burns battled it out over 10 extraordinary sets played off halfhandicap to become the Real 10 champion.

‘21November Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

We witnessed a sublime evening of Real Tennis at Middlesex University. Five stars of the game; namely, Rob Fahey, Bryn Sayers, Ben Taylor-Matthews, Josh Smith and Will Burns battled it out over 10 extraordinary sets played off half-handicap to become the Real 10 champion. After 21 long months with no competition, this one certainly did not disappoint!

By Jack Josephs

SHOT

Thank you to Chris Bray for his world-class marking and his outstanding work in helping to organise the event. And, Finally, I would like to recognise the magnificent efforts and achievements of Will Burns; Will did not only play in the event, but was the creator and driver of the competition, who spent countless hours organising the event and making it so special. Will made sure it ran smoothly throughout and was responsible for the exceptional organisation.

! Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

In his winning speech, Taylor-Matthews highlighted the importance of such a memorable event after such a long time away from the action for both the players and supporters. On behalf of the MURTC community, I would like to say an enormous thank you to our extremely kind and generous sponsor, Ed Cotterell, for making this event possible. Ed’s passion for Real Tennis is unrivalled and is an inspiration to us all, he spends countless hours theorising with students and members about the game and we are extremely fortunate to have him in our community. We would also like to thank all of our fantastic members for making this event so special, bringing enthusiasm to the club and contributing to such a wonderful atmosphere. This event could not have happened without you and we look forward to welcoming you all to many more events like this one in the near future!

Congratulations to Alex Hume for winning the popular grille competitionEnjoy the champagne! The Middlesex university students were extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend such an exciting event. It was a joy to have the students in attendance and it is great to see what a lovely group they are! They thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the members and are now more determined than ever to give the sport their best shot. We are pleased to say we had a record attendance in today’s student session!

David Watson, the retiring T&RA Chairman, was present to commemorate the volunteer of the Year, T&RA Director of Junior Tennis, Paul Weaver, who managed to hold numerous events, including the Junior British Open, during the occasional breaks in the lockdown. Paul has run this event for the last 21 years. Next was a lifetime achievement award to Chris Ronaldson (Radley/Bristol) who has spend an astonishing 50 years in service to the game. During this time, he has revived courts and clubs and was instrumental behind the Radley Court built to 2008. He was also the Open Champion between 1980 and 1985. Finally, David Watson presented the famous British Open trophy to John Lumley, another wonderful achievement in his reasonably short career to date; his name on the trophy for the first time. John’s proud family was in support including his mother, Penny a former ladies Tennis world champion, and sister Tara, the current world doubles champion, in both Tennis and Rackets.

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

MATCH POINT

T&RA Chairman, David Watson, presented the Grays Junior of the Year award to Bertie Vallat (Queen’s) following his own successful year winning the Under 16 Open Championship. Then he thanked the tournament organisers, Alistair Lumsden and Ben Ronaldson, together with the numerous volunteers who had made the event happen, ably led by Jess Garside. Thanks were also due to the Patrons and the T&RA for their financial backing. The Doubles salver was then presented to winners, Fahey and Howell, who reiterated how wonderful it was to be back on court, and being able to play in front of Tennis-starved galleries once again. Rob Fahey & Nick Howell win the T&RA British Open Doubles Championship, beating Bryn Sayers & Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/5 6/4 6/4

Next on court, second seeds Bryn Sayers (Queen’s) & Ben TaylorMatthews (Leamington) took on another pair of travellers, fourth seeds Rod McNaughtan & Matthieu Sarlangue (Paris). The UKbased pair started strongly and were two straightforward sets ahead before a fiercely contested third set saw them progress to the final, winning 6/1 6/2 6/4. The final was evenly contested with all four players playing their part with some breathtaking rests. Howell was steady and allowed his more illustrious partner to make his spectacular shots, a Fahey masterclass of doubles play. Sayers and Taylor-Matthews were never far away, taking their own big points to run each set towards its conclusion, but the Fahey & Howell pairing proved its worth as the top seeds, always having just enough to overcome the clever shot-making of Sayers & Taylor-Matthews. Fahey’s skills were highlighted near the end of the third by intercepting a dedans-bound, main wall boast with a crisp volley into the winning gallery. Ultimately worthy winners in a tight match, 6/5 6/4 6/4.

‘21November Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

British DoublesOpenFinal 2021

The T&RA British Open Doubles 2021 saw a good entry this year, highlighting the wealth of talent around the UK Clubs, as well as players travelling from both France and the US to participate. Qualifiers Nick Wood & Scott Blaber (RTC) won their first-round match before running into the formidable top seeds, Rob Fahey & Nick Howell (Oratory & Bordeaux). Fellow qualifiers, Claire Fahey & Levi Gale (Oratory) ran into the experienced amateur pair, Jamie Giddins & Ed Kay, but made them fight after a brilliant third set recovery. The quarter-finals saw no major surprises as the top four seeds made their way into the semis; but here there were some tough matches. Fahey & Howell faced third seeds John Lumley (Philadelphia) & Conor Medlow (Chicago), fresh from Lumley’s exploits of the day before, knocking World Champion Fahey out of the singles. A hard first set went to the travellers, before the top seeds levelled. The third set hung in the balance but eventually Fahey & Howell persevered 6/5, and then ran through a swift final set to secure their place in the final, 5/6 6/2 6/5 6/0.

The British Open Under 24 Singles Championships (The Eric Angus Cup) - W Flynn

35 ‘21December

There was an excellent entry of 21 juniors for this year’s Handicap

Tournament

Under 21’s & 24’s Singles & Doubles

The British Open Under 21 Singles Championships - W Flynn

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

The British Open Under 24 Doubles Championships (The Stephens Tayleur Trophy) - W Flynn & M Trueman

Under 18 Singles Handicap

Singles event held at the Wellington court over the weekend of 18th/19th December. The 12 youngsters with the highest handicaps played on Saturday in the “B” competition. For many of them, it was their first taste of tournament play and there were many close-fought matches. In the end, it came down to a final between two young players from Wellington, Lila and Seb. The match was initially close before Seb took charge and went on to win 8/3 and take the “B” prize. The main competition took place on Sunday with players from many clubs taking part. The highlight of the group stages was 10 year old Max’s come back from 2-7 down to win 8/7 in a match he had to win, to qualify for the semi-finals. Max qualified through to the final to play last year’s winner Francesca. The final produced yet another comeback from young Max who came back from 3-6 down to win the match and the tournament 8/6. Many thanks go out to Wellington for holding the event and to The Dedanists’ Foundation for their continued support and sponsorship.

Held at Middlesex University Real Tennis Club

The Amateur final was to be played between Cambridge University and doubles partners Ed and Jamie. A close first set was followed by an epic second set that at 4-4 saw 12 deuces as both players sought the upper hand. This was amateur Tennis at the highest level as Ed’s winning galleries cancelled out Jamie’s dedan winners. Ed took the game and the set and never looked back, winning the match 3-0 to take his second Amateur Championship to add to the one he won in 2018.

We thank Chris Davies and the T&RA for hosting, tournament directors Jamie Giddins and Ben Ronaldson for organising and for all of the professionals for marking. It was great to see high quality amateur Real Tennis back at Queen’s.Sponsored

beat James 3-1. The second semi was a cracker was Rob Shenkman and Ed Kay split the first two sets and at 2-2 in the third it looked like the match would go all the way. Ed’s return of serve volleys and coolness under pressure eventually showed as he ended up victorious 3-1.

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

37 ‘22February

Doubles Report The Seaourt pair of James Mellow and Max Trueman put in an excellent performance in the first round to defeat Richard Elmitt and James Greenley and demonstrate why they are a pair to watch in the future. Adam Dolman and James Acheson-Gray also moved well into the semi finals. The semi finals were disrupted by Storm Eunice and were postponed by two days to allow for safe travel. Giddins and Kay moved into the final with a 3-0 win whilst there was a brilliant second semi-final as Peter Wright and Jamie Douglas came from 2 sets to love down to defeat James Acheson-Gray and Adam Dolman. And so the final of the Amateur Doubles was to be a repeat of the last three finals. A positive covid test meant that the match was pushed back two weeks but the wait was well worth it. Ed Kay was on fire in the first two sets, returning with power and precision and retrieving everything from the serving end. Jamie and Ed moved into a 6/1 6/2 lead. But Jamie Douglas and Peter Wright have won this tournament too many times to give it away and a change of tactics saw them take the third set 6/3. The fourth set was a brilliant display of doubles, with hard hitting, retrieving and patience combining to take the set from 3-3 to 4-4 to 5-5 and to a deciding game. One final well played game from Ed Kay, and Giddins and Kay had retained their title for the third time.

by Photos: Top: Jamie Giddins & Ed Kay Middle: Holding the Doubles trophy Jamie & Ed Bottom: Peter Wright & Jamie Douglas

‘22Feburary

2022

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Defending Silver Racquet and nine-time Gold Racquet champion Jamie Douglas defeated Jamie Giddins (2021 All Comers champion) 3-0 at the start of February to win the MCC Silver Racquet. Douglas started far stronger, taking a strong early lead and taking the first set 6/1. The second set was neck and neck and at 5-5, 30-30 it was anyone’s game. Douglas sneaked the set and was able to carry this momentum through to the third set to finish the match off 6/1 6/5 6/2. It was a great match and Jamie Douglas goes on to play Ed Kay, as he attempts to win his tenth title.

Zak Eadle beat Lewis Williams 6/5 3/6 6/5 in a thrilling semi-final. In the second, Louis Gordon came from a set down to beat junior sensation, Max Trueman, 1/6 6/0 6/5. In the final, Zak started well taking the first set 6/1. With the second set much closer, Louis retired injured with Zak leading 5-4. Zak Eadle is the Seacourt Silver Racquet champion 2022. Seacourt Silver Racquet MCC Silver Racquet

2021

Jamie Douglas wins delayed MCC 2021 Silver Racquet against Jamie Giddins 3-0

Cambridge won 4-2

1st doubles Benedict Yorston (Merton) & James Kempton (Merton) bt Patrick Smart (Churchill) & Arthur Adams (Trinity) 6/2 6/5 6/3 Oxford won 6-0

Women’s match (Cambridge names first)

2nd singles Alfred Backhouse (St Catz) bt Aaron Wienkers (Trinity) 6/2 6/0

2nd singles Kureha Yamaguchi (Clare) lost to Izzy Marshall (New) 0/6 0/6

1st singles Benedict Yorston (Merton) bt Patrick Smart (Churchill) 6/1 6/0

39 Mixed fortunes for Oxford and Cambridge at MCC 151st Varsity Match

4th singles James Kempton (Merton) bt Miles Kempton (Robinson) 6/0 3/6 6/1

2nd doubles Alfred Backhouse (St Catz) & Louis Manson (St Anne`s) bt Aaron Wienkers (Trinity) & Miles Kempton (Robinson) 6/0 6/3 6/0

‘22March Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

2nd doubles Mary Strevens (Magdalen) & Izzy Marshall (New) beat Kureha Yamaguchi (Clare) & Rosie Taylor (St Edmunds) 6/4 6/3

1st doubles Emily Arbuthnott (Wolfson) & Ulla Petti (Trinity) beat Natalie Barber (Green Templeton) & Olivia Becher (St Anne`s) 3/6 6/5 6/4

3rd singles Louis Manson (St Anne`s) bt Arthur Adams (Trinity) 6/1 6/1

Men’s match (Oxford names first)

1st singles Emily Arbuthnott (Wolfson) beat Natalie Barber (Green Templeton) 6/3 6/4

4th singles Ulla Petti (Trinity) beat Olivia Becher (St Anne`s) 6/0 6/5

3rd singles Mary Strevens (Magdalen) lost to Rosie Taylor (C) (St Edmunds) 6/4 1/6 2/6

Photos: Left: Cambridge women, winning team Right: Oxford men, winning team

40 ‘22March

A huge thank you to James Simpson of Pol Roger for providing lunch with a beautiful selection of wines and of course Pol and to the T&RA and the stewards to ensuring this year’s competition was superbly run and lastly to Simon Roundell who presented the prizes, wearing his T&RA hat!

FIELD TROPHY FINAL BRODIE CUP FINAL

Wellington beat Oxford 3-2

Pol Roger Trophy, Field Trophy & Brodie Cup

Right: A montage of action & finalists from the Field Trophy final.

Above:Photos:The Brodie Final, teams from Wellington & Oxford.

2021/22 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Oxford win a close final against local rivals, Radley. It was a closely fought match between Oxford and Radley and was a splendid day's Tennis, ending 3-2 to Oxford. Unfortunately, a Radley player was absent through sudden illness and, as Oxford won the first two rubbers, and the match was decided by lunchtime. Nevertheless, Radley fought hard for their honour and won the two matches after lunch, which would have made for a nail biting finish had Radley not defaulted earlier!

Bottom: ClubvictoriousTheQueen’steam,winners of the Pol Roger Trophy.

POL FINAL FINAL QUEEN'S CLUB beat ROYAL TENNIS COURT

A huge thank you to our traveling supporters who made all the difference and showed the passion and commitment our club has for Real Tennis. A big thank you to Oxford for being such amazing opponents, fierce on court and super friendly off court, the perfect balance to a successful Brodie Cup. I can’t finish the report without thanking George Scott for playing in the semi final against Radley and getting us over the line and into the final and to Tom for all his efforts and success in the earlier rounds!

41 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

What a fantastic four days of Real Tennis with many of the final score lines not reflecting the brilliant Tennis being played on both sides.

A wonderful end of tournament speech was given by Peter Dawes who came out of retirement to present prizes congratulating all the winners and finalists. Katie Leppard (LRTA Chairman) also thanked everyone on behalf of the LRTA, whilst Claire Fahey praised her fellow competitors on the high standard of play throughout the tournament.

A huge thank you must go to the whole crew who ran the tournament, in particular Alex Garside, Viv Dawes and Jess Garside for making this tournament such a success, organising the players, making the draw and billeting the players. Most of all a big thank you to our sponsor Peter Luck-Hille without whom none of this would be possible, along with Pol Roger.

Tennis Club was pleased to host the Ladies Real Tennis Association (LRTA) British Ladies Open 2022, sponsored by Peter Luck-Hille, in April, the first time since 2019 due to the covid pandemic. As always a very warm welcome was extended to new and old friends with twenty two ladies from Clubs all over the UK , and even Bordeaux, signing up to play.

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Photos: Above: Claire Fahey, Ladies British Open Singles Champion, with Peter Dawes

S42eacourt

The penultimate game, with an exceptionally long rally/ rest, placed the score at 5 all for the last game and a nail biting finish. With Sarah serving on 30 points to Georgie on 40 points, Georgie smashed the return of serve into the dedans, beating a half yard chase, thrilling the spectators and winning the match. Semi-finals saw the former ladies World Champion Penny Lumley succumb to the reigning World Champion Claire Fahey 6/0 6/0, with Penny’s daughter Tara fighting the other semi-final against Georgie Willis winning 6/2 6/2. Claire went on to retain her British Open title beating Tara 6/0 6/0.

In the Doubles Plate, Sophia Lewis & Bernadette Bidouze took on Caroline Macdowell & Olivia Boulton, a great 3 set match with Sophia & Bernadette making it through 6/2 2/6 6/3 and into the final against the holders Di Wilson & Rosie Law who played some strong Tennis but couldn’t hold off the consistency of Sophia and the experience of Bernadette winning the plate 6/2 6/1.

The handicap doubles was split into 3 groups, with some great matches. We saw some great Tennis in the final from all players but it was Sophia & Georgie’s day winning 8/2.

LRTA British Ladies Open 2022

The British Open Singles quarter-finals first match between number 2 seed, Sarah Shuckburgh and Georgie Willis was a thriller. Both players dug in and took many of the games to deuce.

Above right: Claire Fahey & Sarah Shuckburgh, British Open Doubles Champions, receiving their prizes from Peter Dawes.

The British Open Plate was won by Minty Oldham who beat Sophia Lewis 6/3 6/2 in an exciting 2 sets with most of the first set games going to multiple deuces and some great targets on both sides.

The British Open doubles had a strong entry with the top players marking their territory. Penny & Tara Lumley made the final against Claire Fahey & Sarah Shuckburgh but the top seeds were too strong taking the title 6/0 6/2.

43 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Thierry Bernard-Tambour, Chairman Photo copyright: Jean Deschamps

The event was completed by a singles plate and a doubles handicap tournament. The main competition ended with a fantastic match, with success by the defending champion Claire Fahey who won her 6th World title in singles against the young French hopeful, Lea Van Der Zwalmen. Even if she tried to put up her best resistance, she did not find the answers against the experience, the incredible touch and the highlevel game produced by Claire.

The singles plate was won by Xanthe Ranger who defeated Alex Brodie, and the doubles handicap saw Alex and Jess Garside beat Nicola Doble and Alex Brodie, who sadly had to withdraw due to injury. The club was very proud to be hosting the most prestigious ladies Real Tennis tournament in the world, especially after such challenging times. This event, every eight years in France, was an opportunity to showcase the best players in the world and promote our wonderful sport, and we are very thankful to both players and sponsors for their crucial support.

It was the first time that Lea was playing at home for a World Championship, and despite the result, as Claire said, Lea is taking French ladies’ game to an all-new level. We certainly hope that these two champions will have many more battles in the future.

The event was labeled by the Alice Milliat Foundation, which is the first European foundation for women in sports. This is an important step for Real Tennis and a recognition of the tradition of ladies playing it.

It is less well known that Margot from Hainaut

The week of competition took its promises and was an amazing display of sportsmanship, technical skills, and determination. We were so glad this event gave the players and spectators a memorable time both on and off the court in the beautiful city of Fontainebleau.

The 2022 Ladies World Championships welcomed a total of 17 players from all around the world, including the Netherlands. 13 ladies played in the singles and 6 pairs played in the doubles.

Our sport has a long history dating back to the 14th century.

In doubles, Claire pairing up with her sister Sarah Shuckburgh and they won the title against Isabel Candy and Saskia Bollerman. Even though Isabel was recovering from injury and Saskia was not able to train much by living in the Netherlands, they produced a promising game against the invincible sisters.

Province is the first woman named in the modern history of sport. She would play in Paris as early as 1427 and regularly beat some of the top male amateurs of the time. In the 18th century, prominent figures such as Madame Masson and Madame Bunel followed suit. More recently, Claire and Lea have been competing on equal terms in, respectively, some of the most prestigious professional and amateur tournaments in the world. This tradition of gender equality is something of which the sport of Real Tennis should be proud and actively promote. It is our hope that this LWC has helped raised the profile of the ladies' game for years to come and attract more sponsors.

It was also our task to raise the standards in organising such an event to match with what is normally done for men. Many things could have been better, and some will need to be improved in the future of course, but we are confident that one day, the format, as well as hosting and sponsoring, will reach what we could see for Men’s World Championship. If we were deemed to have contributed to show the way forward for top ladies’ tournaments, then we would definitely consider this event as a success!

2022 Ladies Real Tennis World Championships

Left:Photos:Past L to R: Illingworth, Yankson, De Above:Helpert.Past Left: Maj Right:

serving and retired personnel enjoying

Ed Kay won the 2022 Silver Racquet at Lords beating Robert Shenkman 6/5 6/1 6/4.

at the Queen’s Club for the first time since 2019.

& Present Singles.

the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force competed,

The 2022 Combined Services RT & R Championships took

& Present Doubles.

2022 Silver Racquet at Lords

S Yankson Ed Kay, Silver Racquet winner at Lords 2022 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Ed will now take on Jamie Douglas in a repeat of the last four gold racquet fixtures. Jamie leads the head-to-head 3-1, with an impressive total of ten gold racquet victories (six short of the clubhouse leader - Howard Angus with a whopping 16!). place Representatives of with both the wonderful

Davies &

comradeship built up across the years. UK Combined Services Real Tennis and Rackets Championship Real Tennis Past and Present Singles Winner – S Yankson 6/0 6/0 Runner Up – Maj M Thornton Real Tennis Past and Present Doubles Winners – Maj Gen J Illingworth and S Yankson 6/3 6/3 Runners Up – Cdr CS Davies and Cdr S De Helpert (ROYAL NAVY) Real Tennis Inter Services Doubles Winners – P Cattermull and S Heilpern (ARMY) 6/0 6/5 Runners Up – Maj M Thornton and Maj O Snell (ARMY) ‘22May

M Thornton

Great Britain retained the Cockram Trophy in Paris, the Bostwick Cup in Bordeaux and the Danby Trophy in Fontainebleau.

The final day saw GB take on the Americans - sadly fielding a team of only six thus necessitating their weaker players to step up twice. The pick of the games was the first singles with a relentless Steve Hufford moving to 5-0 up against an exasperated William Maltby somehow unable to get the ball to perform as he needed. However, he dug in resolutely and battled through to a safe win 6/5 6/3.

Annual Report 2021/22

GB proudly retained the Bostwick trophy and look forward to the next event in a venue TBA in the UK in 2024. Our thanks to the host Club and its Board and President Thierry and also to the excellent professional team led by Nick Howell ably assisted by his sidekick Tommy, who both marked impeccably and coped admirably with the various curve balls and inevitable changes and retained their charm and good humour throughout.

MWORLDASTERS ‘22May

Real Tennis Match Reports

Our enthusiastic travellers crossed La Manche by road, rail, boat and air to congregate just in time for the Saturday practice session and the welcome cocktails. GB performed admirably in this first challenge and still arrived fresh and fit (or as good as it gets) the next morning when, through a quirk of scheduling they faced the jet lagged Australians. Definitely a fortunate throw of the dice. The first match - the first doubles - pitted David Watson and Mark Nicholls against Matty Hayward and Richard Hince and was both the tightest match and, as it later proved, the clincher. The opening game alone lasted 15 minutes and went to the Australians but GB took the next and progressed to 5-2 with GB somehow taking key points. Nerves then set in and the Australians increased the pace forcing racquet errors from the opponents and drawing remorselessly back to 5-4. Nicholls steadied the ship to close out the first set 6/4 with some crisp volleying and firm returns. The second set was equally tight but GB somehow always just held the upper hand and took the match 6/4 6/4. Next up Richard MacAlister and Simon Talbot Williams - on paper the tightest match and one GB needed to win to maintain the momentum. The British pair played impeccable steady tennis and never looked likely to drop the baton winning 6/1 6/3. The first singles between Maltby and Happell was a high quality spectacle with William coming out strongly retrieving and attacking with equal verve. The first set was tight - much tighter than the score line suggested with many deuces and advantages but Happell just edged the key points taking the set 6/2. The second set started in similar vein but the relentless pressure finally told and forced errors from the GB number 1 as Happell closed it out – 6/2 6/0. The second singles though felt like a banker for GB with the dependable John Prenn up against Graeme Bradfield. The knock up suggested a tight match was in prospect but Prenn’s firm strokes and reliable retrieving forced errors from his opponent and he produced a near flawless display to take the game and the match 6/1 6/0. The second doubles was thus just for honour and up THE BOSTWICK CUP

stepped Geoffrey Russell and Richard Compton Burnett to play Nick Carr and John Piccolo. Almost from the start it was clear that all was not well with RCB still struggling to recover from a virus and despite valiant determination and energetic court coverage by his partner the GB pair were forced to concede the match late on in the first set. Up stepped super-sub Ronald Paterson to complete the event and GB wound up winners 3-2 of a close fought contest Day 2 saw GB take on the hosts, bright eyed and bushy tailed and, despite the early hour, the GB team were unstoppable comfortably winning all their matches against enthusiastic players drawn from around the country and with proven skills in Longue Paume and Pelote Basque as well as Jeu de Paume. That evening all the teams were royally entertained chez Henri Blanchot who provided a magnificent reception at his historic “Tardis” house opening out into a wonderful courtyard garden where seemingly endless wine and appetising canapés were offered until the small hours. The GB team performed strongly in the drinks match defending their reputation as enthusiastic travellers.

(At the dinner, nearly two weeks later, Ivan Semenoff said that he was doing well.)

Congratulations to Jill Newby for a sterling performance whilst carrying a painful knee injury picked up after a fall in a previous singles match. The Dandy Trophy GB Team L to R:- Duncan Colquhoun, Nigel Draffan, Alan Oliver, Jill Newby, Philip Shaw-Hamilton, Simon Johnston, Jamie Bebb & Richard Moore

It has to be noted that the French Captain - Ken Casler - was to go immediately into hospital the next day for an intensive, innovative and very costly blood transfusion and total body chemo in order to combat a form of leukemia. We all thought that he was incredibly brave to play in the 1st pair despite very obvious ill health and we wish him well.

In the individual event Jill Newby and Philip Shaw-Hamilton beat Alan Oliver 6/1 6/3 in the semis, and Wayne Spring and Simon de Halpert 6/3 3/6 6/1 in the final - so Jill becomes the first female ever to win a World Masters title.

Having lost the first set 4/6 the Aussies (Wayne Spring and John Faull) upped their game to take the second set 6/3. Both GB players had allowed their game to lack drive and purpose and Duncan's hip looked very troubling at the end of the second set, but in the third Nigel hit the ball more forcefully and provided brilliant support keeping GB in the match and allowing Duncan to make his customary winning shots and the pair took the third set 6/2. The 3rd pair of Jamie Bebb and Richard Moore were far too steady and had no trouble against Euhana Varigos (the only female member of the Australian team) and Peter Stanley winning 6/0 6/0. Match over and won which made life more comfortable for the 2nd pair of Alan Oliver and Philip Shaw-Hamilton to cruise to a 6/1 6/1 victory over Rob Jolly and Dick Friend. GB retain the Danby Trophy beating all countries 3-0! A fine team effort by all players.

Knowing that the French were not as strong, both Duncan and Richard were retired and given the day off for the second day's match. With late comers having now arrived the team comprised 1st pair Jill Newby and Philip ShawHamilton; 2nd pair Alan Oliver and Nigel Draffan; 3rd pair Jamie Bebb and Simon Johnston. We all won effortlessly since the French had insufficient strength in the Over 70s.

Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

THE DANBY TROPHY Team GB retained the Danby Trophy with a clean sweep in Fontainebleau, beating each of the other competing nations.

The third day was effectively the final between GB and the Aussies having both beaten the USA and France. First match on were the 1st pair (Nigel and Duncan again).

On the first day against the USA only six of our squad of eight could make it; 1st pair Nigel Draffan and Duncan Colquhoun, 2nd pair Jill Newby and Philip Shaw-Hamilton, 3rd pair Richard Moore and Simon Johnston. The match was won 3-0 by GB but had some very competitive games. Nigel Draffan covered the court very well for Duncan, whose hip was giving him pain. Richard Moore fell badly, narrowly missing cracking his head against the side wall but bruising his hip. It was a good warm up and a chance to get to know the largest court in the world rather better than a mere practice session.

2022

Jamie Douglas retained the Gold Racquet at Lords today beating Ed Kay 6/2 6/0 3/6 6/3.

Jamie Douglas won the 2022 MCC Gold Racquet title at Lord's on June 25 beating his challenger Ed Kay 6/2 6/0 3/6 6/3 in a blistering contest full of forcing into the dedans and Jamie's trademark boasts from the hazard into the corner at the service end. Ed was under immense pressure in the first two sets but withstood that to win the third set in fine style. He was 3-0 up in the fourth set and at that point it looked as though the match might go to a fifth but the relentless pressure from Jamie prevailed and took him to his eleventh title. Chris Swallow marked the match superbly in traditional style from the middle of the court.

names to be engraved on the fine Pol Roger trophies. Congratulations to Andy Keeley, who won the Singles trophy, beating Matthew Anderson in the Final, and to the debutants Matthew and his father David Anderson who won the Doubles, beating Maggie Henderson-Tew and James Dron.

The tournament was, as always, a joy to run because of those taking part, who were a splendidly sociable and enthusiastic crew: modest in victory, gracious in defeat and who played all the rubbers in a spirit of friendly but fierce competition. The number of nail-biting 5-all sets was a credit to the handicapper and a worry to the time-keeper, but somehow we managed to complete the event by 19.55, if time for a members’ booking at 20.00. Perfect! Grateful thanks to our splendid sponsors, Pol Roger and Tunnock’s.

Scottish National Handicap Championships 2022

The group shot shows some of the competitors and the Pros, CJR and Josh King, who did a fine job of marking all weekend.

MCC Gold Racquet

A great match with wonderful retrieving and athleticism not to mention the ball being struck prodigiously hard.

Congratulations to Andy Keeley, who won the Singles trophy, and to Matthew and David Anderson who won the Doubles at the Scottish National Handicap

TheGENTLEMENChampionships.OFSCOTLAND,annalsshallrecordthenew

June ‘22 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

Most Valued Player Jonny Whitaker No 2 Nino Marola

Most Valued Player James Medlow No 2 Max Trueman Division 6. 12/13 Matches. Winners Hatfield 1 Most Valued Player Award Josh King No 2 NIck Lloyd

The T&RA were delighted that FLM also sponsored the T&RA Benefactors’ Cocktail Party.

Division 9. 26/26 Matches Winners Petworth 4 Runners Up Hat/MURTC 2

Most Valued Player Robert Shenkman No 2 Levi Gale Division 3/4. 21/22 Matches. Winners Leamington 1 Runners Up- Queen’s 2

Premier Division: - 5 matches Winners Team Taylor-Matthews 3/2

The FLM IRTPA National League 2021-2022 In 2020 FLM kindly agreed to sponsor the IRTPA National League. Unfortunately, covid struck. Although some keen players overcame the restrictions the competition had to be abandoned. This year 46 teams with over 250 players have entered in eight Divisions. Final results from 189 matches

Division 7. 39/39 Matches. Winners MURTC Runners Up- Queens 4

and

Rob Shenkman and Bryn Sayers lost the Premier League to Ben Taylor Matthews and Levi Gale at The Hyde.

Annual Report 2021/22

go to www.irtpa.com/match-schedules 49 Real Tennis Match Reports

Division 8. 13/13 Matches. Winners The Royal Tennis Court 4 Runners Up Leamington 2

Most Valued Player awarded to Bryn Sayers

Most Valued Player Jack Josephs No 2 Ed Turner

Division 1/2 . 26/26 Matches. Winners Manchester. Runners Up - The Oratory

Most Valued Player Martin McNair No 2 Adrian Warburton For more information about FLM National League schedules results

Division 5. 43/43 Matches. Winners Seacourt Runners Up-Queen’s 3

Most Valued Player William Todd No 2 Dick Cowling

…at RobManchesterShenkmanand Darren Long best Claire Fahey and Levi Gale

LIMB CUP FINAL RESULT

Van Alen/George

The tour started with the Australian U26 Amateur Singles and Doubles championships in Hobart, the club where legendary players Rob Fahey and Kieran Booth began their careers. In the singles Henry Mullan performed well in comfortably beating Erik Barker (Washington) in the quarter final and was unfortunate not to reach the final, losing 4/6 in the 3rd set to Freddie Bristowe (New York). On the other side of the draw Robert Shenkman won through 6/1 6/3 in his semi final against local hopeful Ollie Pridmore (Hobart) to set up a final against Freddie. The final was a tense affair with the first set going 6-0 to Robert despite 4 deuce games. The second set ebbed and flowed and despite Freddie having his chances Robert edged it 6/5, to take the title 6/0 6/5. In the doubles, the first semi final was an excellent contest with Ivo Macdonald and Pete Dickinson (Philadelphia) almost giving the second seeds Barker and Bristowe a fright eventually going down 4/6 4/6. The final was a quality affair between two experienced pairs. Bristowe and Barker won the first set 6/5 but Shenkman and Mullan rallied to level the scores and take the match to a decider. The final set was full of pulsating restes but ultimately Bristowe proved the difference between the pairs providing many explosive volleys to take the US team to the title, 6/5 2/6 6/4. The teams then enjoyed a great dinner at the Hobart club before embarking the next day to Ballarat in pursuit of the Van Alen cup, held by the USA since 2019. The first day comprised four singles matches and the 2nd & 3rd string doubles. In the 4th string singles, Ivo Macdonald had a humdinger with the aptly named Chase Motz (USA) eventually going down 5/6 in the final set to give team USA an early victory. Motz attacked with real vigour to leave USA team manager Ivan Ronaldson purring with delight. In the second match between the number 3s the previously untested Ben Yorston (having missed the Hobart leg due to a hockey tour) provided a nail-biting victory over Erik Barker 6/5 6/5. The crowds were treated to seemingly never-ending restes between two players with similar styles leaving many spectators wondering if the match would ever end. British veteran Henry Mullan then flipped the overall match scoreline on its head with a 6/2 6/2 win over Pete Dickinson using a tight railroad and powerful volleys to great effect. This left GB in the ascendancy going into the Limb Tour

/Clothier

USA defeated Australia 9 matches to 0

VAN ALEN CUP FINAL RESULT

Report and Results July ‘22 Real Tennis Match ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

GB defeated USA 5 matches to 4

After 14 days in Australia, the UK team of Robert Shenkman (c), Henry Mullan, Ben Yorston and Ivo Macdonald have returned home victorious claiming a host of trophies from the tour matches in Hobart, Ballarat and Melbourne.

CLOTHIER CUP FINAL RESULT

GB defeated Australia 9 matches to 0

52 Junior Real Tennis World Rankings 2022 Real Tennis Match Reports/Junior Rankings Rank Player & Age Handicap Club 1 Max Trueman (17) 13.8 Seacourt 2= James Medlow (17) 16.4 Seacourt 2= Bertie Vallat (16) 16.4 Queen’s 4 Oliver Pridmore (17) 20.1 Hobart 5 Henry Henman (15) 20.2 Radley 6 Magnus Garson (18) 29.6 Oxford 7 James Rossiter (17) 29.8 Queen’s 8 George Parsons (16) 33.2 RTC 9 Alex Rackham (17) 33.5 Hobart 10 Willem Sweet (18) 35.4 Wellington Rankings as at 6th August 2022 World class Real Tennis was played at Hampton Court Palace, sponsored by MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC The Champions Trophy at Royal Tennis Court Royal Tennis Court, Sunday 26th June 2022: Rob Fahey beat Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/2 4/6 6/2 6/3 in the final of the Real Tennis Champions Trophy MATCH Annual Report 2021/22

53 Real Tennis Rankings Rank Player Points 1 Camden Riviere 58686 2 Rob Fahey 54001 3 John Lumley 37373 4 Ben Taylor-Matthews 29242 5 Chris Chapman 22682 6 Bryn Sayers 17703 7 Nick Howell 16341 8 Steve Virgona 12182 9 Leon Smart 10882 10 Matthieu Sarlangue 10677 Rankings after Champions Trophy 2022 Rank Name H’Cap 1 Claire Fahey (professional) 5.0 2 Lea van Der Zwalmen (France) 15.9 3 Tara Lumley 22.8 4 Sarah Vigrass 24.6 5 Saskia Bollerman (Netherlands) 28.0 6 Isabel Candy 28.8 7 Nicola Doble 30.5 8 Penny Lumley 31.5 9 Sue Haswell 31.9 10 Georgie Willis 32.9 Men’s Real Tennis World Rankings 2022 Ladies’ Real Tennis World Rankings 2022 The Ladies’ World Rankings are currently based on Real Tennis Online Singles handicaps and the British Open is seeded based on RTO Players who are recorded on RTO as having a "dormant handicap" or who have not recorded any Singles results on RTO for a year or more are not included in this list. All players amateur and GB unless stated. Rankings as at 6th August 2022 Real Tennis World Rankings 2022 Annual Report 2021/22

54 International Irish Real AssociationTennis

By Theo Bollerman, President The year started well with two groups of Dutch playing in different countries. One group consisting of André Driessen, Rogier Botting, Marian van Koesveld, Feikje Nassy, Erik Gunter, Henk Jan Meere, Florentine Molkenboer and top player Andreas van Braam Houckgeest, had their annual meeting in Cambridge with a fair result. The Cambridge team beat the Dutch 7–5. Many thanks again to Christie Marrian, who organized the meeting for the umpteenth time.

By Ben North, Secretary Dutch Real AssociationTennis

The other group stayed in Australia. In Ballarat , Lucie and Theo Bollerman competed in the lovely handicap doubles tournament for the Joey Cup. They came third. Robert Jolly gave one of his great speeches. After that , the trip went to Melbourne where they joined forces with Huub and Kim van Boeckel to play the Roo. Saskia Bollerman was also there but could not play in the Australian Open and Ladies World Championships as she was still injured. Her hip procedure took place in June; and she was not allowed to do any sport for at least six months.

The yearly Dutch week at Radley College was attended by some 60 players, of which 42 competed in the Dutch Real Tennis Championships and the handicap doubles tournament. In the absence of Saskia, Stephanie Zaaijer was a worthy successor, who later that year went to the RMTC for a three-month period to assist in the proshop. Second place was for Marian van Koesveld. The men’s tournament was won again by Paul Bollerman in a very good match against Hugo van der Meer. Many extra activities were undertaken; a group of Dutch even took part in a session of Eton Fives. Of course golf, Rackets, fives and lawn tennis were also popular. It was a great week again, made possible by Chris Ronaldson, his assistant Nino Merola and the friendly ground staff who prepared the grass courts especially for the Dutch.

The Dutch Real Tennis Championships, August 2021, Fontainebleau Annual Report 2021/22

The IRTA is delighted that its members were able to get back on court over the past year. We travelled to Hardwick House in October to take part in the Brigands Doubles Tournament for Peripatetic Clubs, where we had a promising start but narrowly missed out on advancing beyond the group stage. March saw the IRTA back at Hardwick House, this time for a fixture against The Haphazards Also in March, the IRTA team emerged the victors in the Celtic Challenge at Radley, who then hosted our Irish Open Championship in June. Our Closed Championship will be held later in the year, and further fixtures and trips are being planned. We are grateful to all the clubs, supporters, and professionals who have welcomed the IRTA and given us the opportunity to start playing Tennis again. The planning permission which was to see the historic Dublin Real Tennis Court become part of a museum expired in late 2021; an application by the developers for an extension was denied. The IRTA will now resume its campaign for the restoration of this important part of Ireland's built heritage to its intended purpose.

a court! The hard part of course is raising the necessary funds; the fundraising project is well under way, and you can find all the details of how to donate at www. sydneyrealtennis.com.au. If you are an Australian resident for tax purposes, then your donation can be tax-deductible too! Our Masters teams (some twenty-five players) were the first Australians to head overseas for Tennis in a long time, to attend the World Amateur Masters in France. It was a wonderful celebration of Tennis, and everyone survived the ordeal of vaccinations, paperwork and covid tests! As we look ahead to the rest of year and early 2023, we invite you to come join us in Melbourne for the Australian Open & Women’s Open 3-10 January, immediately followed by the Boomerang Cup, a great event for all standards of players. And of course, it’s an awesome time to escape the northern hemisphere winter, get some heat and lots of Tennis! There will be also supporting events in Ballarat and Hobart. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more Finally,details.Australia sends its very best wishes to the rest of the Real Tennis world – and invites you to ‘get down under’ soon!

55 The IRTPA By Susie Falkner, CEO International

By Alistair Curley, Chair of Tennis 2

The schedule for the season was beginning to look very condensed for the months in May, June and July 2022, but restrictions started to lift in the UK and there was at last play with the first ranking tournament since the conclusion of the US Open 2020 being played with the British Open in November 2021. The U.S. Open and the U.S. Professional Singles playing for the Schochet Cup were scheduled to be played concurrently as possible with a week in between the two events. The U.S. Open was hosted by the Tuxedo Club. History was made for this event in the prize money was US$100,000, the highest ever for an Open tournament with US$65,000 going to the singles prize fund, with a draw of 16 players (the qualifying tournament was very competitive!) and US$35,000 going to the doubles prize fund for a draw of 12 pairs. If prize funds could be kept at this level there would be no shortage of players, and our professionals would not be out of pocket for chasing ranking and race points from around the world. The Open Singles and US Pro Singles titles saw Camden Riviere maintain his winning form.

The Champions Trophy sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric was held at the Royal Tennis Court, Rob Fahey was defending the title he won back in 2019 and he retained it winning in four Theresets. are only three more ranking tournaments this year before the race for the world championship in 2023 concludes following the British Open in November. The race is quite close and one more large prize fund from the three remaining Opens would make that event very competitive indeed. The Australian is in August, the French late September and the British in November.

Results for events played to 3rd July 2022 Tournament Winner Finalist British Open 2021 John Lumley Ben Taylor-Matthews U.S. Open 2022 Camden Riviere Rob Fahey U.S. Pro Singles 2022 Camden Riviere Rob Fahey Champions Trophy 2022 Rob Fahey Ben Taylor-Matthews World Doubles 2022 Camden Riviere & Tim Chisholm

John Lumley & Steve Virgona

021 saw the return of competitive Tennis within Australia, albeit with events needing to be re-scheduled on several occasions due to lockdowns. However, as we know, most international events remained off limits last year. Our clubs have all come through the pandemic in good shape. Government furlough schemes allowed them to keep going, and each club used the various periods of lockdown to undertake maintenance and upkeep. We emerged into 2022 with a full calendar of domestic Tennis events and all clubs saw court bookings return towards pre-covid levels. There was also a period of introspection for ARTA, as we were required to revamp our Rules to meet new requirements for incorporated bodies. The upshot is that we now have a set of rules which allow all players of Real Tennis in Australia to have a genuine say within ARTA. Our most important local project is the goal of a new Real Tennis court in Sydney and the team there have been working tirelessly to get the necessary approvals. They now have an excellent site at the Cheltenham Recreation Club and exciting plans for the court. I visited the site in May and can assure everyone it will be a great location for

Annual Report 2021/22

RealAustraliaTennis

Association

The World Doubles took place at the new Bordeaux court following the Champions Trophy. It is fitting that France’s newest court should be the host for a new world doubles format where the best four pairs play over the best of nine sets in each match. The IRTPA has created a world double ranking system which partly takes an individual’s current singles ranking and their results from four years of doubles events to calculate a player ranking and points value. The points value of the pair is then combined with the highest value being No. 1. The full explanation can be read on the IRTPA’s web site.

International Agreat year of Real Tennis in France !

By Ivan Semenoff

Trophy, the Bostwick Cup, The Danby Trophy and the Muñoz Trophy were won by the respective British teams. The French Cockram team lost only in the final against Great Britain A fantastic fortnight of Tennis, respect, friendship and style which prove one more time that nothing is greater than this game. The next World Masters will be hosted by Great Britain in 2024. The project of renovation of the court in Chinon is progressing with more than Euros 800,000 raised thanks to the efforts of the team headed by Thierry Bernard-Tambour. We are as well looking forward to playing again on the court

Cockram French Team: Julien Bey, Tim Batten, Ivan Semenoff (cap.), Emmanuel Chelli, Alexandre Boy, Laurent Marville, Alexandre Girod, Charles Blanchot, Jean-Philippe Grabli in Pau soon. This project has been approved by the mayor of the city. We would like to thank all volunteers who made all this events a succees and are happy to announce that the next French Open will take place in Paris at the end of September.

Comité français

Annual Report 2021/22

This season has seen the renewal of the game after the covid-19 crisis. International and national competitions took place again. Matthieu Sarlangue won for the 12th time in a row the prestigious Raquette d’Or, beating the record of his father Bertrand (11 times). To be continued… Fontainebleau hosted the Ladies World Championships won by Claire Fahey against Lea van der Zwalmen in the final. Fontainebleau also hosted the Junior Open and the first Ladies French Championships won by Lea van der BordeauxZwalmen. organised the Doubles World Championships won by Camden Riviere and Tim Chisholm against John Lumley and Steve Virgona in the final. At this event the court was officially inaugurated by the mayor of Bordeaux, Mr. Pierre Hurmic. The legendary Coupe de Bordeaux was back after ten years of absence. This prestigious trophy won in the past by the best amateurs as Julian Snow and Howard Angus was awarded to Nicolas Victoir this year. And last but not least, France hosted for the first time the World Masters hosted by the three main French clubs:

14andBritain,fromMoreFontainebleauBordeaux,andParis.than100playersAustralia,GreattheUnitedStatesFranceparticipatedinindividualcompetitions including for the first time the 80’s category. For the first time, matches could be watched on line, thanks to Thestreaming.Cockram

Inevitably, given the choice of venues, the first competitors were France and Great Britain. The tournament experienced some teething problems, some of which might sound familiar to organisers of international matches in the early twenty-first century. The two players making up the French team, M. Worth and M. Deves, were not greatly enamoured of the court at Queen’s or of the Tennis balls provided for the match, leading to calls by the press for much greater efforts to standardise the match balls. Whether for these or other reasons, the team of four players from Great Britain, Baerlein, Bruce, Pennell and Renshaw, proved too strong for the Frenchmen and were

Above: The Bathurst Cup was given by and named in honour of Lilias, Countess of Bathurst. Left: The Bathurst Cup.

CUP THE

58 International

Annual Report 2021/22

ewspaper lore tells how the perfect newspaper headline should have four elements; religion, snob appeal, mystery and sex; hence the archetypal headline, “Oh, my God! The Duchess is pregnant; whodunit?” My story has the first three elements, so it is nearly perfect. it involves Tennis’s own world cup, the biennial Bathurst Cup, coming to Lord’s in 2022. First, let me tell you a bit more about the tournament before describing the mystery of the trophy and its giver. In 1921, the T&RA committee met to give approval for a new tournament, the Bathurst Cup, to take place first in London between 8 and 20 May 1922. As The Times reported on 21st November, the competition would take place in Paris one year and London the next, and would be open to teams of between two and four amateur players representing any country in the world. These teams would compete on a format modelled on the lawn tennis Davis Cup, namely four singles matches and one doubles match, the winner being the team winning the most matches. Perhaps showing an awareness of a thousand years of Franco-Anglo relations, the organisers decided that in France, French rules would apply; so, for instance, each match in France would be three 8 game sets, whereas in the UK it would be five 6 game sets.

Extensive research within the archives of the T&RA has revealed nothing. An article in The Field from 1921 states that this “generous gift” would “do a great deal to spread the knowledge of Tennis both here and abroad and to carry the revival of interest in the game that has been noticeable in the last few years.” Sadly no one has yet produced a definitive biography of the InvestigationsCountess.in the Oxford Dictionary of Biography indicate that the male members of her family were interested in hunting, flying and winter sports, but no Tennis players. A cursory review of the list of documents deposited in the archive of her papers at liessuggestUniversityLeedsdoesnottheanswerthere.Andthe

This year is to be the 100th Men’s and the inaugural Ladies Bathurst Cup, it will be held at Lords.

By Roger Pilgrim, with thanks to David Best, Brian Rich, Sam Leigh, Jamie Bruce and Chris Davies.

Annual Report 2021/22

International easy winners, 5-0. Indeed, the Times correspondent was able to note of Mr Pennell, that his singles match against M. Deves was so much within his control that he was not required to resort to his usual range of on-court practices, including “playing the ball between his legs and behind his back” and, at moments of stress, “ejaculating the word By‘Scissors’”!thefollowing year in Paris, the Americans had organised a team; as the Sunday correspondentTimeslater noted it was very “splendid” of them to turn up for a tournament that could never be played on their home soil, on the grounds that it would probably not be possible for representative teams to travel there “merely on the coarse question of money”. The first US team included their Olympic champion, Jay Gould, although it sounds from the commentary of the time that he had not put in much training for the event: “Mr Gould is decidedly portly these days […] he potters around the court”. However portly he might have seemed, Gould could still stoop for the ball, and was more than a match for the French. Indeed, the he also gave the British pair of Baerlein and Bruce a run for their money. It was only a remarkable win in the deciding rubber by Baerlein against Gould - 4/8 8/5 8/4 (French rules) - that gave the British their 3-2 victory. The USA would win in the following year and establish a pattern of US and GB victories that was unbroken until 1982 when Australia (who had started to compete in this tournament in the 1950’s) won the trophy for the first time. Turning now to the trophy and its donor, the Bathurst Cup was given by and named in honour of Lilias, Countess of Bathurst and the wife of the 7th Earl. However, Lilias (nee Borthwick) was a powerful woman in her own right. In 1908 she inherited The Morning Post, a newspaper associated with the Tory Party from her father and was its proprietor until 1924. The paper was noted for its attentions to the activities of the powerful and wealthy, its interest in foreign affairs, and in literary and artistic events: it is said to have been the first daily paper in London to publish notices of plays and concerts on a regular basis. It achieved notoriety in 1920 when it published a series of articles on the now thoroughly discredited, anti-Semitic hoax, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Her reasons for donating the Bathurst Cup are, for the moment, obscured by the mists of time.

Morning Post was not a paper providing any coverage of Tennis. So her motives remain a mystery unless someone out there knows more!

An interesting footnote emerging from the T&RA archives is that, like the more famous Jules Rimet Trophy awarded to winners of the soccer World Cup, the Bathurst Cup also went missing. In 1972 , it vanished completely, only to reappear later in the same year, after the insurance money had been collected. (The insurers were reimbursed, of course.) It is now stored securely, and winning teams hold a replica trophy commissioned in 1987.

Fisher bt Nick Brodie 6/4 6/4

Semi-finals

The Queen’s Club Nov 14 - 23, 2021

Category F Open Championship

Peter Homes & Simon Barker bt Vigrass & Turner 8/2 Final Watson & Wright bt Holmes & Barker 6/1 6/0

Benedict Yorston bt Ivo Macdonald 6/1 6/5

Cattermull (Alumni Tournament) Handicap 2021 MURTC Sep 24 - 26, 2021

Category

Final Levi Gale bt Mark Mathias 6/2 6/1

Neil Mackenzie bt Claire Fahey 6/1 6/4 3/6 6/2

First Round Louis Gordon bt Adam Player 6/5 6/4 6/2

Willis & Neill bt Lewis & Taylor 6/2 6/2

Category B Open Championship

Jamie Giddins bt Craig Greenhalgh 6/3 6/0 6/1

Singles

Giddins bt Josh Smith 2/6 3/6 6/1 6/2 6/5

Semi-finals

Richard Foulds bt Mike Cotton 2/6 3/6

Zak Eadle bt Nino Merola 3/6 2/6 6/4 6/5 6/2

Figg bt Foulds 6/5 5/6 6/5 Mayer bt Worboys 6/3 6/4

Martin McNair bt Lucas Garvin 6/4 6/4

Tim Harper bt Matt Boulton (4) 6/4 5/6 6/3

Simon Constantine bt Mark DevonaldSmith 6/1 6/5

Rob Fahey vs Gordon 6/0 6/1 6/2

Semi Finals Martin McNair bt Paul Cattermull 6/4 6/3

15-19 Competition Round 1 3rd Place Play off Alex Dyter bt Ged Parsons 4/6 6/2 6/4

James Bates lost to Mark Bonaventura 4/6 3/6

Round 3 bt Manhood 6/5 4/6 6/1 bt Besnard w/o Final bt Kempton 6/1 6/4 G Open Championship Oratory Sep 03 - 05, 2021

Final

Deciding Doubles

3rd Place Play off Lewis Williams bt Luke Danby 6/5 6/5

Archie Mayer bt Trevor Hammond 6/3 6/5

Final Mayer bt Figg 6/0 1/6 6/2 54-59 Competition Peter Lewis bt Catherine Mayer 10/4

Epsom (Wilkinson & Watson) bt Taunton (Mathers & Peregrine-Jones) 8/7

Ed Kay bt Luke Danby 6/2 6/2 5/6 6/4

Tom Durack bt William Flynn 6/4/5/6 6/3 6/3

Giddins & Yorston bt Hyde & Smart 6/1 6/3 D Open Championship Hatfield House Sep 03 - 05, 2021

6/4

Christopher Figg bt Chris Harland 6/5 6/5

Richard Foulds bt Richard Marmoy 6/2 6/4

Bryn Sayers bt Levi Gale 6/1 6/3 6/1

Levi Gale bt Jamie Douglas w/o

Final Max Trueman bt George Parsons 6/1 6/2

Robinson

Bill Ingram bt Tim Lancaster 6/1 6/3

George Parsons bt Alex Machin 6/1 6/3

Matthieu Sarlangue bt Mackenzie 6/2 6/2 6/5

Over 50 Amateur Doubles 2021

45-49 Competition Round 1

Annual Report 2021/22

Edward Smith bt Hugh Antrobus 4/6 6/3 6/3

Renaud Besnard bt Ben Andrews 6/3 4/6 6/1 James Kempton bt Barnes 6/1 6/3

Jamie Giddins & Edmund Kay bt Claire Fahey & Levi Gale 6/3 6/1 5/6 6/4

Adam Player bt James Medlow 6/5 5/6 6/1

Taylor-Matthews bt Sayers 6/2 5/6 6/3 6/5 Final Lumley bt Taylor-Matthews 4/6 6/4 6/2 6/0

N. Warner bt Sherdigian 6/0 6/0 P. Lawrence bt N. Jeffery 6/4 5/6 6/4 Third Round

Moreton Morrell lost to RTC (1) 0 5

Rayner bt A. Deakin 6/3/ 6/3 Warner bt MacAlister 6/0 6/3 S. Barker bt Lawrence 6/3 5/6 6/3 J. Symonds bt S. Talbot-Williams 6/2 6/2 Quarter-finals P. Wright bt M. Rayner 6/0 6/0 Warner bt H. Eddis w/o P. Holmes (4) bt Barker 6/2 6/2 L. Danby bt Symonds 6/3 6/1 Semi-finals Wright bt Warner 6/0 6/4 Danby bt Holmes 6/0 6/1 Final Wright bt Danby 6/2 6/3

Andy Keeley & Robert Peel bt Tim Collins & Chris Vigrass 6/0 6/2

First Round Radley bt Holyport 3-2 Prested bt Jesmond Dene 3-2

Lumley bt Fahey 6/4 6/0 6/4

Oxford bt Radley 3-2

Talbot Williams & Tom Marriot 6/5 6/4

Queen's Club bt RTC 3-0

John Lumley & Conor Medlow bt Douglas & Wright 6/1 6/1 6/3

Andrew Hodgson & Simon Roundell bt Simon

Final at Wellington Mar 05, 2022

Petworth bt Seacourt 3 2 Cambridge lost to Leamington 2 3

Semi-finals RTC bt Petworth 4 1

Bristol bt Prested 3-2 Manchester bt RTC w/o Holyport lost to Wellington 0-5 MCC bt Middlesex 3-2

See page 39 Pol Roger Trophy Final 2021/22

Semi-finals

Gordon bt Trueman 1/6 6/0 6/5

Eadle bt Williams 6/5 3/6 6/5

Lea Van der Zwalmen bt Craig Greenhalgh 6/5 6/3

First Round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

2022 The Queen’s Club Feb 12 -20, 2022

James Medlow & Max Trueman bt Richard Elmitt & James Greenley 5/6 6/4 6/0 6/2

Adam Dolman & James Acheson-Gray bt Nick

Taylor-Matthews bt Long 6/3 6/2 6/1 Sayers bt Howell 6/2 6/1 2/0 retired

Tom Shrager & Matt Potter bt Hodgson & Roundell 6/3 6/0

Williams bt Van der Zwalmen 6/0 6/2

Fahey bt Sarlangue 6/3 6/0 6/3

Tim Collins & Chris Vigrass bt Steve Mutton & Matt Boulton 6/4 6/2

Rod McNaughtan & Matthieu Sarlangue bt Giddins & Kay w/o Robert Fahey & Nick Howell bt Blaber & Wood 6/1 6/1 6/2

61 Real Tennis Match Results

Singles Last 16 M Trueman bt J Greenley 6/2 6/4 6/4 Quarter-finals

Eadle bt Danby 6/0 6/4 Trueman bt Player 6/4 6/3

First Round

J Giddins bt J Medlow 5/6 6/1 6/1 6/3 E Kay bt R Shenkman 4/6 6/3 6/2 6/3

Peter Wright & Charlie Packham bt Keeley & Peel 6/5 6/4

Lord’s MCC Mar 04-05, 2022

First Round

Final E Kay bt J Giddins 6/3 6/4 6/2

Semi-finals

Jamie Giddins & Ed Kay bt Medlow & Trueman 6/3 6/4 6/1

Doubles First Round

Queen's Club (2) bt MCC 4 1

Relegation Matches Moreton Morrell lost to Cambridge 2-3 Seacourt lost to MCC 1-4

Tom Durack & Louis Gordon bt Neil Mackenzie & Josh Smith 6/5 6/3 6/3

J Medlow bt J Douglas w/o R Shenkman bt A Dolman 6/5 6/4 6/1

Semi-finals

Preliminary Round Oxford bt Oratory 3-2

E Kay bt M Trueman 6/2 4/6 6/2 6/4

Lewis Williams bt Claire Fahey 6/1 6/4

Jamie Douglas & Peter Wright bt Dolman & Acheson-Gray 2/6 4/6 6/1 6/1 6/0

First Round

Amateur Singles and Doubles Championships

Jamie Douglas & Peter Wright bt Robert Shenkman & Darren Long 6/2 6/2 3/6 6/3

Lewis Gordon bt Tom Durack 6/5 2/6 6/2

Radley bt Hatfield 5-0 Oxford bt Prested w/o Final at MMTCC Mar 05, 2022

Moreton Morrell bt Seacourt 5-0

Levi Gale bt Chris Aley 5/6 6/2 6/3

Field Trophy Final 2021/22

Jesmond Dene bt Queen’s Club 3-2

Max Trueman bt Nick Howell 6/2 6/4 Zac Eadle bt Rob Fahey 6/3 6/2 Quarter-finals

Fahey & Howell bt Lumley & Medlow 5/6 6/2 6/5 6/0 Sayers & Taylor-Matthews bt McNaughtan & Sarlangue 6/1 6/2 6/4 Final Fahey & Howell bt Sayers & TaylorMatthews 6/5 6/4 6/4 Over 50 Amateur Singles 2021 Lord's Nov 19 - 21, 2021

Luke Danby bt Vaughan Hamilton 6/3 4/6 6/2

Second Round M. Rayner bt A. Petrie 6/3 6/5 R. MacAlister bt N. Browne 6/3 6/3

Scott Blaber & Nick Wood bt Zak Eadle & Craig Greenhalgh 6/4 6/5 6/3

J Giddins bt B Yorston 6/4 6/3 6/3 Semi-finals

Annual Report 2021/22

James & Tom Seymour-Mead 6/1 6/3 6/5 Semi-finals

Bryn Sayers & Ben Taylor-Matthews bt Durack & Gordon 6/3 6/4 6/3

Oxford vs Cambridge 151st Anniversary Varsity Match 202

Gordon bt Gale 6/3 6/5 Semi-finals

Seacourt Silver Racquet 2022 Seacourt Feb 03 - 06, 2022

Final Wright & Packham bt Shrager & Potter 6/0 6/3

Doubles Quarter-finals

Leamington bt Cambridge 3-2 Oxford bt Hardwick 4-1 Moreton Morrell lost to Canford 2-3 Bristol bt Petworth 5-0

Quarter-finals Leamington lost to Oxford 1-4 Canford lost to Bristol 1-4 Manchester lost to Wellington w/o Radley bt Jesmond 5-0

Manchester bt Newmarket w/o Hatfield lost to Wellington 0-5 Radley bt MCC 3-2

Brodie Cup Final 2021/22

D. Sheperdigian bt R. Paterson 6/2 6/4

Over 40 Amateur Doubles 2022 Prested Hall Feb 26 - 27, 2022

Final Giddins & Kay bt Douglas & Wright 6/1 6/2 3/6 6/5

Final Eadle bt Gordon 6/1 5-4 retired

Leamington lost to Queen's Club 1-4

Wellington Mar 18 - 20, 2022 40-44 Competition Round 1

Chris Manson bt Nick Geere 6/4 6/5

Richard Ramjane bt Steven Bishop 6/1 6/4

Oliviero & Mortimer bt Lawrence & Jeffery 6/5

Ed Buxton bt Brodie 6/0 6/3

Final Maltby bt Richards 6/4 6/2

Chris Handley bt Doug Sheperdigian 6/4 6/1

S Yankson bt Maj M Thornton 6/0 6/0

Geoffrey Russell bt Patrick Lawrence 6/2 3/6 6/2

Final Shaw-Hamilton & Draffan bt Weaver & Ward 8/3

Alex Brodie & Nicola Doble bt Penny Lumley & Alex Garside 5/6 6/0 6/1

Chris Lintott bt Sidney Yankson 5/6 6/1 6/5

Lea Van der Zwalmen bt Bollerman 6/3 6/3

Johnston & Harrison bt Talbot-Williams & Haswell 6/4

Lintott bt Holmberg 6/1 6/3

Tara Lumley bt Irina Dulbish 6/3 6/1

Martin Richards bt Sue Haswell 6/3 6/3

Cat D Handicap 35-39 Competition First Round

Tara Lumley bt Milija Simlesa 6/0 6/0

Over 70s Amateur Singles First Round

Richard White bt Andrew Fletcher 6/3 4/6 6/3

Maj Gen J Illingworth & S Yankson bt

Simon Talbot-Williams & Sue Haswell bt Simon Armstrong & Mel Harding 5/3 Semi-finals

Final Manson bt Gray 6/1 6/3 45- 49 Competition Round 1

Semi-finals

Final Hennessy bt Harper 6/1 6/1

Final Buxton bt Lawrence 6/2 6/2

Semi-finals

Richard White bt David Brazier 8/5

Final Shaw-Hamilton bt Weaver 8/3

LRTA British Ladies Open 2022 Seacourt 7-10 Apr, 2022 Singles Quarter-finals

Thornton & Maj O Snell 6/0 6/5

Over 70s Amateur Doubles Semi-finals

John Ward bt Moore 8/5 Alan Oliver bt De Halpert 8/0

Ladies World Championship 2022 Fontainebleau Apr 11 - 17, 2022

Real Tennis Past and Present Doubles

Simon De Halpert bt John Burnett 8/0

William Holmberg bt Andrew James 4/6 6/2 6/4

Semi-finals

Patrick Lawrence bt Alex Machin 6/2 6/3

Brewerton bt Handley 6/3 6/4

Paul Weaver & John Ward bt Alan Oliver & Simon De Halpert 8/1 Philip Shaw-Hamilton & Nigel Draffan bt

Real Tennis Match Results

Patrick Lawrence & Nick Jeffery bt Mike Seymour & Robin Barlow 5/3

Final C Fahey bt T Lumley 6/0 6/0 Doubles Quarter-finals

T Lumley bt Candy 6/1 6/0 Semi-finals Fahey bt Shuckburgh 6/2 6/1 Van der Zwalmen bt T Lumley 6/1 6/0

Manchester Mar 11 - 13, 2022

Gray bt Daly 6/4 6/3 Manson bt Ramjane 6/2 6/3

Nick Brodie bt James Kempton 6/3 5/6 6/2

Penny Lumley bt Nicola Doble w/o

N Doble & G Willis bt S Dannreuther & K Leppard 6/0 6/2 P Lumley & T Lumley bt R Law & D Wilson 6/0 6/0

Singles First Round Penny Lumley bt Alex Brodie 6/1 6/2

Claire Fahey bt P Lumley 6/0 6/0

Over 60 Amateur Singles and Doubles Championship (Kershaw Cup/Thomas Trophy) 2022

Doubles Quarter-finals

Saskia Bollerman bt Xanthe Ranger 6/1 6/1

Tara Lumley & Jess Garside bt Xanthe Ranger & Freddy Adam 6/2 6/2

Final Fahey & Shuckburgh bt Candy & Bollerman 6/0 6/1

UK Combined Services RT&R Championships 2022 The Queen’s Club May 04 - 06, 2022

Category E Open Championship

Richard Moore & Jamie Bebb 8/5

Nicola Doble bt Quitterie Idiat 6/0 6/0

John Oliviero & John Mortimer bt Martin Farnworth & Fiona Harrison 5/2 Simon Johnston & Tony Harrison bt Jamie Bebb & Ronald Paterson 5/4

Over 70 Amateur Championships 2022 Wellington Apr 02 -03, 2022

Georgie Willis bt Sarah Shuckburgh 5/6 6/1 Semi-finals6/5

Quarter-finals

Quarter-finals Sarah Shuckburgh bt Doble 6/3 6/2

Final at The Hyde Mar 13, 2022

Michael Hennessy bt Trevor Hammond 6/1 6/2

Final Fahey bt Van der Zwalmen 6/0 6/2

Annual Report 2021/22

Final Johnston & Harrison bt Oliviero & Mortimer 6/3

Wellington bt Oxford 3-2

Semi-finals

Paul Cattermull & S Heilpern bt Maj M

Doubles Quarter-finals

Semi-finals C Fahey & S Shuckburgh bt J Garside & Dulbish 6/0 6/1 Lumley & Lumley bt Doble & Willis 6/5 5/6 6/3

Semi-finals

Steve Brewerton bt Ronald Paterson 6/2 6/1

Weaver bt Ward 8/4

Isabel Candy by Ariane Huynh-Lenhardt 6/0 6/0

Tim Harper bt Araminta Oldham 6/4 6/4 Semi-finals Hennessy bt Malek Al-Chalabi 6/2 6/1

Michael Seymour bt Dick Tanfield 8/2

Richard Gray bt Ben Geytenbeek 6/2 6/2

Real Tennis Past and Present Singles

Martin Daly bt Luke Readman 6/2 6/5

Claire Fahey bt Penny Lumley 6/0 6/0 T Lumley bt Georgie Willis 6/2 6/2

Fahey & Shuckburgh bt T Lumley & J Garside 6/1 Candy6/1 & Bollerman bt Brodie & Doble 6/3 6/2

Maltby bt Jeffery 6/0 6/0 Richards bt Russell 6/4 6/5

Real Tennis Inter Services Doubles

Category D Open Championship Hatfield House Mar 18 - 20, 2022 30-34 Competition First Round

Final Lintott bt Brewerton 6/4 6/1

Semi-finals

Cdr CS Davies & Cdr S de Helpert 6/3 6/3

Philip Shaw-Hamilton bt White 8/0

J Garside & I Dulbish bt A Garside & J Newby 6/1 6/0

Richard Moore bt Andrew Brown 8/0

Bristol lost to Oxford 2-3 Radley lost to Wellington 2-3

Singles Quarter-finals

Harper bt White 3/6 6/1 6/4

Semi-finals

Paul Weaver bt Seymour 8/0

Shaw-Hamilton bt Oliver 8/6

William Maltby bt Jamie Bebb 6/1 6/1 Nick Jeffery bt Simon Talbot-Williams 6/3 6/3

FaheyFinal & Shuckburgh bt Lumley & Lumley 6/0 6/2

J Acheson-Gray & H Eddis bt S Shenkman & A Girod 6/2 6/2

J Taylor by Semenoff 6/2 6/1 S Barker bt Talbot-Williams 6/0 6/1

Day 1 W Spring & A Willingham AUS bt K Casler & D Thorpe FRA 6/1 6/0

R Corey & G Van Schaack USA bt G Kressmann & J-P.Chapellier AUS 6/2 6/1

J Bebb & R Moore GBR bt E Varigos & P Stanley AUS 6/0 6/0

Julien Bey bt Simon Shenkman 6/2 6/1

Final Wright bt Krznaric 6/1 6/3

Over 50 Singles

Day 2 P Shaw-Hamilton & J Newby GBR bt K Casler & G Smart FRA 6/0 6/0

Semi-final

3rd singles - Blanchot bt Zug 6/2 6/0

G Cornish & J Faull AUS bt G Van Schaack & V Cassin USA 6/2 6/0

Semi-finals Wright bt Bey 6/1 6/1

1st Round

JP Grabli bt J Buckley 4/6 6/4 6/2

Krznaric bt Eddis 6/3 6/5

Annual Report 2021/22

GBR bt R Carroll & P Vogt USA 6/2 6/0

Day 3 D Colquhoun & N Draffan GBR bt J Faull & W Spring AUS 6/4 3/6 6/2

Quarter-finals

A Oliver & P.Shaw-Hamilton GBR bt R Jolly & D Friend AUS 6/1 6/1 C Johnston & C Cline USA bt G Smart & R Salmon FRA 6/1 6/1

Great Britian retain the Danby Trophy

T Batten bt JGrabli 6/2 6/1 P Holmes bt Poolman 6/4 2/6 6/2

JB Dewitte & P Inchaurraga FRA 6/0 6/1 3rd doubles - J Piccolo & N Carr AUS bt P Guerout & JM Fontaine FRA 6/0 6/1 1st singles - G Bradfield AUS bt E Blanchot FRA 6/3 6/1 2nd singles - C Nobes AUS bt H Blanchot FRA 6/0 6/2 2nd doubles - J Hamer & M Hayward AUS bt R Fabre & C Huynh FRA 6/0 6/0

THIRD/FOURTH USA beat Australia 3-2

I Semenoff bt R Kininmonth 5/6 6/4 6/3

S Talbot-Williams bt B Saint-Martin 5/6 6/1 6/0

J Taylor bt R Michelson 6/0 6/1

Real Tennis World Masters 2022

Individual Paris, Bordeaux & Fontainebleau

1st doubles - Acheson-Gray & Eddis bt Buckley & Kininmonth 6/2 6/2 3rd singles - Shenkman bt Hartnell 6/0 6/2 1st singles - Wright bt Krznaric 6/1 6/4 2nd singles - Elmitt bt Emery 6/1 6/0 2nd doubles - Barker & Jarvis bt Poolman & Scopelliti 6/0 3/6 6/1 Semi-final France beat USA 3-2

W Spring & A Willingham AUS bt C Johnston & C Cline USA 6/3 6/3 V Cassin & R Corey USA bt P Stanley & R Jolly AUS 6/5 6/5

D Colquhoun & N Draffan GBR bt C Johnston & C Cline USA 6/1 6/1

Quarter-finals Roman Krznaric bt James Acheson-Gray 6/1 6/0

J Newby & P Shaw-Hamilton GBR bt G Van Schaack & V Cassin USA 6/1 6/2

5-0 1st doubles - S Aldrich & A Monoghan USA bt JB Dewitte & H Blanchot FRA 6/0 6/0 3rd doubles - P Vogt & A Monaghan USA bt R Fabre & JM Fontaine FRA 6/0 6/1 1st singles - S Hufford USA bt E Blanchot FRA 6/0 6/0 2nd singles - S Hodges USA bt P Inchaurraga FRA 6/3 2/6 6/5 2nd doubles - S Hodges & R Carroll USA bt P Guerout & C Huynh FRA 6/0 6/0 GB beat France 5-0 1st doubles - J Prenn & M Nicholls GBR bt H Blanchot & P Guerout FRA 6/0 6/1 3rd doubles - G Russell & R Paterson GBR bt JB Dewitte & R Fabre FRA 6/0 6/0 1st singles - W Maltby GBR bt E Blanchot FRA 6/0 6/1 2nd singles - D Watson GBR bt P Inchaurraga FRA 6/1 6/0 2nd doubles - S T-Williams & R MacAlister GBR bt C Huynh & JM Fontaine FRA 6/0 6/0 Australia beat USA 5-0 1st doubles - R Hince & M Hayward AUS bt S Aldrich & S Hodges USA 6/4 6/2

A Oliver & N Draffan GBR bt B Corman & D Thorpe FRA 6/0 6/0

1st singles - Wright lost to Bey 6/3 4/6 4/6 2nd singles - Elmitt bt Batten 6/2 6/4 2nd doubles - Barker & Jarvis bt Girod & Chelli 6/2 6/0 Great Britain retain the Cockram Trophy

3rd doubles - C Nobes & G Bradfield AUS bt A Monaghan & R Carroll USA 6/0 6/4 1st singles - M Happell AUS bt S Hodges USA 6/0 6/0 2nd singles - J Hamer AUS bt A Monaghan USA 6/1 6/2 2nd doubles - J Piccolo & N Carr AUS bt S Hufford & P Vogt USA 6/2 6/3

Semi-finals Barker bt Batten 6/5 6/1 Holmes bt Taylor 2/6 6/2 6/2

J Wintersteen & S Herlihy bt JP Grabli & I Semenoff 6/3 6/3

P Wright & R Krznaric bt M Hartnell & T Poolman 6/0 6/2

Harry Eddis bt Jeremy Wintersteen 6/4 6/1

GB beat Australia 5-0

Final Wright & Krznaric bt Acheson-Gray & Eddis 5/6 6/3 6/2 Over 55 Singles

GB beat USA 5-0 1st doubles - D Watson & M Nicholls GBR bt S Aldrich & P Vogt USA 6/3 6/2 3rd doubles - G Russell & R Paterson

E Varigos & D Friend AUS bt G Smart & G Kressmann FRA 6/1 6/2

T Poolman bt A Girod 2/6 6/3 6/4

Blanchot & A Boy bt G Devereux & P Jarvis 6/4 6/1

J Bebb & S Johnston GBR bt R Salmon & D Chapellier FRA 6/0 6/0

Over 60s Bostwick Trophy (Bordeaux) GB beat Australia 3-2 1st doubles- D Watson & M Nicholls GBR bt R Hince & M Hayward AUS 6/4 6/4 3rd doubles - R MacAlister & S TalbotWilliams GBR bt C Nobes & J Hamer AUS 6/1 6/3 1st singles - W Maltby GBR lost to M Happell AUS 2/6 0/6 2nd singles - J Prenn GBR bt G Bradfield AUS 6/1 6/0 2nd doubles - R Compton-Burnett & G Russell UK lost to N Carr & J Piccolo AUS 2/5 USAretiredbeatFrance

J Faull & G Cornish AUS bt B Corman & R Salmon FRA 6/0 6/0

Final Barker bt Holmes 6/3 6/2

Australia beat France 5-0 1st doubles - M Happell & R Hince AUS bt

FINAL GB beat France 4-1 1st doubles - Acheson-Gray & Eddis bt Semenoff & Grabli 6/2 6/1 3rd singles - Shenkman bt Blanchot 6/5 6/4

1st doubles - Semenoff & Grabli lost to Devereux & Soffer 4/6 4/6

GBR bt R Carroll & S Hodges USA 6/1 6/1 1st singles - W Maltby GBR bt S Hufford USA 6/5 6/3 2nd singles - J Prenn GBR bt S Hodges USA 6/0 6/1 2nd doubles - S T-Williams & R MacAlister

Semi-finals Wright & Krznaric bt Wintersteen & Herlihy 6/3

Acheson-Gray6/1 & Eddis bt Wintersteen & Herlihy 6/1 6/4

Over 50s Doubles Quarter-finals

Over 70s Danby Trophy (Fontainebleau)

S Johnston & R Moore GBR bt V Cassin & R Corey USA 6/2 6/3

Peter Wright bt Kenneth Soffer 6/0 6/3

Great Britain retain the Bostwick Cup

63 Real Tennis Match Results Real Tennis World Masters 2022 Paris, Bordeaux & Fontainebleau May 14 - 17, 2022

1st singles - Bey bt Wintersteen 6/5 4/6 3/6 2nd singles - Batten bt Barker 6/5 6/3 2nd doubles - Marville & Boy lost to Herlihy & Hill 4/6 3/6

May 17 - 27, 2022

1st doubles - Wintersteen & Soffer bt Buckley & Kininmonth 6/3 6/0 3rd singles - Zug lost to Hartnell 3/6 4/6 1st singles - Barker lost to Krznaric 1/6 4/6 2nd singles - Devereux bt Emery 6/3 6/0 2nd doubles - Herlihy & Hill bt Poolman & Scopelliti 6/3 6/0

Over 50s Cockram Trophy (Paris)

Taylor-Matthews bt Lumley 6/5 6/1 6/5

Rob Fahey bt Ben Taylor-Matthews 6/1 3/6 6/5 6/5

Shaw-Hamilton bt Johnston 6/0 6/1 Oliver bt Spring 6/5 6/0 Final Shaw-Hamilton bt Oliver 6/0 6/1

J Ward bt Wilks 6/5 6/2

J Hamer bt R Paterson 6/2 6/3

M Nicholls bt J Fisher 6/2 6/4 S Hufford bt Sheperdigian 6/3 6/4

A Oliver bt Friend 6/0 6/0 W Spring bt de Halpert 6/1 6/1

First Round Nick Geere bt Oliver Hunter 6/4 6/4

Second Round Mark McMurrugh bt Geere 6/1 6/2

First Round H Saint bt J-P Chapellier 6/1 6/1

Peter Wright bt C. Danby 6/3 6/2

Semi-finals

Over 55 Doubles Quarter-finals

Qualifying Rounds

Mackenzie bt Williams 9/7 Gale bt Smith 9/2

J Hamer & D Watson bt W Maltby & M Nicholls 2/6 6/5 6/4 Final Hamer & Watson bt Happell & Prenn 6/0

Quarter-finals

Annual Report 2021/22

Ward bt White 6/4 6/3 de Halpert bt Wilks 6/3 6/1 Final de Halpert bt Ward 6/3 6/1

Charlie Danby bt Gary Duncan 6/2 6/2 Semi-finals

Over 65 Doubles Quarter-finals

Final Ward & Wilks bt de Halpert & Willingham 4/6 6/4 6/4

Bradfield & Hayward bt Talbot-Williams & Semenoff 6/1 4/6 6/5 Barker & Holmes bt Taylor & Poolman 6/1 6/2

J Prenn & M Nicholls bt M Stefanowicz & J Fisher 6/1 6/2 P Inchaurraga & R Paterson bt J Hamer & N Carr 6/2 2/6 6/5 W Spring & S Hufford bt E Varigos & S Hodges 6/2 6/1

Main Draw Day Two Taylor-Matthews bt Sayers 6/3 6/4 6/0

Taylor & Poolman bt Buckley & Michelson 6/5 6/2

David Watson bt Richard MacAlister 6/2 6/3

S Johnston bt G Van Schaack 6/4 6/5 P Shaw-Hamilton bt Cassin 6/0 6/3 Semi-finals

Quarter-finals

H Saint & B Anscombe bt G Kressman & R White w/o R Barlow & M Seymour bt WRG Corey & J Zacher 6/1 6/1

Quarter-finals

Happell bt Watson 6/2 6/3

Johnston & Oliver bt Willingham & Cornish 6/0 6/1

J Ward & W Wilks bt JP Chapellier & R Salmon 6/2 6/1

John Prenn bt Patrick Lawrence 6/2 6/1 Semi-finals

M Happell & J Prenn bt N Carr & M Hayward 6/2 6/2

S Aldrich & G Bell bt P Stanley & D Friend 6/0 6/0

Spring & de Halpert bt Van Schaak & Cassin 6/2 Shaw-Hamilton6/4 & Newby bt Johnston & Oliver 6/1 6/3

Levi Gale bt Neil Mackenzie 9/6

Aldrich & Bell bt Inchaurraga & Paterson 6/1 6/1 Prenn & Nicholls bt Spring & Hufford 6/1 6/2

Semi-finals Ward & Wilks bt Saint & Anscombe 6/1 6/0 de Halpert & Willingham bt Barlow & Seymour 6/4 6/5

J Ward bt Saint 6/0 6/1 R White bt M Seymour 6/1 6/3 S de Halpert vs Anscombe 6/2 6/2 Wilks bt F Bernheim w/o Semi-finals

Final Barker & Holmes bt Bradfield & Hayward 6/4 6/4

Over 70s Doubles Quarter-finals

Over 60 Singles

1st Round W Wilks bt J Zacher 6/1 6/0

Semi-finals M Seymour bt R Barlow 6/4 4/6 retired

Royal Tennis Court Jun 21 - 26, 2022

Spring & de Halpert bt Thorpe & Soutter w/o Van Schaack & Cassin bt Stanley & Friend 6/2 Shaw-Hamilton6/1 & Newby bt Chapellier & Salmon w/o Semi-finals

Luke Danby bt McMurrugh 6/3 6/0

William Maltby bt Graeme Bradfield 6/1 6/1

Over 75 Singles

Quarter-finals

Chapman bt Long 6/3 6/2 6/2

Semi-finals

Final Fahey bt Taylor-Matthews 6/2 4/6 6/2 6/3

Final Shaw-Hamilton & Newby bt Spring & de Halpert 6/3 3/6 6/1

Real Tennis Match Results

Over 80s Doubles

W Wilks bt G Kressmann 6/4 6/4 B Anscomb bt G Soutter 6/0 6/0

retired Over 65 Singles 1st Round

Gale bt Williams 9/0

Bryn Sayers bt Mackenzie 6/2 6/1 6/2

Fahey bt Chapman 6/2 6/1 6/4

Final Prenn & Nicholls bt Aldrich & Bell 6/2 6/3

Prenn bt Hufford 6/4 6/1 Nicholls bt Carr w/o Final Prenn bt Nicholls 6/2 6/0

Darren Long bt Gale 6/5 5/6 6/2 5/6 6/2

Over 75 Doubles

Final J Ward & W Wilks bt R Barlow & M Seymour 6/4 5/6 6/0

Final Danby bt Wright w/o

Semi-finals

Over 60 Doubles Semi-finals

J Prenn bt Hamer 6/1 6/0 N Carr bt Inchaurraga 6/0 6/1

P Inchaurraga bt M Stefanowicz 6/5 6/0

Champions Trophy 2022

Over 40 Open Singles Championship 2022

JunSeacourt10-12, 2022

Main Draw Day One

D Sheperdigian bt S Hodges 6/0 6/1

Over 80s Singles

Prenn bt Maltby 5/6 4/4 retired Final Happell bt Prenn 6/2 4/6 6/2

Mackenzie bt Smith 9/6

Over 70s Singles 1st Round V Cassin bt G Cornish 3/6 6/2 6/5 D Friend bt J Newby 3/6 6/3 6/3 S de Halpert bt P Stanley 6/2 6/2 Quarter-finals

John Lumley bt Chris Chapman 6/3 6/1 6/5

Talbot-Williams & Semenoff bt Girod & Saint-Martin 6/1 6/4 Semi-finals

R White bt R Salmon 6/3 6/0

Mike Happell bt Geoffrey Russell 6/1 6/2

Lewis Williams bt Josh Smith 9/5

Final Ward bt Seymour 6/0 6/0

T&RA Real Tennis Awards

2021

Paul Weaver was awarded volunteer of the year. Bertie Vallet was awarded the best junior performance award. Chris Ronaldson was presented with a lifetime achievement award. Retiring T&RA Chairman, David Watson, commemorated the volunteer of the Year, T&RA Director of Junior Tennis, Paul Weaver, who managed to hold numerous events, including the Junior British Open, during breaks in the lockdown. Paul has run this prestigious event for the last 21 years. A true servant to Real Tennis, Paul has been instrumental in generating many of today’s top players and professionals who first picked up a racquet at Seacourt.

Paul Weaver - Volunteer of the Year Chris Ronaldson, Lifetime Achievement Award

Annual Report 2021/22

Bertie - Gray’s Junior of the Year

And most recently Bristol where he and Maggie are doing an amazing job to renew and revitalise this great facility. Chris has always been ready to offer his advice and expertise to all who have sought it but he has never courted recognition or reward for all that he has done. He and Les ran the British junior tournament for many years, he was a driving force behind the RTO handicap system and has led many other quiet programs that could easily have earned him the volunteer of the year award. His achievements are too numerous to mention! This trophy takes the form of a handcrafted racquet made by his friend Graham Highland and I know he will treasure it and the grateful recognition that goes alongside it. The inscription says “Presented by the T&RA to Chris Ronaldson in appreciation of a lifetime of selfless dedication to Real Tennis”.

Bertie Vallat (Queen’s) was presented with the Grays Junior of the Year award following his own successful year winning the Under 16 Open Championship in the ASummer.lifetime achievement award was presented to Chris Ronaldson (Radley) who has dedicated an astonishing 50 years in service to the game. During this time, he has revived courts and clubs and was instrumental behind the Radley Court built in 2008. David Watson’s citation: "I believe it is the first such - a lifetime achievement award - is being presented to an individual who, in my view, has done more to shape and enhance the future of Real Tennis in this country, and internationally, than any other individual. Chris Ronaldson was a great world champion between 1981 and 1987 - a proud and impressive achievement - but it is not primarily for this that I bestow this award. Earlier this year, Chris completed 50 years as a club professional.

I can state with complete confidence that he has transformed and revolutionised every club he has worked at. His drive, work ethic and commitment are unparalleled and he has built thriving new clubs from scratch just as he has re-energised those suffering in troubled times. From the start of his career when he was drawn from Oxford to launch the new two court Melbourne facility, returning back to the U.K. to Troon where he and Les generated almost 90 hours of play in a week and then to Hampton Court where the court was only getting eight or nine hours of play a week and now regularly exceed 100 hours. He and Les brought life and energy to a club covered in dust and cobwebs and I vividly remember the procession of future stars who came to work and learn their craft at the feet of the master. More recently on to Radley, to build a whole new membership and activity from zero-base to it becoming one of the most active courts in the country.

Annual Report 2021/22

67 Tennis Club Reports

Our thanks as always to our fantastic professional team: Kees, Peter, Adam and our fab IiP apprentice Jim, whose handicap is getting dangerously close to his age....and to Ben Geytenbeek for giving so freely of his time and being willing to share his technology and expertise in the new world of Real Tennis streaming. Pol Roger have again been wonderfully supportive of our events and we remain steadfastly appreciative of their delicious portfolio of champagne, wine and whisky! As a final note, many congratulations were offered to Tony Kenedy and Camice Revier who tied the knot in wonderful Real Tennis style in the beautiful setting of Granchester this summer. The two of them are avid players of the game, and regular members of our weekend fixtures team.

Many congratulations to Ed Kay, Jamie Douglas and Jamie Giddins who continue to play at the very top of the amateur game. We all thoroughly enjoy the exhibition matches these stellar players come back and offer at our events. Many in the Real Tennis community will remember Fiona Brown. Fiona sadly passed away on September 26th in the Arthur Rank Hospice. Fiona was a very long-standing member of CURTC, as a player, a supporter, a generous sponsor, and as a member of the committee. For many years she was a wonderfully efficient and hard-working club secretary, tolerant and wise, during crucial phases of the club’s development. She was much loved, admired and appreciated.

Clubs has been full thanks to our incredibly hard-working fixtures secretary and great fun was had by all the members signing up to play both here and away. We have been working hard to recruit new members, with free taster sessions regularly available and have enjoyed seeing some new and fast improving faces around the club. A particularly strong contingent is emerging from the old University rugby blues! At the elite level, we were thrilled to see all Cambridge alumni in the Amateur Champions singles and (half of the) doubles finals, the Silver Racquet final and the Gold Racquet final.

Left: Alex and Bella beat Igor and Ariane in the Divison 1 final of the Cambridge Mixed Doubles. Right: The exhibition match for the Giraffe Club Cup with Jamie Douglas, Jamie Giddins, Ed Kay and Patrick Smart.

Camice Revier and Tony Kennedy’s Real Tennis arch on their exit from Grantchester Church

We are very happy to report that since the lifting of covid measures the most northern of the Real Tennis clubs has been enjoying a vibrant return to normal business. We have welcomed playing guests from Lords, Queen’s, Melbourne, New York and Washington, all of whom enjoyed their time on court. Team visits from Jesmond Dene, Prested Hall and Moreton Morrell have been planned for the future, so if you wish to pay us a visit for a few sets and a decent meal over a long summer’s weekend, do get in touch!

REAL TENNIS CAN F ORD CAN F ORD

Steve’s departure was marked by a huge gathering of members past and present – over 100 were in attendance, spilling over onto the court from the Dedans – which involved much revelry, drinking and stories of games gone by. There was much laughter and not a few tears. Steve and Barbara are now happily settled in the Scottish borders and at the last count Steve had joined at least three golf clubs!

CanfordCanford By David Dickson, Chairman

The world Championship Challenge has been a long time in the waiting, but the 140 Canford balls are still ready to go for the big match in September between Camden Riviere and Rob Fahey. The Club’s junior programme has bounced back well post-covid with four shiny new racquets and up to 20 youngsters on the squash and Real Tennis courts regularly over the last 12 months and our thanks go to the Dedanists for all their support. We also had four of our young players (Tom, Vincent, Toby and Gabriel) involved for the first time in the PLH Junior Real Tennis Competition – fantastic experience for all of them.

School development opportunities continue to grow with pupils at the School National Singles and Doubles Championships. Gabriel Davey and Tom Chissell went to the U15s British Junior Open, with David Offer and Tom Clark being invited to the World Junior Championships at Seacourt in August. We had tense home and away fixtures against the Hyde and introduced a successful mixed pupils and members match against the Dedanists. Next year we are excited to have an Old Canfordians vs. Pupils match and are keen to invigorate our OC links over the coming years.

68 In last year’s report I broke the sad news of Steve Ronaldson’s retirement as Professional at Canford after a mere 39 years!

Falkland Palace Falkland Palace

The Tennis Court hallways, changing room and office have been rejuvenated having been newly painted and decorated throughout. All in all the club finds itself in fine fettle and as always will provide a great welcome for any visiting players.

By Ewan Lee, Secretary

Steve’s last Assistant, James Ryan, has taken over the reins and his enthusiasm and energy in the role have already paid dividends. After five arduous months alone in charge, dividing his time between school and club commitments, James was joined in January by a new young assistant, Vaughan Hamilton. Vaughan has grown up playing Tennis at Moreton Morrell and has proved a great addition to club and school, throwing himself energetically into all aspects of the job from day one. At only 22 years of age and already with a handicap of 17, he will definitely be one to watch over the coming years. James and Vaughan are both actively involved in the Investing in Professionals Post-programme.covid,there was clearly a wariness associated with returning to the game and at one point the club’s membership had dropped to 75. However, thanks in large measure to a membership drive led by James and Vaughan, we are now in a much healthier position with over 130 members.

Tennis Club ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

We put together our first Brodie Cup team for a number of years, superbly captained by Oliver Hunter – and the whole team are excited to go again next year. There are plans to enter at least two National League teams and a Field Trophy team for next season. There have been a number of club competitions taking place simultaneously which has kept the court very busy. One of these is a new competition named “The Two Ronnies” in honour of Steve Ronaldson, with 52 players entered. It involves a degree of both skill and luck with no one knowing exactly what is going on – just the way Steve would have liked it! In March we welcomed a Premier League Match – Team Taylor-Mathews vs Team Sayers. It was a fantastic evening with the Dedans packed with pupils, members and many faces new to the game who were treated to an exhibition of incredible Tennis. The eventual winners were Ben TaylorMathews and Robert Shenkman beating Bryn Sayers and Neil MacKenzie 2-1.

Tennis Club Reports Ball production at Falklands Palace

The Cat D winners were Ed Buxton (30-35) and Chris Lintott (35-40). Our Billy Ross Skinner winners were Paul Bollerman and Minty Oldham who were victorious over Chris Lintott and Izzy Hunt. Both tournaments were a huge success and many thanks to Sarah Sullivan and her team of helpers, who made the BRS such an enjoyable tournament. These tournaments and all other activity at the club would not be possible without the consistently excellent performance from our two professionals Jon Dawes and James Law.

We have been able to complete further refurbishment projects this past year, as part of on-going mission to keep HHTC looking and playing in first class condition. Our latest projects included the full refit of the ladies changing rooms, an overhaul of the electric system and the implementation of a state of the art streaming service for matches and coaching.

2019/20

HardwickHardwick

After an unusual couple of years, we are pleased to see our court back in full action with increased court usage and a growing membership. Fortunately, we were able to return to a full schedule of internal competitions, National League matches and club matches. This season we hosted both the Category D competition and the Billy Ross Skinner invitational mixed doubles.

By Tim Tomalin, Chariman By Steve Brewerton, Chairman

Annual Report 2021/22

It was with great sadness that we learned in March that Adrian Snow had died. Adrian was a founder member of The Friends of Hardwick Tennis Court, serving first as treasurer and subsequently for many years, as chairman. He loved the game and the court at Hardwick. As a keen handyman he took a very much hands on approach to the development of the changing rooms and the kitchen in the dedans, which play such a large part in the social life of the club. Adrian was keen that Real Tennis be revived through the promotion of the game in schools, and that new courts should be built. It was through his enthusiasm and support that the court at the Oratory, the first new court for eighty years, was developed. He will be fondly remembered at Hardwick and as a great asset to the Real Tennis community. For the rest, life at Hardwick continues gently as ever. Isolated as it is, life on the estate and at the court seemed barely touched by the pandemic and activity at the court has recovered quickly from the imposed restrictions. In spite of the urgent desire of many to rush to the airport and seaside as travel became easier, our level leagues in the autumn were successfully completed, as were our winter tournaments, there was even a result from a long postponed, but not forgotten, doubles final from the season. We were pleased to be able to return our Lady Rose weekend and AGM to its traditional date in the spring. This was in fact “Another General Meeting” as, in order to keep everyone informed and our constitution properly followed over the hiatus, we had held catch up meetings over the internet. Though victory in the Brodie Cup and our regular Bickley Derbies against Newmarket and Moreton Morrell continue to elude us, our small corps of regular players are determined that eventually we will prevail! Meanwhile Hardwick continues to be a popular venue for roving teams, and is regularly visited by the curious from far afield. We are grateful for the support of many who are unable to visit the court frequently.

Hatfield House Hatfield House

s we reflect on the 2021/22 season we must first give thanks to John Evans, whose near decade of stewardship of Holyport Real Tennis Club came to a conclusion at the beginning of the season, signing off with another successful Holyport Bowl. John’s time at Holyport saw the club make many positive changes and I am grateful to have taken over such a beautiful and well run club chock-full full of potential. I know the club and the members are tremendously grateful to the hours of time and effort that John put into Holyport, so on behalf of everyone here we give a heartfelt thank you John. I would also like to give a personal thank you to both the ownership and membership of Holyport, who have warmly welcomed me into their club. I wanted to hit the ground running, and our goals this season revolved around getting our members back into the swing of Tennis. After the pandemic, a season with no interruptions would be a success and we wanted to create some momentum; we had a full list of matches, tournaments, events, and set about providing a warm and social atmosphere at the club - all things that have been difficult to achieve throughout Top class court conditions at Hatfield House covid-19. I am delighted to report success in all of these areas, and we rounded off the season on Finals Day where our Club Singles (Andy Keeley), Club Doubles (Andy Keeley and Charles Human), Handicap Singles (Theo Besnard) and Bandit Cup Doubles (Sarah Lambie and Richard Bird) were played and crowned in front of the most supporters that we have seen all year. Nick Parkinson and Richard Bird receive great thanks for their brilliant contributions on the catering and the trophies. We are happy to report increases in membership, a target we will continue into the coming season. We are also pleased to have installed streaming facilities, and plan to offer a range of video services to the members. As we look ahead we intend to continue our current trajectory with a particular view to establishing a junior programme, engaging with local sports clubs and schools, and to give our members new services and support to their Tennis including a new online club shop. We very much look forward to the coming season, building on what we have achieved this year. In May we completed our internal competitions and we now have Nick Baker as our club champion, beating Mark Rayner in the final. Our club doubles champions, Martin Richard and Nick Brodie retained their title for another

Byyear.Josh Smith, Head Professional

70 Tennis Club Reports

HolyportHolyport

Annual Report 2021/22

HydeHyde

In March we were delighted to have the opportunity to host the FLM National League Premier Division giving our members the opportunity to watch the game played at the very highest level. In the A string singles Bryn Sayers, having never played at the Hyde before, beat local boy Ben Matthews in a fabulous match winning the division in the process. In the B string, two more local protagonists Levi Gale and Neil Mackenzie gave us a stirring spectacle with Neil winning in two sets and, in a fine example of the art of doubles, Ben and Levi paired up to defeat Bryn and Neil. Overall, it was a fabulous evening of Tennis and much enjoyed by a packed dedans. Hopefully this brilliant initiative will be repeated and we can welcome back these top class players again. The success of our Club would be nothing without our wonderful professionals, Jez Brodie and Stephen Grier and once again, I would like to thank them for all their hard work and cheerful demeanour.

As well as all our internal Club competitions we were also busy hosting external competitions including the Category B (10-14 and 15-19) competition as well as the Brodie Cup and Chetwood Trophy finals and the FLM National League Premier Division. In the Cat B 15-19, Chris Alez and James Law faced off in a tense three set thriller with Chris narrowly taking the match 6/5 in the final set after a magnificent see-saw battle. In the 10-14 category the dedans was full of Members as we were treated to an all Hyde final as close neighbours Levi Gale and Mark Mathias took each other on. This was a match of the highest quality with Gale finally closing it out 6/2 6/3 after some incredible restes and powerful forces. The Chetwood Trophy was won by Wellington’s John Amor who beat Matt Boulton of Seacourt in two sets, thus claiming the prize that had eluded him four years ago. In the Brodie Cup final, Wellington overcame Oxford 3-2 in another excellent and closely fought match.

71 Tennis Club Reports

Top: The Wellington Brodie Cup team lift the trophy after a close final against Oxford. The final was played at Hyde. Above: A friendly welcome in Dorset.

By Adrian Paterson, Chairman As ever, do drop in and see us if you are ever in this beautiful part of the world.

t has been an absolute joy to have been able to move on from the covid era and for all our members to have been able to get back to playing regular Tennis. Court usage is back to prepandemic levels and our Membership is once again gently growing. I am also pleased to report that progress with our juniors continues apace with a core group of U16s having regular coaching sessions. Our Club is now fully refurbished following our fund raise in 2020 and, after much back and forth with the planners, we successfully completed the replacement of our pot holed drive with tarmac which has been a great relief to us all.

Annual Report 2021/22

Jesmond Dene

We started the new season with renewed optimism after successful refurbishment of the club’s facilities. At the beginning of October we were pleased to welcome old friends and new for the Great North Doubles. This is an open handicap tournament with our annual dinner held on court on the Saturday night. The Tennis was very competitive and the eventual winners were John Duns and Darren Spurling who beat Tony Harrison and Craig Swallow – not the first time that the Harrison Family feature in handicap tournament finals. The dinner was great fun and the festivities continued until late. The Club Handicap Singles again featured the Harrisons with Tony as ruthless as ever, beating his wife, Fiona, in the final. The Club Handicap Doubles was an exception, not featuring a Harrison in the final, and was won by Ralph Jackson and Archie Mayer who beat Bryan Eaton and Chris Marks. In December we played against Prested Hall in the Field Trophy and had a very close match. It stood at 2 matches all and youngster Tom Hetherington looked all set to complete the win at one set all and 4-2 up in the third when injury hit. After an injury break he was able to continue but was clearly struggling and couldn’t complete the win. The following day the Brodie Cup team were outplayed at Radley.

The other major competitions were the Sir Andrew Noble Doubles where Will Todd and Charlie Wells beat Rachel Hollington and Fiona Harrison, the Williamsons Handicap Singles, won by low handicapper Alex Dyter (who beat Fiona Harrison) and the Ladies Singles was won by Fiona Harrison.

72 Tennis Club Reports

John Lumley receiving the Jesmond Dene Cup

LeamingtonLeamington

We are grateful to Mark and Zak Eadle for their enthusiasm and dedication as professionals. Zak, in particular, has endeavoured to bring high quality Tennis to Jesmond with a National League team and drove the expansion of the Jesmond Dene Cup, sponsored by Queensway Dental. It attracted a very high quality field including many of the top professionals, who all seemed to enjoy their visit. The spectators were treated to some breathtaking Tennis and, in the final, John Lumley proved too strong for Bryn Sayers to win in two sets.

Jesmond Dene

Sadly, in June our former Chairman, Freddy Such, passed away. He helped the club through its development to becoming a full time Real Tennis club in the nineties. He was an enthusiastic player and great supporter of the club and will be sorely missed. Jesmond Dene has great ambitions to develop the facilities and expand the Tennis and we have been fortunate to have secured a grant from a local charity, the Catherine Cookson Foundation, with a great deal of help from The Dedanists’ Foundation, which will help us to make further improvements over the summer.

By Richard MacAlister, Chairman

Founded in 1846, Leamington Tennis Court Club.

We’ve been sending our champagne over to you from Épernay ever since our family first created it back in 1849. Refined and elegant, it’s the perfect accompaniment to every special occasion. Of course, what constitutes a special occasion is entirely up to you. Delight in every moment.

By Giles ChairmanPemberton, After a nil return in 2020/21 the season kicked off with a new fixture against The Army in early September. With the season now finished results were mixed but enthusiasm unbounded. Owing to fixture congestion the DW Cull Trophy normally held in October was not played. Skills Night organized by Ian Harris in early November proved ever popular with 18 players of all standards gathering for a convivial evening. Team “Three Sheets to the Wind” consisting of Tony Friend, Catherine Walker and Nick Esses won the event in style.

MCCMCC

Chairman Annual Report 2021/22

74 Tennis Club Reports

The Club is in good heart – to such an extent that a syndicate of members has “invested” in a 6-year-old hurdler, in training locally, being prepared for a September campaign in the Club name. Watch this space. Many congratulations are due to Robert Shenkman, who has become the latest on the Honour roll in the USA, having won the Amateur titles at both singles and doubles for 2022. And finally, congratulation to all the MTRC representatives across the age categories in the recently-held Masters in France. Simon Shenkman (over-50s), Jamie Bebb (over70s) and Robin Barlow (over-80s) all won their respective team events.

The Manchester Legal Eagles

ManchesterManchester

The Club has undergone extensive repairs to the external structure of the building, in particular the roof, over the course of the last two years and we are very grateful to all who contributed to the cost. The final bill was signed off earlier this year and we now hope for no more leaks on the courts. This has allowed us to engage in post-lockdown freedoms, starting with the annual curtain-raiser, the Pennant final. In a repeat of last year’s event. the Legal Eagles beat the Erratics, a triumph gained overall by the traditional tactic of dropping their most senior player throughout the season and playing their fast-improver instead. The Smithie weekend doubles was won by Jonathan Heaton and John Clarkson, who beat John Mortimer and John Oliviero 6/3. In the Manchester Gold Racquet in October, doubles took centre stage. In the singles final, Ben Cawston beat Theo Taylor 15/2 15/1 15/4 and then teamed up with Alex Duncliffe-Vines to beat Christian Portz and Robert Shenkman 15/0 15/6 15/5. This was Robert’s first year as tournament organiser, having taken over from the estimable Brendan Hegarty, who had revived the tournament in the early part of the century and nursed it to its present standing on the international stage and to whom the Club owes a great debt of gratitude. In November, we held the delayed handicap singles which, in a final that ended 7-all 40-all, was won by the Hon. Sec., Jamie Bebb, who just prevailed, giving receive-15 owe-30 one serve banned tambour to his opponent Aaron Peden. He held the title for a matter of a mere few weeks, however, as the current running of the event was held in February and here things were more straightforward. The fastimproving Abdullah Naveed beat Charles Whitaker 8/3. The Bentley Doubles in December inspired another tight thriller. Mike Purcell and Charles Whitaker beat Jamie White and David Summersgill 8/7, the final game also going to 40-all! A slightly narrower handicap was involved than that of the earlier singles, with the winners receiving 30 and the losers owing 40. The Kershaw Cup and Thomas trophy were held in March. In a repeat of the previous (2020) final, William Maltby beat Martin Richards 6/4 6/2 , with Martin not quite able to reproduce the intensity and accuracy of his power hitting that had so disconcerted William on the previous occasion. The B singles was won by Paul Butler, who beat Ronald Paterson 6/2. In the Thomas Trophy final, the rock-steady Jesmond pairing of Simon Johnston and Tony Harrison beat the more volatile regular pair, John Mortimer and John Oliviero 6/3. Darren Long and Robert Shenkman went through the National League season unbeaten and played the Oratory – Clare Fahey and Levi Gale – in the final in Manchester, which they won 2 matches to nil in front of a roisterously partisan gallery. Robert was undefeated throughout the campaign and took the tournament MVP award.

By Jamie Bebb,

Mason Sharp Cup - Kate Evers and Jonathan Ellis-Miller

The Club’s young assistant professional Jack Clifton left in April. Chris Bray has just been appointed as new Head Professional. He has been with the Club since August last on an advisory basis and will take up his new role in July. Looking ahead, the Club will be hosting the Centenary of the Bathurst Cup from 8 to 15 October 2022. The GB team (current holders) will be captained by Jamie Douglas.

Princes Cup Finalists: Winners LRTA (Katie Lappard & Candida Nicholls) and Hamsters (Robert Frost & Charlie Kearl)

The winners of the internal competitions in February were:

MCC Pol Roger team lost to Queen’s Club in the early stages and had to win an eliminator against Seacourt to stay in the event next season. With a considerably strengthened team they duly won. In the Brodie Cup MCC beat MURTC in the first round but lost narrowly to Radley in the second round.

WH Ollis Cup – James McDermott beat Andrew Hinds

RG Paterson Bowl – Ben Jeffery beat Ben Martin MCC Generations Cup (Christie Trophy) - Giles and Hugh Pemberton beat James and Conor Coley

DP Henry Cup – Ben Jeffery beat Richard Gray

R Aird Cup – Nick and Ben Jeffery beat Ronald Paterson and Chris Thomas

Essential work to the Tennis Court roof was successfully carried out in January to March as were internal redecorations to the professionals’ area and male and female changing rooms, all of which has given the area a smarter feel.

By Simon Hobson, Chairman Itook over as Chairman from Sir Andrew Hamilton last July and want to recognise his outstanding service to the club. Andrew was Chairman for 20 years, during which MMTCC has thrived, building membership and participation, becoming a registered charity and replacing the deteriorating Bickley floor. The floor is a stunning success and Bruce Paxton’s recognition as floor expert to the Tennis world is well deserved. A new trophy has been created in Andrew’s honour and Bruce was awarded honorary life membership, in recognition of their individual contributions. (Note that our Articles of Association as a Charity now limit the tenure of the Chair so history will not be repeated by me!)

Club Reports

Monthly Tennis Club Nights were reintroduced in January. Participation has been good and has provided members with the opportunity to play and meet informally with fellow members. Younger players (under 35) evenings continue to be held on Mondays with enthusiastic participation and included a pre-Christmas Festive Club Night, Henry Stuttaford and Tom Guest winning the doubles suitably hatted.

HD Johns Cup – Gareth Zundel and Sebastian Wood beat Jonathan Ellis-Miller and Richard Spencer

Osborn Parker Cup - Sebastian Wood and James Leeper

Tennis

The Club hosted the 151th Varsity Match in early March with dinner in the Long Room at which the guest speaker was former MCC President Mike Griffith. Oxford men beat Cambridge and Cambridge women beat Oxford.

The MCC All Comers Tournament was won by Rob Shenkman. The delayed MCC Gold Racquet for 2021 was played at the end of March between the holder Ed Kay and Jamie Douglas, the latter winning his tenth trophy. The 2022 Gold Racquet was successfully defended by Jamie against Ed in June.

The Club’s major internal event, the Tennis Weekend was held at the end of January. The winners were:

Moreton Morrell Moreton Morrell

Fundraising for the floor restoration was finally drawn to a close with a much delayed but tremendous Gala Dinner on June 11th where Rory Bremner regaled us with comments from many celebrities including Donald Trump’s views on “Moreton Morrelle”. It was great to see many players from other clubs competing in the weekend handicap doubles tournament, won by the LRTA pair Katie Leppard and Candida Nicholls. Thanks to

Annual Report 2021/22

By Julian Ashby, Chairman This has been a year of exceptional highs and lows for the Club. Following our very successful Crowdfunding campaign, we have smartened up our court facilities, invested heavily in student Tennis and gained new members. We are grateful to the many people across the Real Tennis community who supported us. We have also had a very active year on the court. We took in the first IIP trainee Jack Josephs who had a very successful spell at the club. Within 9 months Jack was down to a 27 handicap and able to carry out all aspect of the professional job well. This in turn lead him to securing a job at the Royal Tennis Court and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. The Cattermull Cup was again a great success with another fantastic entry, in the end it was the team of Felix Delaforce and Jonathan Potter who lifted the trophy for Winchester after 3 days of high quality doubles play. The worlds best then descended on the club for The Real 10. It was a superb exhibition of Tennis as Rob Fahey, Bryn Sayers, Ben Taylor-Matthews, Josh Smith and Will

The Court has been under threat for some time. We presented a strong case to the University for the renewal of our lease and gained widespread support across the Real Tennis world. In the end the University decided that they had better uses for the space on what is now their core campus and have given us four years notice. Our appeal was rejected and the Court will close in February 2026. A group of members (with support from the T&RA) are exploring options for a new North London court. But such endeavours are never easy.

our76 sponsors BLB Associates and Richard George Tailoring for their support. Post covid recovery of play has been strong with the pent up desire for Tennis filling our courts well. We have been able to complete most of our tournaments and honours boards will only miss one year as a record of the pandemic’s dreadful impact. One of our projects this year has been to explore a new Junior Development Plan. Working with support from the Dedanists, we ran a successful 6-week course last Autumn with 8 participants from which 3 young players are now keen enthusiasts. Our Easter “camp” had less interest and had to be cancelled so we are reviewing our approach and offering targeted junior packages to a slowly growing list of new youngsters; it takes a lot of energy and tenacity to build and maintain a junior programme! Care of our 1905 building is a constant concern and we commissioned a quinquennial report to enable planning and budgeting of maintenance works. Happily, there were no shocks in the report but there is plenty to do, as expected, with our cellar and non-court roofs being priority items. We are fortunate to have the support of members, most of whom give monthly to a building fund and of a benefactor who has funded major maintenance such as our recently restored clerestory windows and redecoration of the penthouse corridor. Taking on the Chair role has been exciting and rewarding, if a little more time consuming than I had expected! I am confident that with the experience of our Board and our excellent Pro’s Tom and Lloyd, MMTCC can continue to grow whilst maintaining its reputation of a warm welcome and excellent playing surface. Rory Bremner in action at the Gala Dinner

Burns did battle for the coveted trophy. Ben TaylorMatthews came out on top in one of the first professional tournaments after the various covid interruptions. The U24's & U21s British Open gave us a glimpse at the future as some of the best young players in the world took centre stage, the tournament was dominated by Will Flynn who took all the prizes with some excellent performances. Will won the doubles trophy with Max Trueman, who also played very well throughout.

Tennis Club ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

MURTCMURTC

Both of our national League sides had a fantastic season and made in to the finals. The team of Simon McLoughlin, Alex Hume and Jack Josephs lifted the trophy at Queen’s Club in Division 7 for a superb win. In Division 9 Mark Heffernan, Stuart Kerr, and Ben Geytenbeek (Hatfield) came up just short losing 1-2 away to Petworth but showed great fighting spirit throughout.

An exhibition match with a difference!

Annual Report 2021/22

Tennis Club

Lastly we say goodbye to Chris Bray who is moving on to the MCC. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to Will Burns taking the club forward on its next steps.

The worlds best descended on the club for The Real 10, pictured above with some of the University students .

ewmarket Real Tennis Club is in fine health and, although with a relatively low membership, we continue to offer plenty of internal and external matches which are well supported. We have just completed our 2022 Rose Bowl which was won by the home team of Charlie Pittaway & Sandy Norman, who beat the Turner Bros in the final. Our plans to restore the interior of the court are still ongoing as finding a suitable way to get a firm riser station into the court to enable us to work over the penthouse, is still ongoing. Due to our restricted access, it is impossible to get a cherry picker onto the court so we are negotiating to knock a hole in the side wall in line with the Post, which will enable us to drive straight on to the court area.

Chairman

ByReportsHugoJohnsen,

At Christmas we hosted a hugely enjoyable party that culminated in our professioanl Andrew Knibbs taking on the Prested Pro, Mark Hobbs in an exhibition match with a difference. For every game that was won, the winner had to put on another piece of Santa Clause clothing, the last being a fat cushion inside the jacket and above the belt Recently we entertained Brenner Wooley from Radio Suffolk who had never experienced the sport. He came and spent two hours watching and trying out the game, interviewed the chairman and professional and then gave a 20-minute slot on the radio. We have yet to do the same on local TV!

NewmarketNewmarket

By Simon Wetton, Chairman

t has been a challenging period for the Oratory, thankfully not for negative reasons, but because of the significant positive changes we have undertaken to transform the club over the last few years. Our challenges now revolve around satisfying the demand and available court time to satisfy both the requirements of the school and the members. Our transformation was the work of several years of change and the belief in the School head and governors to embrace our proposals for the way forward. Covid was oddly beneficial in that it provided a unique opportunity for the school to use the court almost full time as students needed alternatives to contact sports. It also saw a significant influx of new members joining and the combination now swelling the clubs booking sheet to bursting point. Many thanks to our Professional team of Rob and Levi Gale for their outstanding work in this area. As this first season has finished, the fruits of this demand has delivered notable success on court. The Oratory school Juniors have proved formidable under Claire

Annual Report 2021/22

78 OratoryOratory

Let’s also not forget our own World Champion, Rob Fahey also defends his overdue title fight at Prested Hall this year and is hard into his training as he has some family honour to uphold after Claire’s own successful defence of the Ladies World Championships in Fontainebleau. All in all, The Oratory has reinvigorated itself, protected its future, attracted lots of new players, and inspired a new range of juniors to start playing. The Oratory has reinvigorated itself, protected its future, attracted lots of new players, and inspired a new range of juniors to start playing.

At a club level the traditional success in the Thames Valley League has been continued with a second place result this year, and good results in both National League Div1, for Claire and Levi Gale through to the finals but losing to a very strong Manchester duo and Div 9 as semifinalists as well as an MVP award for Martin McNair who also saw individual success in the National Category 40’s championships. The Club was also able to post entries across a range of the Category championships and played a full list of Club fixtures both home and away.

Honours were shared with the men winning 6-0, and our women’s team losing 2-4 after some outstanding matches. One of the joys of playing at Merton is meeting, playing and often being beaten by the student players, and indeed Club Reports

Tennis

Oxford W

As we move forward the club plans four Padel courts in the near future which we hope will attract significant interest and the potential for a raft of new players that we can also entice to have a go at Real Tennis.

e have been delighted to see so many members and students on court. Tennis is back and firing on all four cylinders. As well as the Brodie Cup, the

Oxford By Neil Mortensen, President Thames Valley League and the National League, we have at last held a proper Varsity match after the fixture last year without spectators or a dinner due to covid. This year’s splendid celebration at Lords included as guests a number of the 150th anniversary players , joining the teams for the 151st mens varsity match and the 30th womens match.

Fahey’s inspirational guidance and coaching, with team victories against the recent dominance of Wellington, Radley, something not enjoyed for many years. The expectation is that this will continue into the upcoming season and various players going on to complete in the national championships and hopefully pick up some individual silverware too.

The court usage has fairly much returned to normal throughout the year and many enjoyable friendly matches were played both home and away. We remain keen to encourage these matches which give the chance for members of different standards to visit other clubs and meet and entertain their members.

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PetworthPetworth

Apart from the professionals playing well in Division 1 of the National League, the club fielded three other National League teams (Division 5, 7 and 9) with our Division 9 heroes (captained by Adrian Warburton with variously Stuart Allison, Fergus Jenkins, George Andrews and Simon Armstrong) beating the combined team of Hatfield and MURTC in a closely contested final. In the various club tournaments, Luke Danby and Adam Dolman resumed the next instalment of their long running club tournament finals with Luke triumphing in three close sets, reversing the result when they played in the Pol Roger match. In the other grades, the B section was won by Hereward Taylor, the C section by Phillip Nash, the D section by Hamish Porter and the E section by Thomas Prince. The club doubles (named the Ellis Rich Trophy) won by Adam Dolman and Nick Harris and the Robinson Trophy by Jon Petersen and Tim Armstrong. In the club handicap singles tournaments, the Penthouse Cup saw Gus James beat Tom Compton and the Smith Bingham Trophy was won by Dik van Lomwel beat Henry Russell. We held two handicap doubles weekends during the season, with the Hennell Plate (where you enter with a chosen partner) being won by James Delliere and Tom Miller and the Secretary’s Cup (random partners) being won by Gus James and Ali Williams.

The junior section of the club continues to flourish, with Max Trueman beating Bertie Vallat in the final of the under 24 Page Cup and Arthur Munn beating Gus James in the under 21 George Cooke Trophy. Gus playing with his father Tim won the Two Generations Tournament . The Godfray Racket saw three local prep-schools (Cottesmore, Westbourne House and Amesbury) play a very close contest , with each school winning the same number of matches and Cottesmore winning on count back , by one game, against previous winners Westbourne.

On the more social level, the Sunday Pennant saw ten teams play, eat and drink their way merrily through the season with the victors FSB (Simon Fisk, Richard Stables and James Carnegie-Brown) winning all their matches. The Eddie Harrison Trophy for the season's most improved player went to Richard Stables and the Ritblat Trophy (for the club member who has made an outstanding contribution to the club in the year) went to Carole Muir in recognition of her many years devoted service on the Board. Carole has now stepped down from the Board and has been replaced by Tim James. It was also splendid to see our evergreen member Nigel Draffan win the National over 70s doubles title and participate in the British team's triumph in the Danby Cup (over 70), as did Geoffrey Russell in the over 60s Bostwick Cup.

fter two mainly fallow years, Petworth House Tennis Court was delighted, and also relieved, to be back to business as usual for the 2021/22 season. Happily, we were able to support our two professionals (Tom Durack and Louis Gordon) during the pandemic so that they did not suffer financially, with members contributing a fighting fund of over £28,000 to assist with this. As a thank you to members Tom and Louis opened the season with an exhibition match ("the Battle of the Pros") and clinic to remind us all how to play followed by a splendid curry fest from David Fortune.

The season finished in true Petworth manner with champagne and canapes with our annual summer party in the beautiful gardens of Champs Hill. The court remains in good order (apart from the occasional leak) and our thanks go to club secretary Jon Petersen and the professionals for installing our excellent new streaming system so that we can not only watch our triumphs and disasters on YouTube but also watch matches from the comfort of the club room for those unable to tear themselves away from the lunch table. We have been keen to support the IIP programme and are delighted, through the good offices of the T&RA, to welcome Tim Armstrong (son of Simon) who joined us as an apprentice on 1 August.

On the competitive front, our Pol Roger team overcame Seacourt 3-2 at home in an exciting contest, but then succumbed to RTC in the semi-final. Encouragingly we have a young team, with Freddie Bristowe playing and the oldest team member being Nick Harris at age 41; this bodes well for the future.

All in all, therefore, a good Headmaster's report for the season! By Robert Dolman, Chairman

Annual Report 2021/22

PrestedBy

TennisClubMike Carter 81 Tennis Club ReportsWilson

And then, to actually and finally end the season, we hosted the East Anglian Cup, which we won!

As we crawled slowly out of lockdown in the summer of 2021, bruised, battered, confused and depressed, it was inevitable some major changes would be needed. Which events should we cancel? - (e.g., the Pro Invitation that should have started the year before); or postpone?(e.g., the World Championship Challenge, again, from 2020); or confirm with some trepidation? (e.g., the LRTA long weekend) It all took a lot of hand-wringing, fairly certain the plague had not entirely gone away. It was also time to sort out the professionals’ structure which had proved to be not quite right, with hindsight.

PrestedPrested

So, Mark Hobbs was put in overall change, while Lewis Williams, having flirted with padel, went back to his first love and has finished up in Leamington where we wish him well. And Ged Parsons, having cycled and commuted to NE Essex from southeast London, and helped out through good times and dark, finally accepted the journey was unrealistic. Thanks, Ged, for your many years with us! So……Through the re-formulated 21/22 season we've hosted a number of TRA events: the Over 50 Doubles (winners Watson & Wright); the F-grade Singles (twice!!); the Over 40 Doubles (Wright & Packham); and the Prested Cup (the level Championship for amateurs under 20) won by Max Trueman. We also hosted the magnificent Seacourt group of a dozen or more, who have now been coming for over 20 years, twice a year. This milestone too had been postponed, and Celie and I were delighted to join Mike Cole and his group for a delayed anniversary dinner. The LRTA came in force, albeit with a bit less gusto than pre-Covid, as people were still being very cautious and every event, probably everywhere, suffered. By Mid-winter confidence was returning and more people were playing, but still not in the hoped-for and expected numbers. Hobbsy introduced the “Prested Hall of Fame” handicap doubles which we intend making into one of the must-do events of future seasons, won this year by Messrs

Annual Report 2021/22

& Dixon. He also set up a much-enjoyed juniors’ daylong tournament won by Josh Pike. The season’s finale was to have been our club finals combined with the inaugural Pro’s Invitation (twice postponed). Sadly, two of Prested’s top players were forced to withdraw at the last minute, and the level singles was won by Matt Potter, who partnered Colin Sprott to the doubles. Meanwhile the Pros Invitation had its own problems, when Nick Howell’s hamstring forced him to retire from a thriller with Rob Fahey at 10-10. The end result left Rob beating Hobbsy in the final, while Chris Chapman had to rue the complicated missing-player rulings! (All this was off half handicap.)

Radley club juniors continue to do well. Henry Henman and his father, Mike, and Louis Manson and father, Chris, won, respectively, the Level event (again) and the Handicap competition in the National Fathers and Sons tournament.

By Maggie Henderson-Tew, Club Captain The past year has been one of significant change and development at Radley, in personnel and appearance, although the success of the club has continued. We started the year with a professional team of two and have ended it with three, having hired Josh King and Victor Till to work with Nino Merola, which facilitated the secondment of our Head Professional, Chris Ronaldson, and Maggie Henderson-Tew, Club Captain, to the Bristol Real Tennis Club from October to March. Grateful thanks to Radley College for its unstinting and generous support of Real Tennis at the College and beyond. Josh is shortly to become IiP Level 1 qualified. We are very pleased that he has built so well on the start he has made as a coach, club professional and player. The off-court areas at Radley have had a complete facelift, courtesy of the generous support of many of our members and Radley College. The project was devised, and the funds were raised, by Maggie H-T, with the work being carried out (with thanks to the professionals, members and visitors for their tolerance) without having to close the club. We have combined the old and contemporary in a way that we feel echoes the T&RA’s strapline of ‘A Future Built On History’, and the stylish and bold appearance is more appropriate to one of the most successful clubs in the world. We now have the Real Tennis fanatic’s favourite quotation from Shakespeare: ‘Tennis balls, my liege…’ (Henry V, Act 1, sc ii) on the walls. These famous lines a just one of the innovative wall coverings, as we have installed four of Michael Do’s stunning images of Rob Fahey and Camden Riviere in action during the 2016 World Championship Challenge at Newport RI. These forehand and backhand shots from both players have made a striking addition to the link corridor between the court, clubrooms and the College’s Sports Centre, and they look particularly impressive when illuminated at night. We will now be able to stream live events or to watch recorded footage in the Gallery Café or the Clubroom, and the Stretching Area should help players reduce their strains and pains. The reaction to the changes has been very positive and we look forward, as always, to welcoming visitors and showing them around.

Radley College Tennis Club is in good heart and facing the future with optimism, in the fervent hope that Covid shutdowns are now a matter of history.

The innovative wall coverings, that been have installed at Radley, four of Michael Do’s stunning images adorn the corridor.

Clemmie Batstone and India Deakin continue to progress in their respective specialities of Real Tennis and Rackets, with Clemmie reaching the Final of the National Schoolgirls’ U15 Tournament. India, the Rackets 2021 British Open and World Championship Doubles title holder, played a 2022 Eliminator against Cesca Sweet for the right to challenge the holder, Radley member Lea Van Der Zwalmen, who retained her World Rackets title by defeating Cesca 15/2 15/0 15/9. Lea did not play in the LRTA British Ladies’ Open, sponsored by Peter Luck-Hille but concentrated her efforts on the Ladies’ World Championship Singles. She was rewarded by a run through to the Final, which was never going to be easy, and so it proved. Lea did her best but lost to Claire Fahey 0/6 2/6, despite strong support from the crowd in Fontainebleau.

82 Tennis Club Reports

Annual Report 2021/22

A report on an excellent year for the Radley College boys’ year has been submitted separately by Mick Dean. The

RadleyRadley

This has been a successful, if not stellar year, in terms of club and individual Tennis achievements in the revived fixtures programme. Our professionals, Nino and Josh, both finished their National League campaigns as the top player in their respective league and Nino obtained a single figure handicap for the first time. The Radley Brodie Cup side was forced to concede a rubber in its semi-final and our Field Trophy team had to do the same in its final, with both concessions proving decisive in tight matches.

The Royal Tennis CourtThe Royal Tennis Court

83 Tennis Club Reports

By Mick Dean, AnnualChairmanReport2021/22

National Doubles was won by Magnus Garson and Ed Alder in a real nail-biter at Queen’s Club over Wellington, retrieving a 6/7 deficit to win the 2 final games. Our second pair was unfortunately torpedoed when George Acheson-Gray sustained a nasty hockey injury, leaving captain Jonty Duncan marooned. Toby Marriott & Tom Bailey won the B Grade event from Canford. In the U16 Doubles, victory was gained by Hugo AchesonGray with Ambrose Garson, beating our 2nd pair (Rory Acheson-Gray and Woody Walker) in a tight final. Rory & Radley CollegeRadley College

Ahighly active season has again been orchestrated and supported by Nino Merola and Josh King, with Chris Ronaldson on sabbatical at Bristol for much of the College season. After the travails of Covid and the relatively mixed results of 2019/20, success once again was earned in the Schools

WoodySheperdigian.hadsurvived a match point to beat Canford in the Georgesemi-final.Cadbury-Gosling and Hugo Stone finished a creditable 4th in the U14 event with little experience. The National Schools Singles was also won – Magnus Garson defeating Bertie Vallat (Winchester) for the A Grade title, while Hugo Acheson-Gray also completed his U16 double by winning the B Grade title from Canford. Elsewhere, regular matches have been played against Wellington, Canford and Oratory (good to see them back competing) and also with the Dedanists, Jesters, Queen’s Club and Hardwick.

Since then, however, we have seen sustained recovery to a full playing and social programme with court usage back to 95%+ levels through the winter and spring. We are also delighted to welcome back Palace visitors to the viewing gallery, restoring RTC’s place as the only court in the world with regular public access. In spite of the disruption, we closed our financial year in a sound position, thanks to members’ continued subscription support and prudent financial management. However, we have seen a net loss of over 40 full members over the two pandemic years and, in response, the Board has agreed a new strategy to re-build numbers. In our professional team, Josh Smith left us after eight years to be Head Professional at Holyport. After some months of searching, we were delighted to appoint Jack Josephs as our Trainee Professional. Jack was on the IiP Apprenticeship scheme at Middlesex University and made a strong impression there; we’re delighted to have him as part of the RTC team. Another change made during the winter was to reorganise the daily court rota to change on the half hour. This simple

By Doug Sheperdigian, Chairman

The Club’s internal tournaments are in full swing again and we had four RTC teams in various National League divisions. The junior programme is in fine health with strong competition results and growing numbers playing. We have also been delighted to secure again the sponsorship of Mitsubishi Electric for the Champions’ Trophy, which will once again bring world-class Tennis to RTC in July 2022.

Michael Day CVO stood down after five years as Chair of the Board at the May 2022 AGM and was succeeded by Doug

Much credit is due to Jonty Duncan, captain this season in significant improvement in his own game, but also giving much time to help coach the juniors and to organise competitions. Also to Mike Henman for his time on court, and to Andy Bishop for his energetic supporting admin role.

Thecompetitions.SeniorSchools

fter Covid, this was a year of stabilisation, recovery and renewed optimism at RTC although it was not until July that normal social play could resume and September when the standard hourly rotation restarted.

shift has added another hour of available court time in extending our potential playing day from 0630 to 2330.

Since the Autumn, normal competition has resumed at all levels. We hosted the RTC Development Tournament in September – an event designed to provide junior professionals throughout the country with an opportunity both for competition, as well as training and feedback. Nick Wood and Scott Blaber paired up for the first time at the British Open Doubles Championship where they had two excellent wins before succumbing to Fahey and Howell in the quarter-finals. In the Pol Roger Cup, RTC beat Petworth in the semi-finals before losing to Queen’s in the final. Peter Wright and partner Jamie Douglas were runners up in the 2022 British Amateur Doubles Championship.

84 Tennis Club Reports SeacourtSeacourt

Max Trueman has had a phenomenal season, closely shadowed by team mate James Medlow. Together they won the National league Division 5 title, defeating Freddie Dixon and Charles Defries of The Queen’s Club. With James also securing the MVP for the division, winning the coveted MVP Racquet.

, the Handicap Singles was won by Olivia Boulton, who defeated Simon “No Show” Armstrong in the final. Olivia will represent Seacourt in the Chetwood at the Hyde next season.

Max also won the Under 18 British Open singles at Queen’s, the Prested Cup for UK Under 20s and also the Under 24 British Open Doubles (Stephen Tayleur Trophy), with William Flynn at Middlesex.

t has been great to be back to a full season of competition, with plenty of Silverware secured. The Seacourt junior section continues to be successful both at grass roots level, but also with the more seasoned juniors / young adults. The Seacourt Peter Luck Hille Cup team, which included Evie Tambling, Alex Bolton, James Walker and Tom Wallace, secured back-to-back titles, defeating the Oratory at Wellington in June.

In February we were excited to be able to hold the Seacourt Silver Racquet, once again our thanks to our sponsor Peter Luck-Hille. A superb display of Tennis across four days, with the return of some familiar faces and some new ones, both Amateur and Professional, including the Men’s and Ladies World Champions. The title was secured by Zak Eadle, defeating Louis Gordon in the final. We are working plans for the 50th Anniversary of the Seacourt Silver Racquet, which is scheduled for February 2023. A montage of highlights at Seacourt over the past 12 months.

Annual Report 2021/22

By Simon Flynn, Communications In addition to the Under 24 Doubles, William won the Under 24 British Open Singles (Eric Angus Cup), the Under 21 Open Singles (George Wimpey) and also qualified for the main draw of Senior British Open Singles in his debut Backcompetition.atSeacourt

It has been wonderful to have the Court back to normal as usual post 2020 this season. We welcomed Alex Machin as our new IIP apprentice in late August. Alex has been a brilliant apprentice and has thrown himself into the club, coaching the students at the College whilst rapidly improving his handicap. We believe he will make an excellent professional. The highlights of our season were winning the Brodie Cup for the first time. Captained by Tom Monk, who unfortunately could not make the final at The Hyde due to the imminent birth of his first child. Thanks must go to all the team for the campaign and to the excellent support from some of the members making it all the way down to Bridport to support on a Sunday. Also at Bridport John Amor won the Chetwood Trophy and in Fontainebleau Algie Nottingham won the French U15 Open. The College had a successful season too with three of the students being part of the Brodie Cup winning team. A particular mention must go to this year’s captain Cesca Sweet who has held the Schoolgirls National Singles and Doubles titles since 2019 when they were inaugurated. We also wish her twin brother Willem the best of luck in the upcoming Junior World Championship at Seacourt in ManyAugust.thanks

Annual Report 2021/22

Top:Photos:-IiPPro Am at Wellington Middle: John Amor winning the Chetwood Trophy Bottom: Wellington Brodie Cup winners

WellingtonWellington

85 Tennis Club Reports

By Simon Roundell, Chairman

must go to our professional team of Danny, Adam and Alex for continuing to make WRTC a happy and successful club, as well as the Dedanist Foundation and Society for continuing to support out Junior programmes.

86 Elite World Singles Rankings 2022 Effective Date 13 March 2022 Ladies’ Rackets World Rankings 2022 World Rackets Rankings 2022 Rank Player Points 1 Ben Cawston 642.13 2 Tom Billings 474.00 3 Alex Duncliffe-Vines 214.00 4 Alex Titchener-Barrett 193.94 5 James Coyne 96.38 6 Will Hopton 94.06 7 Ben Bomford 87.38 8 Richard Owen 59.88 9 Christian Portz 59.63 10 Freddie Bristowe 36.38 Rank Name Points 1 Lea van der Zwalmen 280.0 2 Cesca Sweet 253.0 3 Tara Lumley 176.0 4 Georgie Willis 174.0 5 India Deakin 152.0 6 Lauren Gooding 54.0 7 Alice Vyvyan-Robinson 52.5 8 Issie Thorneycroft 48.0 9 Sophia Mordaunt 45.0 10 Katie Baker 27.0 Effective Date 1 May 2022PLAY! Rackets Rankings

In the men’s game, the ever-popular season opener the ‘Noel Bruce’ – showed how keen players were to get back on court, with Haileybury (Tom Billings and Mark Farmiloe) beating the previous year’s champions, Winchester (Christian Portz and Mike Bailey) to win a very competitive tournament.

87 Rackets UK Rory Sutton, Chairman of the Rackets Committee

The T&RA and Rackets Committee have been busy not only in running the tournaments but looking to preserve and develop this great game. We have been sponsoring U21 and U24 players evenings at Queens and Manchester, which have been hugely popular. We have continued our Scholarship Programme (formerly Fellowships), which has been greatly appreciated by the North American clubs. This year we also introduced a doubles ranking system which has helped to bring some science to the seedings of tournaments – much to the delight of the players. We also reinstated the Over 40s tournament to give a chance for old rivals to battle it out for bragging rights once again.

Our British World Champion Tom Billings showed his class again winning the Amateur Singles and the Brown Advisory British Open Singles (a draw that was at full capacity).

In memory of Andrina Webb, who sadly passed away during the season, we renamed the Mixed Doubles in her honour. Andrina was a huge supporter of the game and she would have been delighted in the spirit in which the tournament was played, eventually won by Georgie Willis and Rory Giddins.

The top ranked players in the UK have been bringing the next generation of top players (both ladies and men) together in a series of development squads which have been a huge success.

I’d like to close with a few ‘thank you’s. Firstly, to the Racket’s Committee for your hard work throughout the season. Secondly, to all those involved in the Harrow court refurbishment, particularly Charles Hue Williams and John Prenn, and those working hard on supporting the Eton sports centre redevelopment. Thirdly, on behalf of the membership to the T&RA staff who have worked tirelessly – including ramping up our social media and press presence providing news and updates to our members. Fourthly, to the referees, markers, professionals, tournament organisers and the clubs for their efforts. Lastly, to our sponsors Brown Advisory, who have continued to shown unwavering support for the game.

Annual Report 2021/22

In the U18s, the RPA have managed to deal with record entries in the Brown Advisory Nationals Schools. Cesca Sweet (Wellington) winning the Senior Girls tournament, and with Lilly May Redshaw (Wellington) winning the senior Girls Doubles. Magnus Garson (Radley) won the Foster Cup, with Olly Hatfield and George Livesey (St Paul’s) winning the Doubles. Our thanks go to all the professionals for their hard work throughout the season.

The ladies’ game has continued to go from strength to strength. Queen’s Club has been sponsoring a ladies’ club morning on a Sunday morning and several tournaments were held throughout the season. Tara Lumley and India Deakin won the Brown Advisory British Open Doubles. Due to the high entry, we had to run our first qualifying event for the Brown Advisory Singles, with Georgie Willis eventually beating Cesca Sweet in a thrilling final. In the Ladies World Championships, the top four ladies battled it out in an eliminator series, with Cesca Sweet beating Tara Lumley in a tight contest for the right to challenge the reigning champion Lea Van Der Zwalmen. In the Championship match, Lea had too much experience and retained her title with a 3-0 win. Well done Lea.

The top ranked players in the UK have been bringing the next generation of top players (both ladies and men) together in a series of development squads which have been a huge success. Thanks to Mike Bailey for taking this forward and to Tim Cockcroft and John Prenn for their sponsorship.

Thank Lookingyou.forward to next season… Play!

e have had a fantastic Rackets season; the game is in a great place. We enjoyed a full fixtures schedule with many record entries: a sign of high participation and a thriving sport. This report highlights some of the on-court activity and initiatives that the T&RA have been supporting.

In the doubles game, Tom Billings and Richard Owen had a World Championship Challenge, against the holders, James Stout and Jonathan Larken. This was a repeat of the 2018 challenge, but the result was very different this time. Tom and Richard played exceptionally well in the first leg at Queen’s Club to take a 4-0 lead over to New York, where in the second leg they won the second game, which they needed to take the title. Tom and Richard also picked up the Amateur Doubles and the Brown Advisory British Open Doubles titles. Ben Cawston’s development has continued, and after winning the US Open, Manchester Gold Racquet, Western Open, the Invitational Singles, and the Professionals’ Singles, he has earned the right to challenge Tom for the singles World Championship in November 2022, with a two-legged match scheduled across Chicago and London. Good luck to both players. The ever-popular Manchester Gold Racket, Clifton Cup and Cheltenham Gold Racket were well attended and our thanks go to the organisers and professionals for making those a success.

Formerly known as the ‘Old’ court, the newly named court is a tribute to Old Harrovians, John Prenn (The Head Master's 1966³) and Charles Hue Williams (Bradbys 1956²) who were not only formidable players and champions but have been faithful supporters of the game for many years and, alongside the School and Harrow Development Trust, have spearheaded a campaign to fund the building of the new court, completed just before the pandemic in Spring 2020. Ahead of the official opening, exhibition matches were played between two OH champions, Harry Foster and Alex Titchener-Barrett and a pairing of Harrow boys. This was followed by speeches by the Head Master Alastair Land, Harrow’s long-serving Rackets Professional John Eaton, Charles and John. A celebration drinks reception was enjoyed by all.

Top Right: L to R: Headmaster, Alastair Land, John Prenn, Charles Hue Williams, Doug Collins & John Middle:Eaton. drinksBottom:Play!Celebrationreception.

Top: The new plaque.

The official opening of The Prenn Hue Williams Court at Harrow School

On Wednesday 27 April 2022, Harrow School held a long-awaited celebration for the official opening of The Prenn Hue Williams Court (postponed since 2020 by the pandemic), welcoming back a number of Old Harrovians, friends, professionals from other schools and contractors to the new look and very smart Rackets court.

Above: John Prenn & Charles Hue Williams.

Annual Report 2021/22

Left: Presentations on the new court.

88 Rackets

89 Rackets PLAY! Annual Report 2021/22

Noel Bruce 2021

Haileybury beat Winchester 4-2 in the Noel Bruce Final.

Annual Report 2021/22

The final saw Winchester, defending (2019) winners, against Haileybury, 2017 winners. An exciting game played in front of the Queen’s Club David Norman Gallery. Winchester started well and edged a hard hitting first game, before Haileybury levelled taking the closely fought second, 17-15. The third game also reached 14-all, but this time Winchester had the answers to take a 2-1 lead. But now the game changed as Haileybury found their length on service, combined with raw power, taking the next game to level the match and then again to extend a 3-2 lead. Winchester couldn’t respond to the ever-increasing ferocity of the Haileybury service, and the match was over, 4-2 to the third seeds. Thanks to marker, Ben Bomford, and referee, Paddy Sutton, who officiated the first final since lockdown, played in great spirit by both pairs. T&RA Rackets Committee Chairman, Rory Sutton, thanked the players and the gallery and Howard Angus, with a foot in both camps, presented the cup to the victorious Haileybury.

The Noel Bruce attracted 54 pairs this year, the second highest ever entry, and ran over three weeks. Perhaps the lack of Rackets over the previous 18 months contributed, but huge thanks to Ed Hyde for his inspiration and organisation. In addition, Howard Angus marked the early stages virtually single handed, putting around 2,000 miles on his mileage in the process as he travelled to Queen’s from the far reaches of Bucks. Some good early performances with the qualifying played in great spirit. Also good to see so many young players still representing their schools and hope to see them all in future competition this season.

The main draw started in earnest in early September with some good contests in the first round which saw Winchester II take a game off Haileybury; and Malvern II working hard to overcome an inspired Eton II. The two top seeds, Winchester and Cheltenham, breezed through their quarter-finals. Haileybury started slowly against Westgate but eventually won 3-1, and Eton overcame Malvern by the same score in a close match. The first semi-final saw a good battle between Winchester (Mike Bailey and Christian Portz) and Eton (Guy SmithBingham and Rory Giddins), with some determined play by the Eton pair, before Winchester won through 4-1. GSB played inspirational Rackets at times with his younger partner showing great maturity to make a great match.

The second semi-final saw a close encounter between Cheltenham (Richard Owen and Nick James) and Haileybury (Mark Farmiloe and Tom Billings), with each game closely fought and the match swinging one way then the other. An early lead by Cheltenham was overturned before the match was level at 2 games all, including an epic 18-17 fourth to Cheltenham, but it was then that Haileybury dug deep and powered through the last two games to take the match 4-2.

90 Rackets 2021/22 RACKETS MATCH REPORTS ‘21September

‘21November

Noel MasterBrettinCharge/Head Coach of Rackets

There was another great turn out for the Ladies Doubles Rackets Tournament at Malvern College at the weekend. The standard of play is ever increasing and this was shown in a fantastic final. In the semi-finals, Tara Lumley and India Deakin played incredibly well to beat Alice VyvyanRobinson and Tilly Wood, a young pair from Cheltenham College and in the other semi final, Georgie Willis and Cesca Sweet overcame the solid pairing of Abbie Whybrow and Fionnuala Dowling Membrado from TheCheltenham.

final looked like a close affair, and this proved to be the case, with each game going into double figures. After winning two close games Lumley and Deakin let down their guard and lost the third game 13/15. This could have been costly as Willis and Sweet were visibly gaining in confidence, but the experience of Lumley and Deakin was vital, and they managed to edge the fourth game 15/11 to claim the trophy and title of British Open Doubles Champions. In the plate competition the Queen’s pairing of Isabel Hunt and Isabel Candy were too strong for the Cheltenham pairing of Emilia Lewis and Bea Cornwell winning 15/4 15/6. They just had too much weight of shot for the schoolgirls and win a trophy in their first ever competitive outing! This was another well supported event and it great to see the ladies’ game thriving at both senior and junior levels.

Tom Billings hadn’t dropped a game en route to taking on close rival Alex Duncliffe-Vines for the Amateur Singles Championship. Throughout the exciting match, Tom gradually wore his opponent down, winning 15/7 15/8 15/3. Tom had won the trophy on two previous occasions and added this prestigious title to a highly successful year.

Annual Report 2021/22

Tara Lumley and India Deakin beat Georgia Willis and Cesca Sweet 3-1 in the final.

Amateur Singles Championships

2021

Rackets

Brown Advisory Ladies British Open Doubles 2021

The Champions, Jonathan Larken and James Stout, started strongly with Stout picking up the first two points. Tom Billings served a fault but partner Richard Owen gave the Challengers a slight 3-2 lead. But the Champions were back in the lead through Larken's precision service, 5-3, before the Billings serve levelled the game at 5-5. The champions then capitalised on their next time in the box, stretching out a 9-5 lead. With the momentum now with the Champions, the Billing and Owen partnership could only muster a point to trail 6-9. A superb return negated the Stout serve and then it was Larken in impervious form serving through, with six unmatched pointed to take the first game 15/6. Game on!

One game all and the new World Champions are Tom Billings and Richard Owen

New York Racquets Club

Second Leg

over the two legs ‘21November Annual Report 2021/22

Rackets

The second game started cagily with the Challengers quickly gaining the box but only managing a solitary point in their first pair of hands, to lead 1-0. Larken responded in his next hand, with Stout making some remarkable shots, to take a 5-1 lead. Billings and Owen responded, with superb positioning by Owen and supreme recovery shots by Billings, closing the gap to 4-5. As the game started to open up, some free flowing Rackets saw Larken and Stout extend their lead to 7-4. But now Billings and Owen found their length and started to turn the tables, taking a 10-7 in the next pair of hands. These points could all count in the longer term as once again the Champions closed the deficit to 9-10. With five points needed, a single point on the Billings serve gave the Champions hope. But then Owen served and edged ever closer to winning the necessary game - point by pointand then it was championship point. Superb length from Owen and Stout was unable to return - 15/9 - and new World Champions. Owen win 5-1

15/9 15/6 15/10 17/15 6/15 15/9 Second leg 6/15 15/9; Billings and

National Schools' Championships 2021 sponsored by Brown Advisory Jim Dear Cup 2021 Flynn Jennings (Haileybury) beat Flynn Gunston (Malvern) Incledon-Webber Cup 2021 Bertie Vallat (Winchester) beat Jake HaraziWebb (Tonbridge)

‘21December

Robin Geffen Cup (Senior Girls) 2021

Foster Cup 2021 Magnus Garson (Radley) beat Finn Kirkland (Tonbridge)

Ben Cawston wins the 2021 Invitation Singles Richard Owen starter the stronger, taking a comfortable first game 15/5 and was ahead in the second, similar to his victory over Ben Cawston in the group stages. Hower, Cawston rallied and levelled the match, taking the second 15/9. He then won the next two games to take the prestigious Invitation Singles Cup. Final score 5/15 15/9 15/2 15/2. Howard Angus presented the prizes.

Cheltenham (Katie Baker and Mary Lesley) beat Wellington (Liv Holroyd and Lila Hue Williams)

Rackets Invitation Singles UK 2021

Alex Brodie Cup (Junior Girls) 2021

Wellington (Cesca Sweet & Lilly May Redshaw) beat Cheltenham (Alice Vyvyan-Robinson & Tilly Wood)

Annual Report 2021/22

Photo L to R: Richard Owen, Howard Angus & Ben Cawston

Renny Cup 2021 Archie Sillars (Winchester) bt Peter ComptonBurnett (Eton)

The final between Georgie and Cesca was superb. The match was full of excellent serving, fine taking of the serves, many rallies of outstanding quality, with the initiative switching back and forth in all the four games. Cesca led 10-4 and 11-8 in the first game but lost it. Then Georgie led 7-2 and 13-10 in the second but lost it. In the third Cesca led 5-0 and 12-8 but lost it. Even in the fourth, Cesca was down 1-10 and 5-11, but in getting back to 9-11 she looked as if she might well take the match to a decider. Georgie held her nerve to get the service back and closed out the match for her first, but well deserved, Open Singles win. Final result: Georgie won 15/12 13/18 15/12 15/9. Cesca is still in her last year at Wellington and has learnt wonderful Rackets strokes from Wellington Professional, Ryan Tulley.

The last time the Ladies Open Championship was played, in 2020, Tara Lumley just beat India Deakin in a splendid final by 3 games to 2. In the semi-finals in the 2022 event, Tara was beaten 15/9, 15/14 by Georgie Willis and India was beaten 15/14, 15/5 by Cesca Sweet. Tara had two game balls in the second game but Georgie twice won back the serve to then take the game 15/14 and secure her place in the final. India led Cesca 14-10 in the first game before Cesca had an incredible fight back to win this crucial opening game. Cesca then had two runs of 5 to lead 10-4, and although India recovered the serve three more times, she could only reach 5-11 before Cesca had another run to take the match.

The winning moment. Georgia beats Cesca in the Ladies Final.

PLAY! ‘22January Annual Report 2021/22

Exciting court action in the Ladies Final, Cesca & Georgie

95 Rackets The Brown Advisory Ladies British Open Singles Championships 2022

The group stages highlighted the growing depth of the ladies’ game. Isabel Candy won Group A, Honor Cockroft won Group B, and in the all-Cheltenham Group C Alice Vyvyan-Robinson came through. Mark Briers, the Cheltenham Rackets professional, should be congratulated on the quality and enthusiasm of the schoolgirls in his charge. All the co-educational schools with Rackets courts might try to emulate the programme now available to the Cheltenham girls’ squad.

over. Tom breezed through the last two games 15/2 15/2, with Ben increasingly hampered in his movement by cramp in his leg, and having to resort to extravagant all-or-nothing attempts at outrageous winners, whenever the ball happened to come his way. This 4 games to 1 win by Tom was a commanding overall display by the World Champion. The fact that Ben, in the entire match, was only able to score 3 consequative points on just one occasion is testament to Tom’s outstanding reliability on taking serve. His potential improvement over the next seasons should be to become even more efficient at putting away the chances that his magnificent return powers provide.

We are so lucky in British Rackets to have such a fine World Champion and such a splendid role-model for any aspiring Rackets player!

Tom began the match with his customary consistency and concentration, covering the court with amazing speed and keeping his opponent under constant pressure. Ben, on the other hand, seemed to be finding it hard to get into his stride and squandered opportunities with unforced errors. Though he got in hand 5 times in the first game, Ben only scored one point. This was just the start Tom must have been looking for. After being bedbound recently with covid, he did not quite know how his legendary stamina might be affected, so a comfortable first game would have been a considerable confidence booster. The second game produced by far the closest and best Rackets of the match. Apart from a run of 5 points by Tom from 2-5 to 7-5, including 3 points on serve, both players were in and out of hand without scoring on numerous occasions, occasionally adding a single point to their tally, until a crucial run from 9-8 to 12-8 gave Ben the initiative. The retrieving by both players was astonishing and many of the rallies oscillated back and forth splendidly, to the delight of the packed gallery. Ben took the game 15/10, and the stage seemed set for a drawn-out classic. After 10 hands for Ben and 9 hands for Tom in the third game, the score stood at a tantalising 10-7 to Tom. A really tense, close game! Then, quite suddenly, Tom had a run of 5 to take the third game and lead by 2 games to 1, and the match proved, it transpired, to be effectively

The keenly anticipated final between the top two seeds, Tom Billings and Ben Cawston, produced two individual games of the highest quality, the second and third games, sandwiched between the first game and the last two games which were totally dominated by World Champion and winner for the previous four British Opens, Tom Billings. Tom won 15/1 10/15 15/7 15/2 15/2. In extending his run of wins to five in a row, Tom has set a new record for consecutive victories, though Willie Boone and John Prenn, each with six wins in their careers, and James Male with a total of seven wins, have set career totals for Tom to try to equal or surpass in years to come.

The Brown Advisory British Open Singles Championships 2022 ‘22February RacketsAnnual Report 2021/22

Left to right: Ben Cawston, William Pollard-Clark (Brown Advisory) & Tom Billings

The quarter finals pairs were a standard to grace any competition Sam Cook & Tom Billings vs Felix Clarke & Jules Manton-Jones, Chris Stout & Reggie Williams, Jack Dymoke & Tom Shields, Max Dymoke & Dhiren De Silva, Tom Barton & Rob Horn, Oscar Butcher & Will Annetts & Richard Owen & Tom Wigglesworth. Two semi-finals concluded Saturday’s play and onto the the annual blacktie dinner. Forty-seven in attendance, speeches form Old Cheltonian Tom Floyd, Mark Briers and on behalf of the non-OCs Tom Wigglesworth.

The ladies started the weekend off on Friday afternoon with four groups of three pairs playing against each other. Two semi-finals, Flo Fletcher & Alice (current girls captain) defeating Georgie Gunn & Tara Lumley. Rose Jones and Georgie Willis defeating India Deakin & Honor Cockcroft. Both semi-finals typified how far the ladies' game and standard has improved in such a relatively short time. Rose & Georgie defeated Flo & Alice 2-0 in the final.

A fantastic evening catching up over food and drinks concluded a very successful inaugural ladies doubles and we hope to build upon this for next year.

Annual Report 2021/22

The men’s final concluded the weekend with Sam Cook & Tom Billings defeating Felix Clarke & Jules Manton Jones to take the Gold Racquet , the Cook trophy, champagne and winners frames. Another busy Gold Racquet of immense fun played in good spirit. As Tom Billings pointed out in his winners speech, the ladies have added another dimension to the weekend. We look forward to next year and the 21st Gold Racquet. Cheltonian Gold Racquet

‘22March

20th Old

Rackets

Cheltenham Gold Racquet is back after a twoyear absence - 11th to 13th March 2022

Champagne and frames were presented to the Ladies doubles winners Rose Jones & Georgie Willis. Outstanding contribution to Old Cheltonian Rackets this season went to Emilia Davis. Another outstanding dinner followed by the usual Saturday night into Cheltenham led by social secretary Tom Barton. Sunday morning and eventually ten bleary eyed pairs played in the inaugural mixed doubles. Fantastic fun throughout, although chaotic at times and largely selfinflicted! Izzy Candy & Ed Rowell defeated Jack Mitchell & Tara Lumley to win the Floyd plate.

Saturday morning and another first with a group format for the men's draw. To have the World Doubles Champions, Richard Owen & Tom Billings the current World Champion competing in a draw of fantastic players and pairs speaks volumes about the Gold Racquet reputation. The first group took scheduling well over the time allocated so the rules had to be altered slightly. In true Gold Racquet spirit this was blamed on MPB for total incompetence but the players just got it with Throughoutit.the group stages and quarter finals the standard of play was in typically competitive, friendly style with players having fun and congratulating each other.

Left: The Ladies Below: Floyd Plate Winners: Izzy Candy & Ed Rowell ..... the ladies have added another dimension to the weekend

fter a two-year absence through covid we welcomed back the 20th Gold Racquet with the addition of the ladies and mixed doubles format alongside the men's draw.

Bring on 2023! By Honor Cockroft Photo: L to R: Giddins, Willis & the Lumleys 100 Louisa Cottrell (Brown Advisory presenting the prizes with Peter Brake (Eton) and Rob Horn (Cheltenham) PLAY!National Schools’ Rackets Championship 2022 Sponsored by Brown Advisory Annual Report 2021/22

This was the first time that all six events were won by different schools

Quarter final highlights included Felix Clarke and Izzy Candy’s 2-0 triumph over Deakin and Max Dymoke, whilst Georgie Willis and Rory Giddens easily defeated Cawston and Lily Owen 2-0. In the semis, Willis and Giddins went on to beat Georgie Gunn and Jules Manton-Jones 15/3 15/7. Sibling duo John and Tara made it to the final after a tense deciding set to five against Clarke and Candy to win 2-1.

The final saw Oxford alumni Giddens and Willis beating home favourites, the Lumleys, in a closely contested bout. With John serving to win the first game 15/9 for the Lumleys, Oxford won the second before a nail biting set to five saw the latter bring it home. With brilliant marking from Cheltenham’s Rob Horn and Rackets legend Howard Angus, as well as an array of help from everyone on board, the tournament was widely supported at Queen’s and beyond. And with a large amount of OCs in the draw, a special thanks must go to Cheltenham professional Mark Briers, whose drive and determination to grow the mixed game is why events like this happen. Whilst the London tournament saw the best standard yet, it is all about letting the ladies (and men) improve and will always remain open to anyone and everyone. The Andrina Webb Open joins other mixed tournaments the Manchester Mixed and Cheltenham Gold Racket in the Rackets calendar. Hopefully the May bank holiday Monday saw a day of play that would make Andrina proud, as her legacy will continue to be honoured each year with this cup.

Rackets Rankings

First Pairs St Paul’s beat Radley Second Pair Boys Doubles Eton 2 beat Tonbridge 3 Eric Angus Cup Winchester beat Tonbridge Peter Gray Cup Tonbridge beat Malvern Senior Girls Singles - Judy Angus Cup Cesca Sweet (WEL) beat Alice VyvyanRobinson (CHE) Junior Girls Singles - U16 Beryl Danby Cup Sophia Mourdant (MAR) beat Katie Baker (CHE)

‘22April RacketsAnnual Report 2021/22

101

The Brown Advisory British Open Doubles is back after two seasons of covid-affected play and Peter Mallinson was delighted to present the prizes.

AllPhotos:theaction at The British Open Doubles Championship, sponsored by Brown Advisory. Tom Billings, Richard Owen, Ben Cawston & Mike Bailey. Peter Mallinson presenting the trophies and Pol Roger champagne to the victorious Tom Billings & Richard Owen

Final result 18/13 15/0 15/12 18/15 Brown Advisory British Open Doubles Rackets Championships 2022

he reigning 2019 Open champions, Tom Billings and Richard Owen, played reassured and thrilling Rackets to stave off a spirited challenge from Mike Bailey and Ben WorldCawston.Champions, Billings and Owen, also captured the Amateur Championship to add to their long list of accomplishments this season. Although the match was settled in four straight games, all bar the second were closely fought affairs. Twice the game went to set to five, with Bailey and Cawston edging ahead in the latter stages of the final set, ultimately all to no avail. Powerful serving by the champions saw them across the line.

102

The Eliminators

Congratulations to Lea van der Zwalmen who won the Ladies World Championship Challenge and also to her fantastic opponent Cesca Sweet who gave Lea a great game

The Ladies Rackets Singles saw the top four ladies engage in a best of three eliminator tournament for the right to play World Champion, Lea Van Der Zwalmen in Sunday’s grand final.

The first match saw Open Champion, Georgie Willis, up against Open and World Doubles Champion, Tara Lumley. The points were closely contested with each player inching ahead at times, but it was Tara who persevered to win 15/8 15/10. In the second match Open and World Doubles Champion, India Deakin played Cesca Sweet from Wellington, the National Schoolgirls champion and a rapidly rising talent. Cesca’s service dominated the first game but India found her range and fought back in the second. However, Cesca just had enough and triumphed 15/4 15/12.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ladies World Championship spectators the event raised £100 for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal through ticket sales and the T&RA will match this to make the overall donation of £200.

The final eliminator was equally tight, as most would expect, and both Tara and Cesca had times where they were on top. Cesca’s service and incredible reach was matched by Tara’s experience and skilful shot making, and both ladies played top class Rackets. Cesca nudged ahead at the right time to win the first 15/12, twice having to serve for the game. Cesca then carried that momentum in the second game and built a steady lead which Tara was unable to claw back, with Cesca running out 15/8, and the right to challenge for the World title.

Cesca Sweet, National Under 18 Champion, won the right to challenge Lea van der Zwalmen, Ladies Rackets Singles World Champion, for the title. The Championship Challenge Cesca served first but Lea quickly gained the advantage and started stacking up points. Although now based in Bordeaux, Lea had not lost any of her skills and control, sending Cesca scrambling around the court, defending to the best of her ability. Cesca, powerful service and superb reach had won her through the eliminator process, but Lea was adding additional accuracy. The first game was quickly over, with Lea winning convincingly, 15/2. More of the same in the second game, as Lea stepped up the devastating shot-making, missing nothing but always adding perfect weight to her shots. The second game was quickly over, with Lea running away 15/0, and establishing a 2-0 lead.

Ladies World Rackets Singles Championship 2022 Sponsored by 15-2 PLAY! RacketsAnnual Report 2021/22

The third game was very different. With little to lose, Cesca started playing more shots and establishing herself in the rallies. Coupled with finding even better angles on her powerful serves, the game seemed delicately poised, with Cesca holding a 9-8 advantage. But Lea hasn’t been champion for the last seven years without knowing when to find another level, which she now did with sublime ease, taking back the service and slowly, but steadily, closing out the game, and the match, 15/9, successfully defending her title by three games to love. Both ladies embraced after the end of a brilliant display of Rackets. For Cesca, so much to cherish, after producing the performance of her life; for Lea, once again showing the packed gallery why she is simply the best. Congratulations to both ladies. Chris Davies (T&RA CEO) presented the prizes and thanked fellow sponsors, Situ, along with

Ladies World Championship Final Eliminator Round Cesca Sweet beat Tara Lumley 15/12 15/8

15-0 15-9

Ladies World Championship Eliminator Round Cesca Sweet beat India Deakin 15/4 15/12

Right: Ladies World Rackets Champion, Lea van der Zwalmen

Ladies World Championship Eliminator Round Tara Lumley beat Georgie Willis 15/8 15/10

April ‘22 Rackets champion Annual Report 2021/22

Lea Van Der Zwalmen beat Cesca Sweet 15/2 15/0 15/9

Photos: Action shots during the final between Lea and Cesca.

Ladies World Championship Challenge

long-time supporters, Pol Roger and PlayBrave, and legendary Howard Angus, marker, and Paddy Sutton, referee But last mention to Lea, a wonderful champion, sublime Rackets player and first class ambassador for Ladies Rackets.

Above: Chris Davies presenting the Ladies World Rackets Trophy to Lea van der Zwalmen and Pol Roger Champagne to both Lea and runner-up, Cesca.

103

Semi-finals Owen bt James 15/10 14/16 15/3 11/15 15/6

N. James bt A. Gourlay 15/1 15/7 15/1

N.Nassuphis (Ton) bt G. Kent (Wel) 7/15 15/8 15/12

A. Gourlay bt A.Holbourn 15/6 15/3 15/11 P. Sutton bt D. Stone 15/11 15/12 7/15 15/7 O. Cooke bt T. Shields w/o H. Don bt L. Symonds 4/15 15/9 15/6 9/15 15/11 C. Stout bt D. Kent 15/11 15/10 15/9 S. Navaparkur bt M. Brooks 15/15 15/16 15/17 16/13

Group A Ben Cawston bt Mark Farmiloe 15/3 15/3 15/3

Shenkman & Portz bt Stevinson & Horn 15/1 15/4

Oscar Butcher bt Will Taylor 18/13 15/3

Loup/Clarke bt Tancer/Maiorana 15/2 15/2

T. Stevens bt A. Giddins 15/1 15/10 9/15 15/11

J. Rossiter (SPS) bt G. Livesey (SPS) 12/15 15/3 15/5 18/13 M. Garson (Rad) bt W. Walker (Etn) 15/3 15/11 O.15/10Cox (Mlv) bt G. Acheson-Gray (Rad) 15/6 15/3 5/15 15/7 H. Daly (Etn) bt R. Sarin (SPS) 15/5 15/2 15/11 W. Pike (Ton) bt A. Ponsonby (Ton) 15/5 15/2 10/15 15/8

W. Annetts bt V. Scott Geddes w/o N. James bt T. Astley 15/4 15/2 15/3

First Leg

Jack Mitchell bt Joe Maiorana 15/2 15/1 Robert Shenkman bt Rob Horn 15/0 15/1 Henry Stevinson bt Will Stanton 15/6 14/17 15/2

Patrick McCourt bt Marcus Perez 15/3 15/0

Tom Billings & Richard Owen bt Jonathan Larken & James Stout 15/9 15/6 15/10 17/15

T. Billings bt M. Seely 15/2 15/1 15/7

B. Wells (Hby) bt A. Brand (Ton) 0/15 15/7 15/2

O. Weldon (Etn) bt J. Stephenson (Mlv) 12/15 15/1 15/2 O. Gibbon (Win) bt M. Pretor-Pinney (Mar) 15/10 15/9 M. Holland (Mlv) bt T. Rynn (Hby) 15/9 15/5

Westgate bt Tonbridge II 15/6 15/4 18/14

Quarter-finals Haileybury bt Westgate I 11/15 15/0 15/7 15/7

M. Bailey bt H. Don 15/5 15/0 15/0 C. Stout bt O. Cooke 15/8 15/6 15/9

T. Stevens bt I Utkin 15/0 15/3 15/7

M. Bailey bt T. Stevens 15/2 15/1 15/3

Plate Hunt & Candy bt Lewis & Cornwell 15/7 15/8

Cawston bt Matt Brooks 15/0 15/9 15/4

Ben Cawston bt Henry Stevinson 15/10 15/11 Stevinson/Horn bt Perez/Stanton 15/4 15/11 Felix Clarke bt Fionnuala Dowling 15/2 15/2

Final Haileybury bt Winchester 11/15 17/15 14/17 15/7 15/6 15/0

Cawston & Duncliffe-Vines bt Shenkman & Portz 15/0 15/6 15/5 Cawston bt Taylor 15/2 15/1 15/4

Quarter-finals F. Kirkland (Ton) bt T. Sotir (Har) 15/12 15/5 5/15 5/15 15/13 J. Rossiter (SPS) bt P. McCourt (Etn) 6/15 15/9 15/8 15/16 15/1 M. Garson (Rad) bt O. Cox (Mlv) 15/7 15/4 15/3

A. Duncliffe-Vines bt C. Stout 15/3 16/14 15/6

Duncliffe-Vines bt Ben Bomford 15/3 15/6 15/10 Bomford bt Will Annetts 15/2 15/3 15/1

12/15 15/4 15/9 Final M. Garson (Rad) bt F. Kirkland (Ton) 15/1 15/5 15/10

C. Bridges (Cha) bt J. Plummeridge (Clt) 15/11 15/7

Annual Report 2021/22

J. Tate (Mar) bt T. Kinmont 15/0 15/0

Invitation Singles UK 2021

Foster Cup First Round F. Kirkland (Ton) bt O. Hatfield (SPS) 15/8 13/15 15/3 7/15 15/12 T. Sotir (Har) bt A. Macpherson (Ton) 15/13 8/15 15/10 15/11 P. McCourt (Etn) bt W. Baring (Etn) 15/7 15/7 15/12

The Queen’s Club Nov 27 - Dec 07, 2021

Doubles World Challenge

Eton III bt Cheltenham II w/o Eton bt Charterhouse 18/15 15/10 15/10 Malvern bt Malvern III 15/0 15/2 15/9 Haileybury bt Winchester II 0/15 15/2 15/2 15/10

M. Bailey bt J. Manton-Jones 15/1 15/6 15/2

Semi-finals Winchester bt Eton 15/8 15/3 7/15 15/7 15/7 Haileybury bt Cheltenham 8/15 15/9 15/11 17/18 15/12 18/14

Friday Theo Taylor bt Manny Tancer 15/3 15/4

Saturday Cawston & Duncliffe-Vines bt Mitchell & Nicholson 15/2 15/1

James bt Bomford 15/12 15/1 18/16

J. Davies (Clt) bt J. Jones (Ton) 15/11 15/11 S. Owston (Har) bt M. Ecclestone (Hby) 15/2 16/13

Cawston bt McCourt 15/4 15/6 Butcher bt Shenkman 18/13 4/15 15/10 Taylor bt Clarke 15/4 15/11 Portz bt Loup 12/15 15/12 15/4

D. Corbett (Mar) bt H. Campbell-Walter (Mar) 15/4 14/15 15/10 V. Bhamre (SPS) bt S. Hebblethwaite (Mar) 15/9 7/15 15/10 T. Boorman (Mlv) bt G. Stevens (Wel) 15/11 12/15 15/11

W. Annetts bt G. Loup 15/1 15/4 12/15 15/4

Manchester Gold Racquet 2021 Manchester Oct 29 - 31, 2021

Semi-finals T. Billings bt N. James 15/2 15/6 15/6

A. Duncliffe-Vines bt S. Navaparkur 15/4 14/15 15/11 8/15 15/6

Final Tara Lumley & India Deakin bt Georgie Willis & Cesca Sweet 15/12 17/16 13/15 15/11

Richard Owen bt Farmiloe 15/4 17/16 15/10 Owen bt Brooks 15/4 15/5 15/2 Owen bt Cawston 15/8 15/7 ret

The Queen’s Club Dec 11 - 18, 2021

Cawston bt Butcher 15/1 15/6

A. Gourlay bt A. Rozier-Pamplin 15/10 16/15 15/7

Doubles Open Semi-finals

Christian Portz bt Jack Mitchell 15/3 15/2

Doubles World Challenge First Leg

James bt Annetts 17/16 15/5 15/2

Renny Cup First Round R. Slatter (Che) bt M. Woodford (Mar) 15/5 15/10

H. Campbell-Walter (Mar) bt J. Coley (Che) 15/17 15/12 15/1 G. Kent (Wel) bt F. White (Che) 15/5 15/0

S. Robertson (Win) bt H. Lavelle (Cha) 10/15 15/12 15/5 T. Jensen (SPS) bt W. Windows (Clt) 15/9 10/15 15/7 Second Round

Taylor bt Portz w/o Sunday Finals Day

G. Loup bt H. Britton 15/4 14/17 2/15 15/6 15/2

O. Sykes (Ton) bt A. Rajkumar (SPS) 15/11 15/1 R. Slatter (Che) bt A. Jain (Hby) 17/14 15/8

Cheltenham bt St Pauls I 15/1 15/7 15/1 Malvern II bt Eton II 15/3 17/15 5/15 15/13

A. Duncliffe-Vines bt M. Bailey 6/15 15/7 3/15 15/3 8/0 ret Final T. Billings bt A. Duncliffe-Vines 15/7 15/8 15/3

George Loup bt Dom Stone 8/15 15/9 15/1

Noel Bruce 2021 The Queen's Club, Sep 04 – 17, 2021

M. Seely bt J. Jamieson-Black 15/8 12/15 15/5 15/3

Doubles 2021 Malvern Nov 14, 2021

Cawston bt Duncliffe-Vines 15/10 15/9 15/7

National Schools' Championships 2021 Sponsored by Brown Advisory

Cawston & Duncliffe-Vines bt Taylor & Butcher 15/9 Shenkman15/0 & Portz bt Clarke & Loup 15/4 18/15

104

Winchester bt Eton III 15/3 15/6 15/2

Amateur Singles Championships 2021 The Queen’s Club Nov 13 - 23, 2021 Round of 32

New York Racquets Club, Nov 13, 2022

A. Jain (Hby) bt M. Donald (Rad) 15/2 15/5 D. Corbett (Mar) bt B. Tomlinson (Wel) 15/0 15/1

H. Daly (Etn) bt W. Pike (Ton) 5/15 15/5 15/9

Cheltenham bt Malvern II 15/1 15/1 15/0 Eton bt Malvern 15/11 15/4 11/15 15/13

Round 1 Winchester bt Tonbridge 15/7 15/5 15/9

Tara Lumley & India Deakin bt Alice VyvyanRobinson & Tilly Wood Georgie Willis & Cesca Sweet bt Abbie Whybrow & Fionnuala Dowling Membrado

P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) bt A. Catto (Mlv) 15/6 15/5

Group B Alex Duncliffe-Vines bt Nick James 15/3 15/4 15/7

10/15 15/12 Semi-final F. Kirkland (Ton) bt J. Rossiter (SPS) 2/15 1/15 15/14 15/8 15/7 M. Garson (Rad) bt H. Daly (Etn) 12/15 15/10

Brown Advisory Ladies British Open

Quarter-finals T. Billings bt W. Annetts 15/3 15/2 15/4

Round of 16 N. James bt P. Sutton 15/1 15/0 15/6

Tom Billings & Richard Owen bt Jonathan Larken & James Stout 6/15 15/9

Final Cawston bt Owen 5/15 15/9 15/2 15/0

S. Martin-Jenkins (Mar) bt G. Speake (SPS) 16/14 15/1 H. Brown (Etn) bt W. Murphy (Clt) 15/4 15/3

The Queen’s Club, Nov 06, 2022

New World Champions, Billings and Owen, win 5 games to 1

N. Nassuphis (Ton) bt T. Pascoe (Cha) 15/0 15/3

I. Utkin bt E. Gray 15/4 15/0 15/0 A. Rozier-Pamplin J. Marshall 15/1 15/2 15/2

Rackets Results

Taylor/Butcher bt McCourt/Stone 8/15 15/2 16/13

Mitchell/Nicholson bt Taylor/Dowling 15/13 15/0

Duncliffe-Vines bt Annetts 15/5 14/16 15/11 14/15 15/4

A. Siniscalo (SPS) bt N. Baggett (Rad) 2/15 15/6 15/4 F. Gunston (Mlv) bt J. Bristowe (Win) 15/6 15/5 S. Edwards (Wel) bt E. Hector (Ton) 16/13 15/11

Marlborough (T. Barber & G. Hornby) bt Clifton (M. Issacs & S. Trujillo) 15/8 15/10 15/0

H. Knight (Etn) bt F. Sharp (Mlv) 15/5 15/12 H. Nicholls (Win) bt T. Bond (Rug) 15/1 15/0 H. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt A. Varma (Etn) 15/2 15/8

E. Carter (Che) bt N. Prabhu (SPS) 15/8 15/8

S. Moore (Che) bt L. Brunner (Win) 15/6 15/10

H. Clarke (Etn) bt H. Hardinges (Mlv) 17/14 15/8

A. Munn (Mar) bt H. Owens (Har) 15/5 15/2

Final B. Vallat (Win) bt J. Harazi-Webb (Ton) 15/1 15/2 15/8

R. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt F. Moore (Che) 15/4 15/3

Jim Dear Cup

Quarter-finals Wellington 1 (F. Sweet & L Redshaw) bt Cheltenham 7 (A. McAuliffe & I. Mace) 15/5 15/4

F.Thomson (Wel) bt A. Campbell (Clt) 12/15 15/9 15/6 R. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt S. Pike (Ton) 15/4 15/6

P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) bt R. Slatter (Che) 15/9 15/9 15/4 A. Sillars (Win) bt J. Duncan (Rad) 15/10 15/9 Final A. Sillars (Win) bt P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) 15/11 15/13 15/18 6/15 15/10

B. Foster (Wgt) bt R. Tate (Mar) 15/5 15/1

B. Vallat (Win) bt R. Acheson-Gray (Rad) 15/4 15/14 15/2

Fourth Round S. Martin-Jenkins (Mar) bt H. Brown (Etn) 15/6 15/8 R. Slatter (Che) bt O. Gibbon (Win) 5/15 15/9 15/11 M. Holland (Mlv) bt D. Corbett (Mar) 15/2 15/4

G. Stanhope (Har) bt M. Wyman (Mar) 15/4 15/8 J. Hazari-Webb (Ton) bt E. Burton (Mar) 15/0 15/2 C. Kirkwood (Mar) bt K. Patel (SPS) 15/5 4/15 15/6

C. Kirkwood (Mar) bt J. Richardson (Che) 15/10 15/9

Second Round

Semi-finals F. Jennings (Hby) bt A. Siniscalo (SPS) 15/7 15/4

A. Hogben (SPS) bt J. Harrison (Mlv) 15/5 15/5

A. Searson (Che) bt O. Frost (Win) 15/7 15/8

S. Pike (Ton) bt M. Kwintner (Che) 7/15 15/5 15/0

T. Cox (Mlv) bt Kirkby (Wel) 15/5 14/17 15/4

Final F Jennings (Hby) bt F Gunston (Mlv) 15/1 15/8

S. Edwards (Wel) bt Z. Cooke-Priest (Mar) 15/6 15/7

J. Bristowe (Win) bt B. Bratley (Etn) 17/14 15/4

F. Thomson (Wel) bt A. Karpe (Etn) 1/15 15/9 15/4

F. Gunston (Mlv) bt H. Evans (Che) 15/4 15/2

Third Round

15/1012/15 15/8 15/12 15/10

First Round Clifton (M. Issacs & S. Trujillo) bt Cheltenham 5 (E. Lewis & B. Cornwell) 12/15 15/8 15/12

P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) bt J. Postlewhite (Cha) 15/3 15/0 B. Wells (Hby) bt C. Sneddon (Ton) 15/4 15/8 A. Sillars (Win) bt J. Tate (Mar) 15/7 15/10 N. Nassuphis (Ton) bt B. Barnes (Wel) 18/13 16/14 R. Docherty (Ton) bt T. Nicholson (Che) 16/14 15/6 J. Duncan (Rad) bt H. Lefranc (SPS) 15/11 15/11 T. Jensen (SPS) bt C. Bridges (Cha) 17/15 16/14 V. Patel (Har) bt D. Carr-Hill (Ton) 15/13 15/12 J. Burnell (Mar) bt F. Sanders (Che) 15/4 16/13

B. Wateridge (Rad) bt R. Balmain (Win) 15/12 15/0

T. Jensen (SPS) bt S. Robertson (Win) 15/0 15/4 V. Patel (Har) bt C. Dymond (Ton) 15/7 15/10 D. Carr-Hill (Ton) bt F. James (Etn) 12/15 15/10 15/6

S. Martin-Jenkins (Mar) bt A. Baker (Che) 16/13 15/8 H. Brown (Etn) bt O. Sykes (Ton) 5/13 15/12 R. Slatter (Che) bt O. Weldon (Etn) 4/15 15/7 15/7 O. Gibbon (Win) bt J. Cox (Mlv) 15/11 15/13 M. Holland (Mlv) bt J. Davies (Clt) 15/5 15/2

T. Smith-Bingham (Etn) bt F. Barker (Rad) 18/15 15/8

N. Baggett (Rad) bt A. Duguid (Etn) 7/15 15/11 15/4

T. Nicholson (Che) bt H. Markham (Rad) w/o

Quarter-finals

D. Corbett (Mar) bt S. Owston (Har) 15/3 11/15 15/9

N. Alizadeh (SPS) bt A. Garson (Rad) 15/9 15/9 H. Bridgeman (Etn) bt F. Willis (Clt) 15/6 13/16 15/11

R. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt N. Dyer (SPS) 15/2 15/0 M. Kwintner (Che) bt C. Raeside (Cha) 15/4 15/0 S. Pike (Ton) bt A. Harker (Win) 15/7 15/11 R. Tate (Mar) bt J. Morling (Che) 15/10 15/8 M. Barnes (Rad) vs J. Wilson (SPS) 15/11 15/5 J. Moretti (SPS) bt M. Lowrey (Wel) 15/2 11/15 15/10

S. Edwards (Wel) bt F. Biddulph (Che) 15/5 15/6

S. Clements (Mlv) bt A. Hogben (SPS) 15/1 15/10

A. Duguid (Etn) bt K. Vujnovic (SPS) 15/12 7/15 15/9

N. Baggett (Rad) bt H. Clarke (Etn) 15/5 15/10

F. Biddulph (Che) bt O. Oldenhove (Win) 15/4 15/1

B. Barnes (Wel) bt S. Hadfield (Ton) 15/1 15/4

Cheltenham 3 (L. Nicholson & O. VyvyanRobinson) bt Cheltenham 2 (I. Yardley & L. Sutton) 15/10 5/15 15/3 15/12

T. Cox (Mlv) bt C. Quirke (Che) 15/10 15/2 Kirkby (Wel) bt A. Hay (Win) 15/7 15/1

F. Gunston (Mlv) bt A. Quirke (Che) 15/0 15/1

N. Alizadeh (SPS) bt T. Denner (Clt) 15/2 15/1

First Round

B..Vallat (Win) bt N. Alizadeh (SPS) 15/6 15/7

F. Gunston (Mlv) bt H. Dighe (Hby) 15/2 15/8

Quarter-finals F. Jennings (Hby) bt A. Searson (Che) 15/3 15/1

N. Baggett (Rad) bt H. Lister (Har) 15/2 15/0

Fourth Round F. Jennings (Hby) bt B. Wateridge (Rad) 15/0 15/0

J. Mannon (Ton) bt O. Tait (Win) 15/0 15/13

J. Kirkland (Ton) bt B. Tilbury (Hby) 15/4 15/1

F. Gunston (Mlv) bt S. Edwards (Wel) 15/10 15/6

105 Rackets Results

L. Massi (SPS) bt J. Codrington (Har) 15/1 15/2

M. Herron (Har) bt B. Evans (Mlv) 15/2 15/7

B. Mallinson (Wel) bt A. Munn (Mar) 15/6 15/4

J. Hazari-Webb (Ton) M. Barnes (Rad) 15/0 15/7

J. Hazari-Webb (Ton) bt O. Bamford (Ton) 15/10 15/4 15/2

Cheltenham 3 (L. Nicholson & O. V-Robinson) bt Haileybury (A. Buchan & M. Jennings) 15/1 15/6 15/5

Incledon-Webber Cup First Round

H. Nicholls (Win) bt H. Knight (Etn) 15/1 15/3

T. Boorman (Mlv) bt V. Bhamre (SPS) 15/6 15/3

R. Docherty (Ton) bt H. Baker (Cha) 15/6 15/8 J. Duncan (Rad) bt M. Allen (Clt) 15/8 15/5 H. Lefranc (SPS) bt H. Buxton (Etn) 9/15 15/10 15/5 C. Bridges (Cha) bt A. King (Win) 15/4 15/3

Third Round

O. Bamford (Ton) bt C. Kirkwood (Mar) 15/8 5/15 15/1

Cheltenham 1 (A. Vyvyan-Robinson & T. Wood) bt Cheltenham 4 (A. Carter & L. Davis) 15/4 15/5

J. Bristowe (Win) bt B. Mallinson (Wel) 15/1 15/0

J. Hazari-Webb (Ton) bt G. Stanhope (Har) 15/2 15/9

T. Henman (Rad) bt D. Nellen (Etn) 15/10 17/14

A. Campbell (Clt) bt H. Bridgeman (Etn) 15/5 15/11

O. Frost (Win) bt H. Jacobs (Ton) 5/15 16/11 15/8

R. Slatter (Che) bt S. Martin-Jenkins (Mar) 15/10 15/10 P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) bt M. Holland (Mlv) 10/15 15/12 15/7 A. Sillars (Win) bt N. Nassuphis (Ton) 15/10 15/9 J. Duncan (Rad) bt V. Patel (Har) 15/11 15/12 Semi-finals

H. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt B. Foster (Wgt) 15/2 15/0

H. Evans (Che) bt J. Mitchell (Win) 15/6 15/0

T. Cox (Mlv) bt T. Smith-Bingham (Etn) 15/12 11/15 15/12

H. Evans (Che) bt A. Royle (Har) 18/13 11/15 ret

F.Thomson (Wel) bt L. Massi (SPS) 16/14 11/15 15/7

B. Wateridge (Rad) bt H. Donald (Rad) 15/6 11/15 15/7

National Schoolgirls’ Doubles Championships 2021

Marlborough (T. Barber & G. Hornby) bt Cheltenham 6 (H. Oates & R. Coull) 15/0 15/8 15/12

E. Hector (Ton) bt T. Henman (Rad) 15/8 15/2

B. Vallat (Win) bt F.Thomson (Wel) 15/0 15/3 5 R. Acheson-Gray (Rad) bt H. Nicholls (Win) 15/8 17/15 J. Hazari-Webb (Ton) bt H. Acheson-Gray (Rad) 15/11 12/15 15/8 O. Bamford (Ton) bt E. Carter (Che) 15/14 15/2

A. Siniscalo (SPS) bt M. Herron (Har) 15/6 15/2

H. Clarke (Etn) bt R. Kirby (Wel) 15/10 15/5

E. Hector (Ton) bt B. Hufford-Hall (Har) 15/8 17/14

H. Donald (Rad) bt S. Kingsbury (Win) 15/4 16/13

O. Frost (Win) bt K. Neu (Mar) 16/13 15/0 H. Jacobs (Ton) bt O. Webster (Cha) 15/2 15/4

H. Clarke (Etn) bt P. Ballingal (Har) 15/7 17/14

A. Searson (Che) bt T. Campbell-Johnson (Har) 18/13 2/15 15/3

Quarter-finals

O. Frost (Win) bt J. Mannon (Ton) 15/10 16/13 H. Jacobs (Ton) bt R. McGreggor (Win) 15/0 15/3

Third Round

P. Ballingal (Har) bt G. Herring (Clt) 15/12 15/5

R. Quinton (Cha) bt E. Hall (SPS) 15/9 11/15 18/13

Sponsored by Brown Advisory Senior Girls Doubles

P. Compton-Burnett (Etn) bt T. Boorman (Mlv) 16/13 15/4 A. Sillars (Win) bt B. Wells (Hby) 15/0 15/9 N. Nassuphis (Ton) bt R. Docherty (Ton) 15/4 15/4 J. Duncan (Rad) bt T. Jensen (SPS) 15/6 15/4 V. Patel (Har) bt J. Burnell (Mar) 15/9 15/7

Annual Report 2021/22

A. Searson (Che) bt T. Threlfell (Hby) 15/3 15/0

Semi-finals

T. Campbell-Johnson (Har) bt K. Dalwood (Hby) 15/2 15/1

A. Siniscalo (SPS) bt G. Zawoda (Mar) 15/5 15/9

Second Round B. Vallat (Win) bt J. Pym (Wel) 15/2 15/0

M. Barnes (Rad) bt J. Moretti (SPS) 15/0 15/0

J. Bristowe (Win) bt S. Podder (SPS) 15/2 15/10

F. Jennings (Hby) bt S. Moore (Che) 15/0 15/2

E. Carter (Che) bt D. Pandy (SPS) 15/8 15/8

B. Bratley (Etn) bt H. Porter (Har) 15/2 15/7

O. Bamford (Ton) bt R. Quinton (Cha) 15/9 15/3

S. Edwards (Wel) bt T. Cox (Mlv) 15/9 15/4 E. Hector (Ton) bt S. Clements (Mlv) 15/6 15/6

A. Siniscalo (SPS) bt J. Kirkland (Ton) 15/0 15/6

B. Mallinson (Wel) bt J. Nelson (Har) 15/12 15/9

F. Jennings (Hby) bt A. Loder (Cha) 15/1 15/1

S. Clements (Mlv) bt R. Todd (SPS) 15/5 15/9

B. Mallinson (Wel) bt C. Chambers (Har) 15/0 15/3

L. Nicholson (Che) bt K. Marvin (Mar) 15/4 6/15 15/4

T. Wood (Che) bt H.Oates (Che) 15/6 15/12

First Round Radley 2 (A Garson & Radley Morgan Barnes) bt Clifton 1 (A Campbell & T Denner) 15/6 15/7 15/5 Eton 1 (H Bridgeman & F Rich) bt Marlborough 2 (R Tate & T Chavasse) 15/2 15/5 15/2 Harrow 1 (G.Stanhope & C.Hope) bt Wellington 2 (E Campion & M Lowrey) w/o 1 (J Richardson & F Moore) bt Charterhouse 1 (C Raeside & R Quinton) 15/4 15/5 15/4 Winchester 2 (A Harker & S Lam) bt St Paul's 2 (N.Prabhu & J.Wilson) 15/11 16/13 16/13

Tonbridge 2 (E Hector & F Mulder) bt Winchester 3 (W Hammerson-Jones & A James-Duff) 15/2 15/3 18/13

M. Fletcher (Che) bt R. Hanbury (Che) 15/9 15/10

A.Drayson (Ben) bt H. Taylor 15/4 15/7 L. Greenwood (Che) bt I. Kennedy (Mal) 15/6 15/7

National Schoolgirls’ Singles Championships 2022 Sponsored by Brown Advisory

Wellington 1 (S Strauss & F Thomson) bt Tonbridge 2 (O Bamford & S Pike) 15/12 4/15 7/15 15/6 18/6 Radley 1 (R Acheson-Gray & H Acheson-Gray) bt Harrow 1 (G.Stanhope & C.Hope) 15/2 18/17 17/15

Winchester 2 (O.Oldenhove & O Frost) bt Harrow 1 (T Campbell-Johnson & H Porter) 15/4 16/13 15/12

Tonbridge 1 bt Winchester 1 15/8 15/6 15/7

Tonbridge 3 bt Tonbridge 2 14/15 15/10 15/12 15/9

Peter Gray Cup (U15 Boys Doubles) First Round Eton 1 (T.Smith-Bingham & H.Clarke) bt Haileybury 2 (K Dalwood & T Threlfall) 15/3 15/8 15/2 Malvern 2 (H Hardinges & T Cox) bt Wellington 2 (R Kirby & A Wyld) 15/7 15/6 15/12 St Paul's 3 (A Sankaye & G Ashton) bt Marlborough 1 (T Morgan & Z Cooke-Priest) 15/9 8/15 15/7 Winchester 1 (J Bristowe & L Brunner) bt Charterhouse 2 (O Webster & A Magliana) 15/2 15/10 17/15 Marlborough 2 (A Munn & G Zawoda) bt Charterhouse 1 (A Loder & C Bromley) 15/7 15/1 15/8 Harrow 2 (A Royle & J Nelson) bt Cheltenham 2 (F Warr & M Callon-Hine) 15/6 15/9 15/11

B. Cawston & M. Bailey bt I. Utkin & J. Rossiter w/o

St Paul's 1 bt Wellington 1 14/14 15/5 15/3 15/11

A. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) bt B. Cornwell (Che) 15/6 15/6

Junior Girls Singles: U16 Beryl Danby Cup

T. Billings & R. Owen bt H. Don & W. Annetts 15/3 15/1 15/4 15/5

Tonbridge 2 bt Eton 2 10/15 13/15 15/0 15/5 15/3

15/5 15/8 G. Barnes (Clt) bt S. Lea (Wel) 15/9 15/4

Radley 3 (F.Barker & O. Southan) 15/4 15/6 15/8

L. Hue-Williams (Wel) bt C. Davies (Wel) 15/4 15/5

Cheltenham 1 (J Richardson & F Moore) bt Harrow 2 (M Fulford & J Codrington) 15/3 15/2 10/15 15/6

Semi-finals F. Sweet (Wel) bt G. Hornby (Mar) 15/0 15/1

Annual Report 2021/22

Tonbridge 1 bt Harrow 2 15/7 15/9 15/12

Final S. Mordaunt (Mar) bt K. Baker (Che) 15/0 15/10

Tonbridge 1 (F Jacobs & J Kirkland) bt Malvern 3 (J Harrison & A Edavalath) 15/0 15/4 15/0

Eric Angus Cup (U16 Boys Doubles)

A. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) bt L. Nicholson (Che)

M. Leslie (Che) bt A. Csenke (Hby) 15/7 15/6

St Paul's 2 (A Siniscalo & S Poddar) bt Harrow 3 (H Owens & M Herron) 15/5 15/0 15/4

St Paul's 3 bt Malvern 2 15/4 15/4 15/6

O. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) bt I. Colbourne (Rug) 15/0 15/2

Brown Advisory British Open Doubles

Second Round Haileybury 1 bt Eton 1 15/8 15/9 17/14

Rackets Championships 2022 The Queen’s Club Mar 31 - Apr 12, 2022

Winchester 1 (H Nicholls & B Vallat) bt Cheltenham 2 (C. Worrall & W Staunton) 15/0 15/1 15/0 Radley 2 bt Clifton 2 (Z Shafi & A Moloney) 18/16 15/10 17/16 St Paul's 1 (N Alizadeh & L.Massi) bt Eton 1 15/4 15/11 15/6

St Paul's 1 bt Tonbridge 2 15/11 14/15 15/5 1/15 17/14

Tonbridge 1 bt Haileybury 1 15/12 17/14 2/15 17/16

Eton 2 (B.Bratley & A.Duguid) bt Radley 1 (T Henman & H Donald) 9/15 15/4 16/13 15/0

F. Sweet (Wel) bt L. Redshaw (Wel) 15/3 15/2

H.Oates (Che) bt G.Morris (Clt) 15/6 15/6

St Paul's 2 bt Radley 2 15/8 18/15 15/11

Final F. Sweet (Wel) bt A. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) 15/4 15/1 13/18 15/3

M. Fletcher (Che) bt N. Nissum (Clt) 15/2 15/1

107 Rackets Results Tonbridge

Quarter-finals S. Mordaunt (Mar) bt A.Drayson (Ben) 15/7 15/3

G. Hornby (Mar) bt L. Sutton (Che)

E. Pitts (Wel) bt T. Birch (Che) 15/5 15/10 M. Leslie (Che) bt T. Huesges (Hby) 15/8 15/9

L. Hue-Williams (Wel) bt O. Holroyd (Wel) 15/8 15/6 K. Baker (Che) bt M. Fletcher (Che) 18/4 15/1

Senior Girls Singles: Judy Angus Cup

Semi-finals Winchester bt Wellington 15/12 15/10 15/7 Tonbridge bt Radley 15/3 15/6 15/5

Final Tonbridge bt Malvern 1/15 15/11 15/8 15/12

O. Holroyd (Wel) bt R. Spavin (Hby) 15/7 15/6

Round 1 I. Utkin & J. Rossiter bt R. Sutton & H. Prenn 15/1 15/10 15/0 15/12

Semi-finals S. Mordaunt (Mar) bt M. Leslie (Che) K. Baker (Che) bt L. Hue-Williams (Wel)

M. Leslie (Che) bt E. Pitts (Wel) 15/12 15/5

H. Don & W. Annetts bt J. Marshall & P. Baily 15/18 15/12 15/6 15/8 15/5

First Round S. Mordaunt (Mar) bt S. Purdom (Wel) 15/0 15/1

Eton 2 bt Harrow 3 15/2 9/15 15/10 15/4

Wellington 1 ( S Edwards & B Mallinson) bt

M. Jennings (Hby) bt A. Carter (Che) 15/4 15/7

L. Compton-Burnett (Wel) bt T.Coley 15/6 15/0

12/15 15/9

T. Stevens & B. Stevens bt D. De Silva & R. Horn 15/0 15/1 15/5 15/6

L. Nicholson (Che) bt I. Yardley (Che) A. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) bt T. Wood (Che)

Malvern 1 (S Clements & F Gunston) bt Clifton 1 (G Herring & C Read) 15/4 15/2 15/3

L. Hue-Williams (Wel) bt M. Watson (Che) 15/3 15/3 R. Hanbury (Che) bt M. Croad (Hby) 15/2 15/0

Final Eton 2 bt Tonbridge 3 15/11 17/14 15/10

Malvern 1 bt St Paul's 1 15/11 15/4 15/10

First Round

G. Cresswell (Mar) bt T. Barber (Mar) 15/12 15/6

Semi-finals

Second Round

L. Nicholson (Che) bt S. Trujillo (Clt) 15/10 15/12

C. Davies (Wel) bt B. Willis (Clt) 11/15 17/14 15/2

M. Farmiloe & J. Lumley bt H. Hardman & S. Navapurkar 15/2 15/1 18/17 15/9

A. Csenke (Hby) bt C. Mcnair-Scott (Wel)

L. Sutton (Che) bt M. Jennings (Hby) 15/9 15/11 15/9

T. Barber (Mar) bt S. Roma (Clt) 15/0 15/4

Quarter-finals F. Sweet (Wel) bt G. Cresswell (Mar) 15/2 15/1

St Paul's 2 bt Radley 2 15/11 15/1 10/15 15/4

Eton 2 bt St Paul's 2 15/3 15/9 15/17 15/5

Winchester 2 (A Harker & S Lam) bt

Radley 2 (N Baggett & B Wateridge) bt Clifton 2 (J Brooks & Junsei Yasuda) 15/3 15/5 15/0

Malvern 1 bt Winchester 2 15/1 15/4 15/8

S. Trujillo (Clt) bt H. Genieser (Spsg) 15/11

L. Redshaw (Wel) bt M. Gispan (Clt) 15/0 15/0

I. Yardley (Che) bt L. Davis (Che) 15/11 17/14

D. Tuthill (Mal) bt I. Maloney (Clt) 15/4 15/11

Final Winchester bt Tonbridge 15/9 10/15 15/11 15/7

Second Round S. Mordaunt (Mar) bt L. Compton-Burnett (Wel) 15/0 15/0 A.Drayson (Ben) bt L. Greenwood (Che) 15/0 15/0 A. Csenke (Hby) bt G. Barnes (Clt) 0/15 15/11 15/12

A. Duncliffe-Vines & A. Titchener-Barrett bt T. Astley & A. Rozier-Pamplin 15/8 15/7 15/1 15/3

T. Wood (Che) bt A. Buchan (Hby) 15/5 15/8

K. Baker (Che) bt L. Mangat (Wel) 15/0 15/0

St Paul's 1 (R Todd & A Hogben) bt Cheltenham 1 (S Moore & F. Biddulph) 10/15 11/15 15/2 15/5 15/5

T. Bomford & P. Sutton bt H. Britton & J. Britton 15/4 15/2 15/6 15/4

G. Hornby (Mar) bt O. Vyvyan-Robinson (Che) 15/10 15/6

L. Davis (Che) bt G. Culley (Clt) 15/11 17/14

Malvern 1 bt St Paul's 2 18/13 15/7 15/2 Semi-finals

O. Holroyd (Wel) bt D. Tuthill (Mal) 15/7 15/4

K. Baker (Che) bt I. Elliman (Che) 15/9 15/8

Winchester 1 bt Marlborough 2 15/1 15/7 15/0

Marlborough 1 (C Kirkwood & M Wyman) Tonbridge 1 (S Seecharan & J Hazari-Webb) bt Eton 2 (A.Varma & A.Karpe) 15/10, 15/1, 15/12

3 vs Harrow 2 15/11 12/15 15/8 15/7

Second Round

Winchester 1 bt Radley 2 15/0 15/5 15/2 Wellington 1 bt St Paul's 1 2/15 15/6 15/8 15/11 Radley 1 bt Cheltenham 1 15/6 15/9 15/0 Tonbridge 1 bt Winchester 2 15/1 15/3 14/17 15/2

Quarter-finals

G. Cresswell (Mar) bt A. Campbell (Clt) 15/2 15/2

Elliman (Che) bt C. Havisham (Wel) 15/8 15/1

Cheltenham

T. Shields & A. Gourlay bt R. Spender & D. Wright 15/4 5/15 13/15 15/5 15/11 11/15 15/2

Round of 16 N. Hopcroft & G. Loup bt J. Porter & H. Duncan 15/11 15/6 15/11 14/17 11/15 15/6

Quarter-finals Haileybury 1 bt St Paul's 3 16/15 15/11 6/15 15/10

T. Billings & R. Owen bt A. Duncliffe-Vines & A.

Oliver Taylor bt Tom Price 15/1 15/3

Final Utkin & Duncan bt Hocking & Porter w/o Under 24 Singles Swallow Trophy

Ben Cawston & Ed Beard bt Edward Springett & Eddie Gray 15/0 15/0

Quarter-finals

Tom Panto bt Theo Taylor (3) 17/15 15/4

Archie Green & Hector Hardman bt Bristowe & Rossiter 15/1 15/4

Annetts bt Taylor 15/4 10/15 15/5 Semi-finals Giddins bt Dymoke 15/8 15/0 15/2 Annetts bt Panto 15/9 15/10 15/4

Julius Manton-Jones & Will Annettes bt Devlin & Weale 15/1 15/1

First Round

James Rossiter bt George Skinner 15/9 15/4

108 Rackets Results

Eliminators Tara Lumley bt Georgie Willis 15/8 15/10

Hocking bt Toby Weale 15/3 15/4

Under 21 Doubles - Leonard Cup

Quarter-finals

Utkin bt Hocking 15/12 15/6 Taylor bt Panto 6/15 15/5 15/6 5/15 15/12

The Queen’s Club Apr 20 - 24, 2022

15/4 15/7 15/1 15/6 B. Cawston & M. Bailey bt T. Bomford & P. Sutton 15/3 15/7 15/7 15/3

Quarter-final

A. Duncliffe-Vines & A. Titchener-Barrett bt

First Round

Cesca Sweet bt India Deakin 15/4 15/12

C Fraser & C Marlow-Thomas (Life Guards) bt W Kenyon & H Akerman 3-0

T. Billings & R. Owen bt M. Farmiloe & J. Lumley

Past and Present/Inter Services Doubles

Semi-finals Igor Utkin & Hamish Duncan bt Oliver Munn & Alex Renwick 5/15 15/9 15/5 15/0

Valla Scott-Geddes bt Thomas Astley 15/11 8/15 15/12

Giles Hocking & Jamie Porter bt Peter Colbourne & Ben Robinson 15/1 15/8

Quarter-finals

Save the Dates Rackets World ChallengeSingles First leg Chicago - 19th SecondNovemberleg The Queen's Club - 26th November Tom Billings Ben Cawston V Annual Report 2021/22

Final T. Billings & R. Owen bt B. Cawston & M. Bailey 18/13 15/0 15/12 18/15

N. Hopcroft & G. Loup bt T. Stevens & B. Stevens 15/12 15/11 0/15 15/1 3/15 5/15 15/7

George Skinner & Lewis Symonds 15/10 15/8

George Bristowe & James Rossiter bt

Jamie Porter bt Will Taylor 15/2 15/1

Igor Utkin bt Renwick 15/6 15/2 Tom Panto bt Porter w/o Semi-finals

Rory Giddins & Oliver Taylor bt Giles Hocking & Jamie Porter 15/2 15/7

Final Eliminator Cesca Sweet bt Tara Lumley 15/12 15

The Queen’s Club May 21, 2022

Quarter-finals

Milne Hue Williams 2022

Alex Renwick bt Oliver Munn 15/6 15/7

Will Annetts bt Julius Manton-Jones 7/15 15/11 15/9

Final Giddins bt Annetts w/o

Eamon Devlin & Toby Weale bt Valla ScottGeddes & Tom Price 15/4 15/8

Under 24 Doubles - Sutton Trophy

Lea van der Zwalmen retains her World Singles title UK Combined Services Championships 2022 The Queen’s Club May 04 - 06, 2022

Final B Cawston & V Scott-Geddes bt E Distelbrink & A Stannard 15/1 15/1 15/10

Rory Giddins bt Jack Foremans 15/10 15/3

Semi-finals

Under 21/Under 24 Championships 2022

Final Cawston & Beard bt Manton-Jones & Annettes 15/9 17/14 15/6

T. Shields & A. Gourlay 15/8 15/2 15/9 15/3

Giddins bt Rossiter 15/2 15/3 Dymoke bt Scott-Geddes 15/4 15/8

Ladies World Singles Rackets

Championship 2022 The Queen’s Club Apr 30 - May 01, 2022

Titchener-Barrett 15/8 15/6 15/11 18/15 B. Cawston & M. Bailey bt N. Hopcroft & G. Loup 15/4 15/0 15/4 15/1

Lewis Symonds bt Eamon Devlin 15/9 14/15 15/7

First Round

Theo Taylor bt Harry Foreman 15/3 15/8

Semi-finals Cawston & Beard bt Green & Hardman 16/15 15 /7 Manton-Jones15/7 & Annettes bt Giddins & Taylor 17/16 15/11 6/15 2/15 15/11

U21 Singles - Christopher Green Cup

Giles Hocking bt Thomas Astley 17/14 18/16

Hocking & Porter bt Will Taylor & Theo Taylor 15/5 15/7 15/13

S Yankson bt W Kenyon 3-0

Final Taylor bt Utkin 15/4 15/12 10/15 15/11

Max Dymoke bt Edward Springett 15/7 15/11

Panto bt Symonds 15/7 15/10

Championship Challenge Lea Van Der Zwalmen bt Cesca Sweet 15/2 15/0 15/9

Past and Present Singles

North American Racquets Association

ItPresidentgivesmeenormous

109

pleasure to be writing this year’s review with a much more upbeat pen. Racquets in North America has bounced back strongly from the Covid 19 interruption. Our membership is traveling again, and the game is thriving at all of our seven club courts. Critically we were able to host a full season of tournaments and It was encouraging to see strong participation in quality and quantity of play. I am grateful for everyone’s flexibility when we needed to postpone the January 2022 tournaments to the springtime when the Omicron wave came through North America. Our membership is strong and growing and we are beginning to attract more young players who are traveling to other clubs and participating in tournaments. Early in the season both the Kendrick Cup and our annual Under 35 event showcased exciting junior potential and we continue to support initiatives to grow this cohort.

By Jonathan Larken

Last November The Racquet & Tennis Club in New York hosted the second leg of the World Doubles Championship, and we would like to congratulate our new Champions, Tom Billings and Richard Owen who played exceptionally well over both legs and proved too strong for the incumbent pair. The Western Open produced a strong draw and in the singles Ben Cawston beat Alex Duncliffe Vines 3-2 and Will Hopton and Conor Medlow prevailed 3-0 in the doubles over Ben Cawston and Zach Sacks. Our flagship event, the US Open, was played in New York and congratulations must go to Ben Cawston who, in defeating Alex Duncliffe-Vines 3-0 in the final, secured himself a World Championship Singles Challenge. Ben has deservedly earned the right to challenge the current World Champion, Tom Billings. The first leg will be held in Chicago on November 19th during the club’s centenary year. James Stout and Peter Cipriano became US Open Doubles Champions with their impressive 3-1 victory over Ben Cawston and Mike Bailey. For the other tournament results, please head to the NARA website. In conclusion, we had a successful season on court, and it was wonderful to reconnect with old friends from our community. The North American Racquets Association continues to grow and support our game through several exciting initiatives. We remain grateful to all our club professionals for the time and dedication given to this Play!game.

Annual Report 2021/22

Charterhouse Rackets Report – A Season of Firsts

110 Rackets Club Reports

all-white kit, and to a man they relished every moment on court. Whilst victories in regular school fixtures proved hard to come by, they were celebrated with gusto when they did arrive after Christmas, Winchester for the second pair and Eton for the Third Pair. The highlight, though, of the second pair’s season, was progressing to the third round in the Second Pair Competition at Queen’s. In the Colts, Charlie Raeside and Rupert Quinton, worked hard at their respective games, but had the annoying habit of taking it in turns to play to their potential, and it wasn’t until we hosted Eton that they secured victory. Though it is worth mentioning that the match itself kept the spectators royally entertained and it was only after twelve hands in the set of the deciding game that they could punch the air in delight at the outcome. The Junior Colts were well served by Alex Loder, Charlie Bromley and Freddie Cowling, whose enthusiasm for the game was infectious and the inordinate amount of time spent at the courts will surely reap rewards next year. As mentioned previously we were delighted to be able to welcome our first intake of Yearling girls into the courts and they, along with a talented group of Yearling boys, have thoroughly enjoyed their first season of Rackets. The Yearlings A Pair, in Ollie Webster and Alex Magliana, have proved to be a force to be reckoned with, winning five of their six School Matches, whilst Summer Gratton has represented the School in both fixtures against Wellington. We look forward to these three, along with all the other boys and girls in their year, continuing to make swift progress in the coming years.

CharterhouseCharterhouse

By Matt Coley, Master-in-Charge

Now it is time to take stock, lick our wounds, and plan for the next season. September 2022 can not come round fast enough!

This year saw the return of school matches to the calendar meaning Cheltenham College Rackets Club has enjoyed an incredibly busy season in all areas. This has included a healthy fixture list for both boys and girls, intra-college competitions, a very busy one court training programme with over one hundred players and the welcome return of the Gold Racquet for its 20th year. Although there was some movement in the boys first pair, Robbie S (L6) and Max K (5F) cemented their places and played at first pair for the Spring Term with some success, hopefully they can use this experience and continue to improve next season. Robbie had a successful Renny Cup run, eventually losing to a fine Etonian in the semi-final. The second pair consisted of Captain Anay S (U6) and Theo N (U6) who have been great servants to the Rackets Club and unfortunately had a tricky draw in the second pairs competition. On the girls side, Captain Alice V-R (U6) and Tilly W (U6) represented College at first pair magnificently and were deserving runners up in the Robbin Geffen U18 doubles. Alice also put in a superb performance of the Judy Angus U18 singles, losing 1-3 to a strong Wellington player. This year’s U6th of Alice, Tilly, Lily S, Lottie D and Annie C have been ever presents and have supported any and all tournaments, we hope they keep this up. Meanwhile in the Alex Brodie U16 doubles, a strong Cheltenham pair of Katie B and Mary L played superbly to become champions. Katie B also managed an impressive run in the U16 Beryl Danby Singles, eventually coming second to an excellent Malburian. Alongside the talented L6 of Lily N, Isy Y, Olivia V-R it looks like we will have some strong senior pairs. Behind the scenes the Cheltenham College Rackets Club strives to move in the right direction on and off the court, and our thanks go to Professional Mark Briers and Assistant Professional Rob Horn for providing the best pathway possible.

Cheltenham CollegeCheltenham College

t was with immense pleasure that we reopened the Rackets Courts at Charterhouse in September to, once again, start a season of competitive Rackets. Nothing beats the anticipation of the gallery as they await the first serve of the match, nor the hush, followed by an explosion of cheers, at the culmination of a high-tempo rally, and when you layer on top of that the pulse of the marker’s calling, you have the perfect sporting spectacle. As if this was not enough, it was also a season of firsts at Charterhouse with the inaugural fixture involving Yearling girls, against Wellington, and the first ever school match against Malvern, very kindly hosted by Marlborough. The first pair, in Charlie Bridges, Captain, and Toby Pascoe, certainly played their part with the competitive and highly entertaining style of Rackets they showcased on court. It also looked initially as if this would also be a highly successful season when they found themselves at match point up to secure a famous 3-0 victory away at Marlborough, having already triumphed, 3-0, over Haileybury in their first match. As we all know though, Rackets can turn in a trice, and who would have guessed that once that opportunity had slipped through their fingers that victory for the remainder of the season would prove so elusive, though Charlie Bridges thoroughly enjoyed reaching the third round of the Renny Cup at TheChristmas.second and third pairs saw Harry Baker, Jonty Postlewhite, Harry Lavelle and Tom Kinmont donning the

By Andy Johnson, Master-in-Charge

In April we had the official opening of the Prenn Hue Williams court. This was an excellent occasion with a great turn out and a fitting tribute to the unstinting efforts of John Prenn and Charles Hue Williams in supporting Harrow's Rackets over many decades. It was great to return to playing at Queen's. Tarquin Sotir (Druries), who was selected for the Foster Cup had a fine match in the first round and managed to hold off a spirited display from Macpherson (Tonbridge) to win a tight match 3-1. The next match pitched him against Kirkland (Tonbridge), who had beaten the first seed the day before. A classic match unfolded with a raucous gallery, packed mostly with Tonbridge. Tarquin played some excellent Rackets and fought through to a tense final game. He established an 11-6 lead before falling behind 13-12. Tarquin drew level at 13-13 but was just edged out 15/13 to lose 2-3 in games. Tarquin had shown determination, skill and character. He has another year to go and will be a contender to challenge for this prestigious title in December. Sam Owston (Moretons) and Veer Patel (Knoll) were our other senior representatives in the Renny Cup. Both boys underlined the improvements they had made in winning two matches apiece before losing in their 3rd Atrounds.Colts level we had two representatives. Jonny Codrington (Rendalls) was spirited but lost his match.

ost notably, this season, we said goodbye to former professional and legend of the game, Peter Ellis, who died in June at the age of 89. He was given a wonderful send-off by many of the Rackets community and we look forward to celebrating his life more fully in the autumn with a memorial service at Haileybury. We send our love to Lilian, Richard, Jack and all Peter's family and friends. It was perhaps fitting that it was this season that one of our players, Flynn Jennings, was the first Haileyburian to win a top-flight national singles competition at Queen's since Richard Ellis more than 40 years ago. Flynn's was a remarkably dominant performance throughout the tournament, dropping only 27 points in his 7 rounds. Most encouragingly, the club continues to go from strength to strength, led by our wonderful group of Lower 6th, who have created an atmosphere that has welcomed all comers, including a host of year 8s, who are loving the game and the environment. We must also congratulate our alumnus, Tom Billings, who continues his domination of the world game, winning every major tournament, singles and doubles, and with Richard Owen, defeating Stout and Larkin convincingly to add the world doubles crown to his singles title.

The National Schools Doubles took place at the end of March and we travelled with a strength in depth, especially at senior level. In the First Pair Doubles, Max Shirvell (HM’S) and Tarquin Sotir (Druries) took on Wellington in the first round and were convincing in a 3-0 win. The next match was against the first seeds, Eton. In a match full of twists and turns we overhauled a one game deficit to lead 2-1 and got 8-0 up in the fourth game. Eton turned the tide at this point and we were just unable to close out the match. Tarquin built on his fine display in the singles. He was the best player on court for long periods of the match and his fluent attacking play will live long in the memory to those who were there. Max served superbly, thriving in a high-pressure environment. Given the limited number of games they played together in the year this was an outstanding achievement. We had three pairs in the Second pair Doubles event. Federico Ghersi (HM’s) and Alonso Fontana (Grove) played well to beat pairs from Marlborough and Tonbridge and advance to the quarter final where they were eased out 1-3 by a Tonbridge pair. Federico has added more power to good footwork and Alonso volleyed well and showed a tenacious spirit. Sam Owston (Moretons) and Henry Oelelhafen (Lyons) also won two matches before playing the second seeds Eton. Both boys should be proud of their strong performance in a 1-3 loss where the result was in the balance for the majority of the match. Veer Patel (Knoll) and Stephan Baranov (Moretons) became our third pair to reach the quarter finals after two wins, the second of which was a gutsy effort against a strong Eton pair. In a nail-biting final game, they lost out to the First seeds Tonbridge. Veer built on his singles display to show great leadership and skill. Stephan made great strides to play at such a high level in one year of play.

Rackets Club Reports

112

At Colts level we had two pairs. Gus Stanhope (Moretons) and Charlie Hope (Rendalls) gave a seeded pair from Radley a tight encounter before losing 1-3. Both boys should be commended for the significant improvements they have made over the season. Mostyn Fulford (Knoll) and Charlie Nelson (Bradbys) performed very well but were edged out 1-3. Mostyn enjoyed the big stage and played his best ever match. Charlie has had an excellent year taking up the game at the start of the year. At Junior Colts level we had three pairs entered. Tom Campbell-Johnson (Druries) and Henry Porter (Moretons) played well to create a chance to win but were narrowly lost their opening encounter. Algy Royle (Rendalls) and

By Graeme Tyndall By John

Report 2021/22

HarrowHarrow

AnnualEaton

Gus Stanhope (Moretons) won a match before losing to a seeded player. Gus is striking the ball more cleanly to compliment his quick footwork. In the U15 event we had five removes playing and six shell boys. Though none of them progressed to the later stages, all played with passion and determination. Tom Campbell-Johnson (Druries) produced the strongest display by taking a game off a seeded player. Algy Royle, Harry Owens and Miles Herron (all Rendalls) along with Henry Porter (Moretons) should all be proud of their efforts as remove boys. Six Yearlings gained valuable experience with Peter Ballingal (Moretons) winning a round and Jack Nelson, Harry Lister (Both Bradbys), Filip Wiszniewski (Druries), Charlie Chambers (Rendalls) and Ben Hufford-Hall (Moretons) all showing plenty of potential for the future.

HaileyburyHaileybury

Annual Report 2021/22

The season was eagerly awaited, being the first time fixtures were possible since before covid. A lot of catching up was required due to inexperience and lack of match practice. Donald Corbett & Monty PretorPinney became the established first pair. However, when fulfilling other sporting commitments, their places were filled by Jake Burnell, Max Woodford, and Sam MartinDuringJenkins.the season good progress was made, although this was not always reflected by results. There were fine performances, including a memorable victory against Malvern (an extraordinary match lasting almost 90 minutes where two match points were saved), other wins against Clifton, Harrow and Charterhouse and a narrow loss against Eton. The second pair rotated regularly throughout the season with Sam Martin-Jenkins, Jake Burnell, Harry CampbellWalter, Max Woodford and Sebastian Hebblethwaite all stepping up with considerable vigour. Charlie Kirkwood and Max Wyman struggled with inexperience initially, but improved significantly as the season went on. The Junior Colts showed the most promise with exciting performances from Theo Morgan, Zack Cooke-Priest, Arthur Munn and George Zawoda. Sophia Mordaunt played in Junior Colts Boys matches on several occasions. This was to great effect as she surprised her male opponents with her power and phenomenal Decemberserving. at Queen’s produced memorable performances from Sam Martin-Jenkins who fought impressively to the quarter-final of the Renny Cup playing sparkling Rackets, narrowly losing to a talented Cheltonian. Not to be outdone, Donald Corbett reached the 4th round having won a marathon after 10pm the previous night against a tenacious competitor from Harrow. Charlie Kirkwood lost a fierce battle in the Incledon-Webber 3rd round to a hard hitting Tonbridgian. In the Girls Doubles, Grace Hornby & Tinka Barber put up a good showing against the No. 1 seeds from Wellington in the semi-final. Experience was the telling factor, but this bodes well for next year. The Boys Doubles at Easter produced very satisfying performances from Donald Corbett & Monty PretorPinney who lost a competitive match against eventual finalists Radley. Charlie Kirkwood & Max Wyman went down 2 3 to a talented Colts second pair from Winchester. In the Girls Singles, Georgie Cresswell fought bravely losing to the No.1 seed in the quarter-final of the Senior Girls tournament, and Grace Hornby also lost to the same opponent in the semi-final. Having recovered from a serious eye injury in November, Sophia Mordaunt swept through the Junior Girls tournament without conceding a game with devastating serving and ruthless ground strokes. Still a year younger than her opponents, her performance was widely acclaimed by all who witnessed it, spectators and professionals alike.

By Noel Brett Rob Wakely

MarlboroughMarlboroughJack Nelson (Bradbys) showed real potential to get through a round before giving the eventual winners a competitive contest in the next round. Ben HuffordHall (Moretons) and Charlie Chambers (Rendalls) were outgunned by stronger, older opponents but have both done well in their first year. It was very heartening to see the efforts that all the boys made in preparation for the events held at Queen’s Club. They are very ably backed by Dan Escott as Masterin-Charge, Joey Snell as the new Assistant Rackets Professional and Graham Furber for his ongoing help and support. Four of our eight senior boys who played at Queen’s will return next year and with promising younger players we look forward to next season.

113 D

uring the season Malvern were competitive and this all we can ask of the players. We managed to have some excellent wins mixed in with some disappointing losses, but that is the nature of sport and lessons were learned along the way. With five players in their final year it was very enjoyable to be a part of this Atteam.the singles in December, Olly Cox (captain) was our sole entrant in a strong Foster cup. He played very well and represented the school excellently showing heart, determination and technical ability giving his all to the matches he played in, but unfortunately he lost to the eventual winner. I want to take this opportunity to thank Olly for all his efforts on and off the courts over the five years and he has become a true Rackets badger! The other outstanding achievement went to Flynn Gunston who reached the final of the Jim Dear, but lost to a very good Haileyburian, but I am sure there will be many more tight matches between them in the future. It was great to be at the doubles again in March and we took a strong team down to Queen’s. The first pair fought hard, but came up short and the Under 14’s played well in their first outing.

I would also like to thank OM’s Mark Hubbard and Tom Bomford for their court time with all the players it makes a huge difference and is much appreciated

MalvernMalvern

The highlight was the outstanding performance of the Under 15’s Flynn Gunston and Sam Clements to reach the final. Although it was not meant to be it was a fantastic effort by the boys and very good experience. A mention should also go to the Under 15 girls Bella Kennedy and Daisy Tuthill, who played in their first ever singles matches at Queens. Daisy managed to win the first round in very impressive style against an experienced player from Clifton and whilst Bella lost , she served incredibly well and the match was very close. In November it was also great to host another Ladies Open Doubles event, which was again a huge success. Thank you to all the support from the schools and T&RA for helping to make it the fun tournament that it is.

Rackets

Club Reports

Rackets Club Reports

The squad continued to build on their success and results from previous years. The new U14 players shined on the main stage at Queen’s, with Nathan Baggett reaching the quarter finals and his partner Benedict Wateridge progressing to the 3rd round. Inevitably, healthy competition is driving up standards and whilst they are still learning about how to read the game, especially when it comes to doubles, their eagerness to get on court and improve is an invaluable commodity. Our U15 pair of Hugo Donald and Theo Henman fought hard at Queen’s in the National Schools Doubles, but sadly went out to a solid Eton pair. However, next year as Colts, they will be well placed for a strong run. The U16’s continue to go from success to success and the first pair of Rory Acheson-Gray and Hugo Acheson-Gray, have come on leaps and bounds again this term. Following good wins on the school circuit during the term, they went into both the singles and doubles at Queens, full of confidence. They performed admirably and played well to get to the semifinals in the doubles, eventually losing to a strong Tonbridge pairing. Rory did exceptionally well to reach the semi-final of the singles. Losing to the Winchester top seed was tough, but Rory really took his play to new heights. Rory and Hugo were ably backed up by Ambrose Garson and Morgan Barnes. Both Ambrose and Morgan have huge potential and we look forward to them continuing their progress in the sixth form.

AnnualRock Report 2021/22

115 RadleyRadley

By James

At Senior level, Magnus Garson, George Acheson-Gray and Jonty Duncan, have had a tremendous year at first pair. George suffered a terrible facial injury playing hockey in January and Jonty proved an excellent replacement during a tough period of fixtures. Jonty had reached the Renny semi-final earlier in the year and he put that experience to good use in the school fixtures. George thankfully recovered in time for the National Doubles and sporting the infamous “ski mask” went into battle despite clearly not being 100%. Reaching the final was a tremendous effort. Beating the Eton 1st seeds 3-2 in an epic semi-final was testament to how far Magnus and George have come not only as Rackets players but as Wepeople.must give a special mention to captain Magnus. For the last three years he has worked incredibly hard at his Rackets. The fact he has been able to balance Rackets, Real Tennis, squash, music, Oxbridge and a number of other commitments has been remarkable. A superb captain of the club, he has led from the front throughout and winning the Foster Cup was a phenomenal achievement. The first Foster win for 40 years was massive for Radley, and we are extremely grateful to Magnus and his Theefforts.Summer term offers some respite, with no school fixtures. However, with the developing wider love for the game in the school and the insatiable appetite for improvement of many of the boys, the court will not be quiet for long!

AnnualChampionships.Report2021/22

The National Singles event in December was also a success for St Paul’s seniors in that four boys, Olly, George, Rana, & James, represented the school in the Foster Cup. James, as 4th seed, reached the semi-final, where he tore apart his Tonbridgian opponent in the first two games, 15/4, 15/3, and served for the match at 14-13 in the third game, however, unfortunately, to lose the momentum at that point can have catastrophic results, which was sadly the case here as James lost that game 14/15, and the next two games 8/15 9/15 and therefore, after a great battle, lost 2-3.

The seniors had a spectacular season both individually, and through-out their doubles play, which ultimately culminated in the most outstanding, history making, National Schools First Pair Doubles Championship victory by Olly Hatfield & George Livesey. To win this most prestigious of National Schoolboy Rackets events for the first time in St Paul’s relatively short history, and in such great style, dropping just one game throughout the entire event, is not only great testament to the talent and dedication Olly & George have shown during their 5 years playing Rackets at St Paul’s, but also to the other seniors who have contributed in helping Olly & George reach their potential including, Rana Sarin, James Rossiter, Tom Jensen, Vikram Bhamre, Arjun Rajkumar. In fact, Rana & Tom had a great run themselves in the Second Pairs event as 3rd seeds, comfortably reaching the semis where they unfortunately lost 0-3 to second seeds, Eton.

fter a few quiet years, it has been great to see more boys and girls grace the Rugby Rackets courts. Whilst the search for a professional goes on, significant progress has been made behind the scenes, not least in Howard Angus' visit to assess the condition of the courts, plans to host an exhibition match and the development of an enthusiastic three-man staff team to support a professional when an appointment is made. To that end, we are excited to add the experience and zeal of Paul Gillam to our number in September. Meanwhile, a small but committed group of U16s have enjoyed regular court time and every Year 9 student has been introduced to the sport as part of their enrichment programme. The Advent term fixture against Clifton afforded some their first taste of competitive action, while making an appearance at Queen's in December, however brief, represented a step in the right direction. With the support of the schools' Rackets community, we hope to be in a position to run a fuller programme of fixtures next year. The combination, inopportunely timed, of pandemicenforced restrictions and Phil Rosser's retirement has disrupted the growth of Rackets at the school, but we are excited to be beginning the process of recruiting a new Rackets professional and to seeing the game thrive here once again.

116 Rackets Club Reports A

To begin, I have to comment firstly about how wonderful it has been this academic year that, at last, we’ve returned to some semblance of normality regarding day to day play, weekly fixtures, and National Schools events, not to mention the fantastic club gatherings at the court during morning break that is so vital to the success of our Rackets - boys once again swarmed into the building looking for extra court time and/ or the comfiest couch!

The U16s Are a talented group of boys, however, with the conflict of juggling other sports, practices are unfortunately limited for some. For the most part, Nabil Alizadeh and Darshy Pandey played as the A pair with reasonable success through-out the season, though when it came to the National Doubles at Easter, Darshy was

It must be added that while Olly & George won the First Pairs event at Easter, it was fitting that Charles Hue Williams was part of the presentation party as it was he, that was hugely instrumental in having the court built in 1999/2000 along-side the donor, Old Pauline, John Clay (1947-1952) in the memory of E.P.C. Cotter (1928-1965).

RugbyRugby

By Will Nicholl & Howard Angus St Paul’s St Paul’s

Hatfield and Livesey make Rackets History

By Steve Tulley

In 1937 Old Rugbeian David Milford won the World Rackets Championship. In the 85 years since, the World Champion has been an Old Rugbeian for 34 of those years, 40 %! (David Milford 1937-46, Geoffrey Atkins 195472, Willie Surtees 1972 and 1975-81.) No other School in the 20th Century had 3 World Singles Champions, so Rugby has an outstanding Rackets history. But in the 21st Century Rugby School Rackets the production of School Champions or winners of National Amateur or Open Tournaments has been in decline. This year Rugby School asked the T&RA for assistance in assessing what refurbishments would be needed to restore the two courts to tip-top condition. At the same time, on-going efforts are continuing to be made to find an enthusiastic new professional, following the retirement of Phil Rosser. On behalf of the T&RA I have already had two meetings with the Director of Racket Sports, Chris Folker, and one with the Director of Sport, Debbie Skene, to discuss court repairs, and the hope to have an enthusiastic new professional and two fully refurbished courts for the start of the new academic year in September. It would be grand to see Rugby once again amongst the top Racketplaying schools in boys’ and girls’ school matches and all National Schools

with Rory and what a great job he did, Adrian is a talented Squash player therefore transferring those skills on to a Rackets Court can sometimes be quite easy, and he did just that . In his first U15 match with Rory, against National Champions, Tonbridge, in November they won 3-1, and away against at Cheltenham won 2-0. But it was during the

Finally, it’s that sad time of year to say goodbye to several top guys who have served the Rackets Club spectacularly in every way possible. Oliver Hatfield, George Livesey, Rana Sarin, and Thomas Jensen, have not only been hugely successful on the court through-out their five years at SPS, but their contributions and characters off the court

The David Tate Cup (Internal School Singles)

SPGS Helen Genieser makes Rackets history

117 Rackets Club Reports

The U14s : Are an outstanding group of boys both on and off the court, and these boys are very likely to have been one of the strongest U14 form groups in terms of enthusiasm, commitment, dedication, St Paul’s has been fortunate to have had, and they are showing signs of potential great success in future National Schools events. Adrian Siniscalco led the way in terms of natural talent where he played many successful fixtures as an U15, and during the National Schools U15 Championships as 4th seed, reached his semi-final place comfortably, however, this match proved one level higher for Adrian as he came out second best losing 0-2 to Haileybury’s top seed and eventual winner, and one of the most exciting prospects for a generation, Flynn Jennings. As U14s, we were unbeaten playing several fixtures against schools on the circuit. At the Nationals Schools U15 Doubles Championships we entered two strong U14 pairs (A. Siniscalco/S. Poddar) and (A. Sankaye/G. Ashton) who excelled in everyway reaching the quarter-finals after defeating the likes of Harrow, Malvern, Marlborough, Radley, and only losing to both the 1st & 2nd seeds respectfully.

National Schools doubles at Queen’s Club, where Rory & Alex proved themselves as after having a magnificent run to the semis, defeating 3rd seeds, Wellington, in the 2nd round, and only losing to 2nd seeds, Malvern, in the semi-final.

The Junior (U-16) David Tate Cup was won by Nabil Alizadeh (6th) who defeated Adrian Siniscalco (4th) in the final 2-0.

Senior Girls Singles, at the Queen’s Club last December. Hazel, a very competent squash player, and younger sister of Old Etonian, and 1st class Rackets player, George Genieser, first started playing casually at Queen’s with George Livesey & James Rossiter, who then brought Helen to SPS for further training just two months before the Singles event at Queen’s Club. Talented & technically sound, Hazel, had to be fast tracked into serving & taking serve, as her experience on the squash court enabled her to rally & construct points very well. However, unfortunately, her Cliftonian opponent knew her way around the court better thus having the edge, and although Hazel won the first game, her opponent was vastly more experienced and knew how to change-up her serve effectively which, in the end, made the difference and sealed her 2-1 victory.

Annual Report 2021/22

National Schools

For the very first time in St Paul’s Rackets playing history, SPGS pupil, Helen Genieser (U8th) took part in the National Schools Rackets

unavailable so Lorenzo Massi stepped in with Nabil and performed well only to be beaten by 4th seeds Wellington in the quarter-final.

The U15s: Having been somewhat thwarted by the restrictions of covid, the U15-year group found it hard to get going simply because, as U14s the previous year, they had had such little practice that their level was greatly compromised, however, fortunately, this was mostly the case with other schools therefore, although the overall level was down, it was entirely relevant to the entire year group on the circuit. Rory Todd and Alex Hogben were our main pair although, U14 Adrian Siniscalco, had to step in to play

First Pair Doubles Champions, Olly & George, St Paul’s

The Senior David Tate Cup was won by Rackets Captain & National Schools Doubles winner, Olly Hatfield, who defeated his partner, Rackets Secretary, and National Schools Double winner George Livesey 2-0.

TonbridgeTonbridge

Rackets Club Reports were outstanding, with impeccable manners & good grace, that set the standards for all the boys coming through. It’ll be a great loss to the Rackets club, and the school in general, however, I’m sure they’ll take these skills & attributes wherever they go. Finally, I’d like to say thank you to Dr Beesley for all his support & guidance in times of great need, hopefully we can have as successful 2022/23. And to all the parents who are so understanding of their sons late returns from fixtures as far away as Tonbridge & Cheltenham, not to mention their wonderful support during the National Championships at Queen’s Club.

By David Makey

In the Foster Cup a tricky 1st round match was served up when non seeded Finn Kirkland was drawn against the top seed - the big, strong, mighty Ollie Hatfield of St Pauls. The gallery at Queen’s was heaving. Tonbridge supporters, in full voice, cheered Finn to an amazing victory by three games to two, 15/12 in the decider, in as close and exciting a match as you could possibly ever see, or so we all thought! Finn then played another 5-gamer, beating the impressive Harrow No.1, Tarquin Sotir, in his quarter-final. Finn won the first two games, lost the next two, then won the fifth and final game 15/13 to set up an eagerly awaited semi-final against what many aficionados regarded as potentially the likely Foster Cup winner, 4th seeded James Rossiter (St InPaul’s).my42 years of watching thousands of matches at Queen’s, and many have been epic, this one was the most exciting, unbelievable, and amazing I have ever witnessed. James Rossiter has a huge forehand serve and thumps winners from everywhere. Finn was hammered off court in the first game, losing it 2/15, and the second was similar, 1/15. Two games to love down and obliterated is the only word one could use to describe it. The huge number of Tonbridge supporters, mainly current schoolboys but also parents, staff, and several OTs, had almost been silenced, and were in awe of Rossiter’s demolition job! However, in the early stages of the third game, Rossiter hit a monster shot into the top of the board! Error free until this time he then hammered another huge missile into the board a few points later. Finn started serving aces, hitting winners, and it was game on. The match had suddenly changed. Rallies were now ferocious, with incredible retrieving from our man, before despatching any loose balls with venom. The match ebbed and flowed one way and then the other until the score reached 14-13 and match point in Rossiter’s favour. Finn returned the serve and won the ensuing rally. Back in the service box, Finn thumped a couple of wonderful serves to win the game. Queen’s was now rocking, Tonbridge fans in roaring voice. Still requiring the next two games, much work was still necessary, but Finn gradually wore down the impressive Rossiter, winning the fourth game 15/8. In the final game Finn reached 14 7 and match point, then served a beauty and the roof nearly blew off! It was incredible! Our fans were jumping, shouting, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. The St Paul’s supporters who were in the front row in the gallery were dumbstruck and in shock. The score was 2/15 1/15 15/14 15/8 15/7 Finn had to stay mentally tough in preparation for the next day and the Foster Cup Final against Radley’s No.1, and Foster third seed, Magnus Garson. This was sadly too much. The emotional rollercoaster of not only winning all of his matches by 3 games to 2, and in particular the amazing semi victory, had taken their toll and Finn could not find his rhythm or anything else much, hard though he fought. Garson had been the outstanding junior, with superb athleticism and technical ability in this age group, but always lost in finals. Now two years later he was much stronger in his head, all signs of previous brittleness under pressure had disappeared. Garson won the Final by three games to love. 15/1 15/5 15/10, and deservedly so. Finn could not have lost to a more popular player. What a week of extraordinary Rackets and drama that will long live in the memories of all who were lucky enough to have witnessed that astonishing semi-final victory by Finn Kirkland, in what was the comeback of all time. In the doubles at Easter the first and second pair reached the semi-finals and three of our other pairs, the third pair, U16 and U15, all reached the final of their respective events. This meant that Tonbridge had reached five of the Boys Finals in the eight tournaments at singles and doubles and had won the Mark Faber Cup, presented to the top allround school in the country at the end of every season. We were delighted to have won this prestigious cup, and our whole squad, team players and non-team all played their part in pulling off this remarkable feat. A truly magnificent effort by the boys in the Tonbridge School Rackets Club.

By Charles Oliphant-Callum

118

WellingtonWellington

Annual Report 2021/22

Though Wellington’s boys did not achieve quite the same success as teams of recent seasons, the girls possibly had their best year yet in 2021/22. Beyond doubt was the level of enjoyment experienced by all in the very welcome first full season of play for two years. The star of the season was Cesca Sweet: in March she finished her school career by winning the Judy Angus Cup, having won the Robin Geffen Cup in December with her partner Lilly May Redshaw. In addition to these successes she reached the finals of three senior events: British Open singles, British Open doubles, and, most impressively of all, the World Singles, getting through the toughest matches

Annual Report 2022/22

119

Rackets Club Reports of her career to challenge Lea Van der Zwalmen in the final. The women’s game in schools and beyond is wellestablished, and Cesca looks to be an exciting prospect for the forthcoming seasons. Other notable performances include the Colts Pair of Sam Strauss & Fergus Thomson reaching the semi-final of the U16 Boys Doubles, Lila Hue Williams and Liv Holroyd reached the U16 Girls Final, losing 1-3 to Cheltenham, and Seb Edwards who reached the semi-final of the boys U15 singles. In addition to the regular fixtures and two weeks at the end of each term at Queen’s, Wellington College Rackets Club enjoyed two extra events in this latest season. In January we hosted the Professional Singles over an extremely enjoyable weekend which saw Ben Cawston beat Ben Bomford in a high-quality final. One week later saw the inaugural OW Rackets Weekend. Every decade from the 1970s to the 2020s was represented, and in a thrilling final Adam Dewes and Lewis Symonds beat Nick Hopcroft and Noel Brett 18-17 in the third for a 2-1 win to delight the packed gallery. Analysis of the final point lasted well into the evening!

Photos: Top Left: Robin Geffen Cup Middlewinners.Left:U16 Girls Doubles finalists, lila & Liv Above: Lewis Symonds & Adam Dewes with the OW Doubles Cup Left: Wellington v Cheltenham, October 2021, Queen’s Club

Club ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

All the ladies are regulars at the Sunday Ladies sessions.

By120Ben

Bomford

‘A Queen’s Sweep at the Ladies Doubles (at Malvern)’

t’s been fantastic to see Queen’s back up to full strength post pandemic. Queen’s hosted the Mens Doubles World Champs and Ladies Singles. Lea Van Der Zwalmen beat Cesca Sweet in the Ladies Singles World Championships. Tom Billings and Richard Owen brought home the World Championship Doubles Title beating James Stout and Jonathan Larken. The Ladies section has gone from strength to strength with regular Sunday sessions which are open to non members. We have seen tennis, Real Tennis and squash players convert to Rackets which has been very positive. We had seven ladies in the Spring Handicap weekend and many Queen’s members representing in the various national competitions, as reported by the T&RA. Queen’s also hosted a mixed doubles tournament around the Ladies World Championships which was well supported. There is no doubt this will continue to grow.

The Queen’s ClubThe Queen’s Club Rackets

(Left to right - Georgie Willis, Cesca Sweet, Tara Lumley, India Deakin, Izzy Candy, Izzy Hunt)

Finals day was well supported across all four sports although, as ever, the Rackets Gallery was the most vocal. In the mens singles, Mike Bailey beat Rory Giddins. Richard Owen & Will Morse beat James Coyne & Alastair Gourlay. Ladies Singles saw Tara Lumley beat Georgie Willis. Jamie Burnett had a great season winning the Handicap Singles beating Simon Robert-Tissot. Jamie paired up with Julius Manton-Jones who overcame Simon Robert-Tissot and Charlie Horrell to win the handicap doubles. Monday night legends James Marshall and Henry Knox took home the highly coveted Parker Vase. We have introduced an U28(ish) club night on Wed/Thurs in addition to a mixed doubles club night. The Ladies sessions on Sundays are open to non members and beginners are more than welcome. Please contact Ben Bomford on ben.bomford@queensclub.co.uk or 0207 386 3405 for more details.

Wykeham Monday ClubWykeham Monday Club

Rackets Club ReportsAnnual Report 2021/22

By Ollie Gibbon (captain)

However, our most exciting pair were our Senior Colts in which Bertie Vallat (F) and Henry Nicholls (A) enjoyed a faultless season, winning every school match decisively, both home and away.

In December, during the National Schools Singles at Queen’s, Winchester managed to win two of the four cups. Bertie Vallat sailed through the Incledon-Webber (Under 16) tournament without the loss of a single game, an It was with great excitement that we gathered at the Winchester courts on 13th September 2021 for the first time since covid had brought Rackets in the UK to a grinding halt almost exactly 18 months previously. Our racquets were dusty and our Rackets was rusty but it was great to be back and I would like to thank Tim Cawston and the College authorities for making our return to the court possible. To commemorate this small step back to normality, in early December Nick Hubbard very kindly hosted a pre-Christmas dinner in his barn for around 25 current and former Wykeham Monday players. Thank you Nick for a super evening, greatly enjoyed by all present. The Winchester tournament took place in March and once again we were delighted to welcome not only players from around the UK - including Marlborough, St Paul's, Clifton and Wellington - but also from the USA! Despite ongoing travel restrictions Manny Tancer yet again made the trip from Detroit to grace us with his presence and it was fitting that after a group stage and three rounds of knock-out, Manny and his partner Adam Kula-Przezwanski emerged as the winners, beating Peter Atkinson and Valla Scott-Geddes in the final. I am grateful to everyone for helping to keep a challenging schedule to time, for marking without being asked and for making the tournament dinner such a pleasure. Colin Astridge and Tim Cawston deserve special thanks for the hard work behind the scenes without which the day simply would not happen. We look forward to next season.

By Neale Turner impressive achievement. In addition, Archie Sillars battled his way through his field of 72 competitors and came away with the Renny Cup (one of the two senior trophies). Both Henry Nicholls and Jack Bristowe had also done well reaching the quarter finals in their respective events. In the Doubles at Queen’s at Easter, Archie and I fought hard but lost to an accomplished Eton pair although we both felt we had presented our best. The Eric Angus trophy (under 16) was unsurprisingly brought home by Bertie and Henry who, as a pair, never really looked like any other result were possible. They should prove a powerful force in the seasons ahead. The courts saw a lot of activity this season with all years coming to the courts in high numbers. Our new intake shows promise and, with more court time, should develop into exciting prospects. With covid restrictions being eased over 2022, Winchester has also been able to go back to hosting evening sessions for local Rackets players outside the College, allowing many to continue playing Rackets beyond school. Some boys have also been getting involved with these sessions, enjoying the new competition and humour that is brought to the court.

WinchesterWinchester

121 Happily, things appeared back to normal after an eighteen month absence of matches. Archie Sillars (A) and I - Ollie Gibbon (I) - had the privilege of forming the Prince's Pair and we managed to win most school matches during the season, including a tightly fought contest against Harrow at home. In the reverse fixture on their impressive, newly refurbished court, we only just failed to come away with the victory after taking the match to the set in the final game. During the season, other pairs enjoyed some successes including the Junior Colts pair in which Jack Bristowe (A) teamed up with differing partners and with Rupert Balmain (K), managed a convincing win against Eton.

Geoffrey won an epic battle six games to five at the Queen's Club in April 1954. He went on to hold off four challenges, two from James Leonard and two from Charles Swallow.

In 1971, aged forty-four, he finally resigned the world championship after a record reign of seventeen years, a tremendous achievement amid fierce competition from many younger players.

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Though he was beginning to fail physically, and was no longer able to play golf or be on his feet for too long, he was still as sharp as a pin mentally, and many reported that it was a privilege to listen to his recollections of his illustrious career as one of Britain's greatest ever racquet sport

sends its condolences to his son, Nick, and his daughter, Lucinda, and their respective families, including Geoffrey’s seven grandchildren.

Obituaries

Geoffrey Atkins learnt to play his Rackets at Rugby. He had won the British Amateur singles in 1952 and 1953 and also held the American and Canadian Amateur singles titles when he challenged Jim Dear for the World and British Open Championships.

Theplayers.T&RA

As well as being a true legend of Rackets, it should be remembered that in the year before he moved on business to Chicago, he beat every leading British amateur at squash at some stage in that season. And he was no slouch at Real Tennis either, three times winning the Amateur Championship, and that tally would have been very much higher if he had been based in the UK, rather than in USA.

Annual Report 2021/22

Geoffrey Atkins (November 2021)

Five years ago, Seacourt gave a special Dinner at the Club to celebrate Geoffrey's 90th birthday and to mark him being elected an Honorary Life Member of Seacourt.

Farewell to Geoffrey Atkins, Rackets World Champion 1954-1971

The T&RA were greatly saddened to hear the news that one of its greats, former Rackets World Champion Geoffrey Atkins, passed away on Saturday 6th November A Great World Champion

Geoffrey is generally credited as being one of the three greatest champions of post-war Rackets, along with James Male and James Stout. 50 to 60 years ago, when Geoffrey was World Champion for a record 17 years, the game of Rackets was very different from 21st Century Rackets. The style of play of Geoffrey, Charles Swallow and James Leonard was as contrasted to that of James Male, Harry Foster, James Stout and Tom Billings as the play of Rod Laver was to that of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. The Rackets ball was appreciably slower in Geoffrey's day, nylon was only replacing natural gut towards the latter part of Geoffrey's career, and the Grays racquets did not have the in-built reinforcement that nowadays allow the frames to be strung to hugely higher tensions. So the emphasis was much more on how consistently and accurately the ball was hit, rather than how hard it could be hit. Geoffrey's court coverage was seemingly effortless, his footwork absolutely impeccable and his ability to get the ball back to a length was magical. Given just half a chance he would put the ball away with consummate efficiency, not with crushing speed, but guided elegantly to where his opponent was unable to reach it, or, if he managed to get there, was forced into errors. Although an amateur, his commitment to practice and fitness was as 'professional' as any modern player, and it was legendary that at the end of even the most demanding matches, Geoffrey was so fit, and moved so smoothly, that he appeared as though he had only been out for a gentle jog, without a hair out of place and hardly a bead of sweat to be seen! He was probably not as effective a server as James Leonard, nor did he have the power on his kills of Charles Swallow, but these two great Open Champions were not able to wrest the World Title from Geoffrey in either of the Challenges they each made.

“To hear Geoffrey knocking up on his own before a match could indeed be a chilling experience – to hear through the back wall his superb ball control on the court, on his own, at first 5 yards from the front wall, then 10, always keeping it in play, deadly composed with metronomic regularity, was truly nerve-wracking. This ability to terrorise one orally belied his nature as a human being: always kind, always decent.”

Geoffrey’s advice to William Surtees: “In World Championships, every point matters. Play each one as if it was Match Point.” And he did, with laser concentration and the most beautiful balanced volleying.

Howard Angus, himself World Champion of Tennis and Rackets, observed poignantly to me, “One word encapsulates Geoffrey: ‘CONTROL’ – it was phenomenal and the ball often moving at well over 100 mph and at obtuse angles. I tried to concentrate on doing ‘An Atkins’, i.e. put the ball away where the opponent isn’t.” He was the ultimate ‘Master’ and so elegant in his execution with consummate efficiency. Although an ‘Amateur’, his commitment to practice and fitness was as professional as any modern player in the mould of Male or Billings, or earlier those Titans Prenn and Boone. However, there was a further chilling dimension to his preparation as evidenced to me by Charles Swallow, one of his two brilliant but unsuccessful challengers in the 1960s.

Geoffrey Atkins… we shall not see his like again! How blessed we are who witnessed him in action. He is widely regarded as one of, if not the, greatest Rackets players ever, having held the World Rackets Championship title for an extraordinary, indeed unique, 18 years (1954-1971), before retiring, undefeated. He was a majestic mover, a gliding Njinksy of the Rackets Court, exceptional eye/ hand ball co-ordination and yet amazingly rarely came off the court with a hair out of place or a bead of sweat on his face. A true athlete and, for insurance, he kept a small comb in his pocket. In all, an elevating phenomenon. And, it wasn’t just Rackets. He was an excellent squash player, representing England twice. He also won the British Amateur Real Tennis Singles Championships title three times and, in the opinion of William Surtees, himself World Champion, could well have won the World Tennis Championships from Johnson or Knox if time had allowed.

123 Obituaries Memorial Service Address by David Norman St Mary’s, Hayling Island – 10th December 2021

Annual Report 2021/22

Let me leave you with a revealing vignette given to me by Roddy Bloomfield, author and first Open Foster Cup Champion 1954: “In the 1960s, the celebrated Dan Maskell, England’s first Junior Professional Rackets Champion and then British Professional Lawn Tennis multiple Champion and winning Davis Cup Coach of the 1930s with Fred Perry (and BBC Commentator “Oh I say…” on the Borg/McEnroe 1980 most famous 18/16 tie-breaker), Dan was at Queen’s Club with the Davis Cup Squad and he entered the Rackets Gallery and saw Geoffrey playing – he quickly summoned the Davis Cup players from the adjacent Tennis Courts, declaring “You must watch this man Atkins – he is the most perfectly balanced player at any ballgame sport I’ve ever seen. Watch him and learn.”

In conclusion, I would like to suggest to you that Geoffrey Atkins was actually the quintessence, indeed the fusion, of Rod Laver and Roger Federer of lawn tennis fame; he was their forerunner in the 1960s in the world’s fastest, most exhilarating racquet and ball game. In addition to which Geoffrey was always the paragon of sportsmanship and behaviour in victory (frequent) and defeat (rare indeed) on and off the court. Some beacon! His ‘Mantra’ for victory in the Rackets Court, learned I suspect from Jim Dear… ‘Let the Ball hit the Racket, NOT the Racket hit the Ball’. I will not see his like again. It was near perfection, to be cherished forever.

124

In January 1990 Murray damaged a sciatic nerve, playing in a match at Hatfield, which put him out of action for about a year, but in 1994, at the age of 61, he climbed to second place on the RTC club ladder.

It was Murray's job in those days to produce and send out the Club newsletter. It took him several days to handaddress all those envelopes and then lick 'n' stick the stamps, even with help from the family. After a couple of years, two kind fellow committee members, Michael

Royal Tennis Court Tony Negretti, as mentioned above, recruited Murray to join RTC in 1958, when he was captain of the Oxford team.

Murray Glover (November 2021)

Annual Report 2021/22

Oxford After completing his National Service, Murray went up to Oxford in 1954. He had hoped to continue playing Rackets, but, since Oxford did not have its own court, took up the sister game, Real Tennis, at the historic court opposite Merton College. In those days there was no resident professional to teach students how to play; so one just picked the game up from opponents. The Rackets professional from Radley, Ronnie Lay, would mend broken strings, but apart from that, players were on their own, having to clean the court regularly - sweeping damp tealeaves over the floor with a very wide broom, and walking perilously round the inclined penthouse to brush the dust off. To clean the set of a hundred or so Tennis balls, they would shake them about in a large net with lots of chalk powder. Before long Murray was playing in the University team, and going to away matches in various courts around the country.

Murray’s first away match was against the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court. He lost fairly easily, not least because it was the largest court in the world, and Oxford, the only other one he had played on, was the smallest! In 1956, Murray was a member of the combined Oxford and Cambridge side that contested the very first Van Alen Trophy match against the US Universities at Lords, winning his match as part of the overall victory. In 1958 he captained the Oxford side and, in the autumn of that year, went to New York with the combined Oxford/Cambridge team to defend the Van Alen Trophy, which they did successfully. Murray also played matches against various USA clubs - in Philadelphia, Boston, Long Island and Tuxedo Park. All in all, an amazing Inexperience.1958Murray was recruited by Tony Negretti to join the Royal Tennis Court Club at Hampton Court, of which he was President.

Obituaries

At that time the RTC annual subscription was £1, and for that, you could wear the handsome club tie with its crossed racquets and 15/30 motif. Whenever Tony played in away matches he would always sign up new RTC members. One result of this was that, when Murray was appointed Hon. Secretary of the club in 1973 (after the so-called “Palace Revolution”) there were nearly 1,000 members. This number was reduced to 850 or so, when the full membership subscription was increased to £4, or £1 for “Friend of the Court” status.

Murray Glover, a highly accomplished Tennis player and long-standing member of the Royal Tennis Court and the T&RA, died on November 26 at the age of 88

Around the same time he partnered Mike McMurrugh to win the Combined Services doubles at Queen’s.

In the mid '80s he got to the semi-final of the British Over-50s singles twice, and the final of the doubles once, partnering Tony Crook.

Wellington Old Wellingtonian, Murray Glover, a long-term friend of the T&RA, and a keen Rackets and Real Tennis player has passed away. Murray's father, who had played in India in the army, had hoped his son would play Rackets at Wellington where he went in January 1947. However, to his and Murray’s great disappointment, his stuffy Anglesey tutor at that time, Claud Hughes-Games, would not allow any of his protégés to play the game before the age of 16. By the time Murray started to learn, from the wonderful Ronnie Hawes, his contemporaries were already fine players.

In 1976 he partnered Howard Angus to win the Cockburn Cup, the British Pro-Am championship.

Whilst never in the top rank of amateurs, Murray had a few successes over the years. In the early '80s he captained the RTC team which won the Field Trophy, for the inter-club championship, on several occasions.

Temple Grassi of Chevy Chase, MD and Northeast Harbor, Maine, born December 10, 1946, died peacefully from metastatic melanoma in his Chevy Chase home surrounded by his family on September 17th, at the age of 74

Although Temple retired, he remained a lifelong educator in the art of being a proper sportsman, gentleman, and clubman. An accomplished sportsman, Temple played football, soccer, and lacrosse while at Woodberry Forest. He would eventually become co-captain of the lacrosse team and ultimately bring his skills to UNC where he played for four years. During his summers, when not in Northeast Harbor, Temple was a camper and, later, a counsellor at Camp Kieve in Nobleboro, Maine. His love of Woodberry, UNC, and Kieve had no bounds. Until his last day, he could be found following the football and lacrosse teams for both Woodberry and UNC and singing the second verse of the Kieve Alma Mater loud and clear for all to hear. After moving to New York City, Temple was introduced to what would become his great obsession, court tennis - a game few know, but many love. He met his lovely wife, Eleuthera, and together they moved to Washington D.C., where he began a 15-year quest to build (1946 -2021)

Annual Report 2021/22

“For many years, Murray and I played one another on Sunday mornings on the Rackets court at his alma mater. Despite the fact that he had not played the game since leaving school, he had such a superb eye for the ball that one would have expected to find that he had been playing continuously since that time.”

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Morton and James McNaghten, used to help him with the process. In recent times, Murray helped with the quarterly newsletter “stuffing” sessions admirably organized round the Club dining room table by David Seelig. He was very sad when ill health stopped him attending these convivial occasions from 2011 onwards.

Old Wellingtonian Real Tennis

Temple Grassi

Rupert's verdict, when asked his opinion was “Not a bad drop of Pepsi-Cola, Frank !” There was an icy silence, and within twenty minutes we were all shown the door.

In the 1960s and 70s Murray was also secretary of the Old Wellingtonian Real Tennis Club, and played in its Henry Leaf team. There were regular fixtures at many clubs around England, including Oxford and Cambridge, and weekend fixtures at Manchester. The home fixtures were played at Holyport. The star player back then was Andrew Windham, but there was a good pool of reasonable players to call on, including Hugh Norton, and fine Rackets players such as Colin Haycraft, and Oliver and Philip Case. He remembered Oliver once going on court at Petworth straight from an all-night party in London, while Philip's brilliant improvisations on the piano lit up many a post-match get-together. Other great enthusiasts included the irrepressible Michael Meyer, the greatest ever English translator of Ibsen, who used to play with Sir Ralph Richardson at Lords, and Christopher Malim, whose fingers had been frostbitten on Arctic convoys during WWII. And then there was larger-than-life Rupert Russell-Cobb, who, peering through his pebble-lensed glasses, drove his Mercedes so fast Murray declined lifts to matches thereafter. He even declined more firmly, when he once offered to fly him up to Manchester in his private plane! The OW team enjoyed a memorable weekend at the Paris club, and on the last evening were entertained to dinner, in his Paris house, by Frank Laws-Johnson. As a director of Mercier, Frank had laid on some very special wines, the star of which was a 1938 Chateau Margaux.

He was a graduate of Woodberry Forest in Orange, Virginia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating from UNC, Temple began his teaching career at The Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, moving to the Allen Stevenson School in New York City, and at the Landon School, in Bethesda, Maryland, where he taught for the remaining 22 years of his 32 year career.

a Court Tennis court. Ultimately, Temple was successful and Princes Court opened up in McLean, Virginia. It was then that the nickname was born, “The Ambassador”, as he would continue until his dying day to teach and educate anyone who would listen about his beautiful sport. “The Ambassador” was predeceased by his father, Ettore H.A. “Bud” Grassi and is survived by his mother, Edith Gwathmey Grassi; wife Eleuthera S. Grassi; elder sister, Louise Whitney (Karen); younger brother, Edward Grassi (Judith); daughters Melissa Purcell (Andrew), Charlotte Aukamp, and Helen Vest (Chad); 5 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

David Seelig adds...

Finale After hip problems, Murray finally gave up playing Real Tennis in 2003, but carried on playing table tennis for his local club in the Thames Valley League. A stroke in 2011 put paid to all further sporting activity.

Obituaries

During the 1990s/2000 a new court was opened at The Harbour Club in London (1993), the Tennis Court was restored at Newmarket (1995), a new Tennis court, now the Bristol Real Tennis Club, was built on the games fields of Clifton College (1997), the court at Hyde House near Bridport was restored (1998), two new courts were built at Prested Hall (1999), a new court was built at Middlesex University (2000) and the second court at Cambridge was restored (1999). Adrian always made himself available to those developing and restoring these courts giving them the benefit of his time and advice.

Adrian made an enormous contribution to the expansion of Tennis courts in the 1990s and thereafter and the work he did will help future generations of court developers. He will be greatly missed by the Tennis Community.

most successful career as a schoolmaster. He joined The Oratory School from Brighton College in 1966 and remained on the staff for nearly thirty years. After a spell as a Housemaster he was appointed Headmaster in 1972, a post he held until 1988. He then became Warden and Managing Director of Oratory Construction before finally retiring in 1994.

Adrian Snow (March 2022)

The T&RA are sad to report that Adrian Snow died aged 83 on 30 March 2022. We send our heartfelt condolences to his Adrianfamily.hada

Annual Report

singlemindedly and enthusiastically. He produced the T&RA’s first informative pamphlet called “Building Real Tennis Courts”. The pamphlet became the guide for all court developers and Adrian’s successors have updated it.

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Whilst Headmaster the number of pupils increased and he improved both the School’s academic ambitions and its sporting achievements. In addition, he undertook many developments which he felt were necessary to compete with other schools. The School was undoubtedly more highly regarded at the end of his time as Headmaster than it was when he assumed the role.

Adrian tirelessly toured the country striving to persuade the owners of old courts to restore them and potential developers to build new ones.In the 1999/2000 T&RA

It was during Adrian’s time at The Oratory that David Weston, a keen Tennis player and parent of two boys at the school, introduced Adrian to the game of Tennis at Hardwick Tennis Court. He and David were jointly responsible for negotiating with the Rose family to revive the Court. The roof was repaired, lighting installed and changing room facilities were created. Together they founded The Friends of Hardwick Tennis Court in 1989 with Adrian subsequently becoming Chairman from 1997 to 2009.

, Adrian wrote that he was currently advising twenty potential court developers. For example, he had high hopes of persuading the owners of the courts at Coombe Abbey near Coventry, Hewell Grange near Redditch and Easton Neston to restore them, but in spite of his efforts the courts remained in disrepair. He didn’t confine his efforts to England. He advised the authorities at Troon in Scotland and at Dublin in Eire. Even after retiring as the T&RA’s Tennis Court Development Officer in 2006 Adrian continued to give invaluable advice freely to those developing new Tennis courts, for example at Radley and Wellington Colleges.

Adrian was a highly respected Headmaster. He had a deep understanding of the education required for his pupils. His mantra to his housemasters when becoming Headmaster was “Every pupil must be encouraged to achieve something outside the necessary passes.”

In 1994, the Sports Council gave the T&RA a grant to assist the implementation of their latest Four-Year Plan. One of the Plan’s aims was to increase the number of Tennis Courts and to achieve this aim the T&RA appointed Adrian on a part time basis as the Tennis Court Development Officer responsible for encouraging the development of new courts and the restoration of old courts. Adrian was the perfect choice for this appointment with his passion for the game and his knowledge and expertise acquired whilst masterminding the creation of the Oratory School’s court. He spearheaded a campaign to encourage court restoration and construction

Adrian arranged for The Oratory pupils to be coached at Hardwick and Merton College, Oxford. Encouraged by David he persuaded the School Governors to include a Tennis Court in the new Sports Centre. Adrian masterminded the project and the court was opened in 1989. It was the first Tennis Court to be built in Britain since the court at Seacourt in 1911. The court set the precedent for courts to be lit entirely by artificial light. It also incorporated glass viewing panels which increased spectator capacity and helped to facilitate the televising of the game.

Annual Report 2021/22

The T&RA is sad to announce that Colin Dean died on Friday 8th April. For many years, Colin was Chairman of the T&RA Tennis Committee before his retirement in 2010. He is a long serving member of Hatfield House where his presence will be greatly missed.

Colin was a great sportsman and, following his retirement, a great sports administrator spanning his love of Real Tennis, cricket and golf. He was a stalwart of Old Cholmeleians cricket and well known in Middlesex and MCC cricketing circles. He was an outstanding cricketer (spin bowler) who, while at school in 1951, took 84 wickets in only 16 school 1st XI matches, a record that stands to the current day. He joined, Middlesex CCC and played in their 2s but did not quite make the 1st XI. He captained the OC Cricketer Cup side from their very first match in 1969 through to 1988. He even made it into Wisden following the records he set at Highgate School, and while playing for the MCC. A true gentleman both on and off the field.

Colin Dean (1935 - 2022)

Having served for many years as Chairman of the Tennis Committee, Colin was well known throughout the real tennis fraternity. In 1995, on his 60th birthday, he even had an exhibition match held in his honour at Hatfield House Tennis Club between the then World champion Wayne Davies and Lachie Deuchar. The game at Hatfield House, throughout the UK and across the world has lots to be grateful to Colin for. Most of all his love for the game, the friendships he made, his joviality, his interest in other people and his infectious laugh that everyone remembered. He will be sorely missed!

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Obituaries

Having taken up Real Tennis much later in life, he soon became the over 50s British Amateur Champion. He won numerous titles throughout his Tennis career at Hatfield House Tennis Club as well as nationally. He even won on the world stage in the age group categories.

Annual Report 2021/22

Colin Dean (left), with great friend Howard McMorris

Chris Ennis (1953-2022)

We are saddened to report the death of Francis Hamilton on 22nd April 2022 A talented all-rounder, both academically and with ball and racquet, he represented Winchester College at both squash and tennis. Despite winning the Hampshire junior squash championship, he decided while at Oxford that for him Real Tennis was a more interesting and more subtle game, and he took to it with enthusiasm. But after university his career in banking and consultancy took him to various Latin American countries where there were no courts, and thus he was for a while out of the game. By the late 1980s he was working in Washington DC for the International Finance Corporation. When he was with Haven Pell in Newport, they decided on a game only to find the court fully booked for a tournament. The only available court time was 6am. Nothing daunted, they climbed a chain link fence, retrieved the balls from the professional shop and played for an hour. Francis was immediately hooked again. He then joined a small group to raise money and build a court in Washington. After many setbacks, a court was opened in 1997 and although Francis was by then living in London, he and his wife, Catherine, returned to celebrate the opening.

Francis retired to Melrose in the Scottish Borders, and his thoughts turned to building a court in Edinburgh. With James Ferguson and Angus Crichton-Miller, they had high hopes of building not one, but two courts at the Grange Sports Club. After years of planning, the members (mainly squash) voted against the proposal by just one vote. In 2004, when demolition threatened the Sun Court in Troon, Francis was instrumental in galvanising the Real Tennis community into writing letters of protest. The South Ayrshire Council received over 250 such letters, which together with other objections resulted in permission to demolish being denied. Francis was a most unselfish, gentle man who had time for everyone. Our heartfelt condolences are with Catherine and their children, Antonia, Olivia and Thomas.

Francis Hamilton (1940-2022)

Francis Hamilton (left), with Temple Grassi Chris Ennis was born in 1953 and started his career as a junior at Manchester. After the retirement of George Cooke in 1971, he was appointed assistant professional to Frank Willis. In May 1972, he & Frank won the Open Doubles, beating Charles Swallow & Norwood Cripps 6/4 6/2 5/6 6/0; and in June that year, he went on to win the Browning Cup for young professionals at Seacourt, defeating David Johnson, then of Lord’s, in the final 6/2 6/5 6/3. In 1973 and 1974, he & Frank again reached the final of the Open Doubles, but lost on each occasion to Swallow & Cripps. After Kevin Sheldon left Leamington to pursue a career in banking in 1974, Chris Ennis was appointed as Club professional; and in late 1974, he accompanied a team of Club members on a tour of the United States. In January 1975, he won the United States Professional Championship in Philadelphia, beating Jimmy Dunne in the semi-final 8/2 8/3 and Tom Greevy of Tuxedo in the final, 6/4 6/4 6/2. His finest achievement, however, was in 1975, when he won the Invitation Singles for the Field Trophy, defeating Norwood Cripps in the final 2/6 6/3 5/6 6/5 6/5, after seeing off Derek Barrett, Barry Toates & Howard Angus in previous rounds.

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Obituaries

He was honoured to become Chairman of Jesmond Dene in the 1990s and, as a popular and respected leader, he steered the club through its negotiations for the taking over of the lease of the court building. Our condolences go to Elizabeth, Rupert and Sarah. He will be missed by them and his many friends.

Pictured is Freddie on the right, James Wilson on the left and Freddie’s wife Elizabeth centre. Elizabeth is presenting them with a H’cap doubles trophy in 1997. But after his triumph in the Field Trophy he fell out with the Committee of the Leamington Tennis Court Club and resigned his position as their professional. His last appearance in a major competition was in May 1976, when he played once again in the Open Doubles, this time with Mick Dean as his partner. But after what was described as “a splendid and exhilarating encounter with the fiery Ennis trying to outwit his former master” the pair lost in the final to Frank Willis and David Cull 6/1, 6/5, 4/6, 6/4. Thereafter, apart from one or two brief forays on to the Tennis court, he effectively abandoned the game. He was a powerful stroke-maker and a fierce competitor; and at that time was seen as a potential World Champion. It is ironic that his last bow was on the very court where he started his career.

Geoffrey Heap

Freddie was born in what was Tanganyika, went to Taunton School and read Law at Oxford University where he met his wife Elizabeth. His first sport was hockey at which he proved an accomplished centre-half for the Mid-Surrey club and then St George’s in Newcastle.

ObituariesAnnual Report 2021/22

(2021)

Freddie Such (June 2022)

The Manchester Tennis & Racquet Club was his favourite. He had a mesmerising serve and opponents were never quite sure out of which rotation of the racquet the ball would ultimately emerge. He represented the club and visited other clubs around the country. He also travelled to play around the world, on one occasion, while visiting Sydney Tennis Club, breaking his nose at Sydney Airport while walking through a glass door. He was the only member of the party with hold luggage and his friends made the error of leaving him unattended. His greatest pleasure was, however, a late morning doubles at the club, followed by a convivial lunch and was always the highlight of his week. His regular partners have told me how much they miss his company.

He enjoyed a long career as a Civil Law barrister and in later years used his experience to become an Asylum Judge in London. In the early 1980s he was invited by a friend to take up Real Tennis at Jesmond Dene. After some cajoling (he was perhaps daunted initially by the thought of learning a new game) he took to it enthusiastically. Within a few years he became a familiar figure at tournaments not just in Britain but also in France and Australia.

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Anthony Bacon Fiona Brown Martin Cooper We regret to announce the death of the following members since the last Annual Report Peter Probyn Chris Sampson

Pete's love for his wife and family is his greatest legacy. A devoted husband and father, he was adored by his grandchildren, for whom he always had time. He had integrity, was kind, and valued the simple things in life. Straightforward, with an outgoing, warm, and engaging disposition, Pete had a great sense of humour, was a loyal friend, maintained a positive spirit, and loved life.

Pete had an eerie ability to recall matches, scores, and even individual shots and points from 50 years ago, and had a limitless supply of sports anecdotes.

Pete was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, and his sister, Laura Bostwick. He is survived by his four children, Peter Bostwick III, Catherine Wilson, Lilias Noesen, and Janet Bostwick, and his 11 grandchildren. Pete is survived by his brother, James F.C. Bostwick, and his half-siblings, Sissy Bostwick Armstrong, Charlie Bostwick, and Ricky Bostwick.

While Pete's passion for sports held no bounds, he will be remembered as a true gentleman with impeccable sportsmanship who was modest, engaging, with utmost respect for his competitors, and a perfect role model. He competed with persistent precision, perseverance, and a positive spirit, gracious in either victory or defeat.

Four World Champions - Wayne Davies, James F.C. Bostwick, George H. Bostwick, Jr. & Northrup R. Knox

Obituaries

“Long Island's Pete Bostwick - may be the greatest athlete you've never heard of”.

American Sportsman...

perform at the recent real championsclub event. I am hugely proud of the T&RA IiP initiative and very grateful for the financial and operational support given by so many volunteers and donors. This program will need to run for a decade in my view to rebuild our professional ranks and protect the future of Real Tennis in this country.

Mr DM Norman thanked and was grateful to all attending the meeting.

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Patron HRH The Earl of Wessex KG KCVO ADC

On-line: Giles Stogdon, Howard McMorris, Graham Findley, Nigel Kenyon, Nick Case, Norb Madison, Carl Snitcher, Brian Sharp, Mark Bellis

5. The Chairman’s Report and to adopt the Annual Report for 2020/21 by the passing of Resolution 1 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

c. Turning to Rackets, Tom Billings claimed the vacant world singles title in 2019 and in the last few weeks he and Richard Owen wrestled the world doubles crown back from the USA. Encouragingly the Noel Bruce old boys (or is it now old persons) tournament saw a record entry while the Amateur singles concluded last night with a win for Tom Billings.

6. To adopt the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 by the passing of Resolution 2 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. Mr A C Power reported on the financial status divided into the management of three discrete areas: a. The T&RA has weathered the covid 19 storm well financially. As at year end 2020/21 the T&RA had £2.8 million in funds under management – £2 million in unrestricted funds, £0.6 million in restricted funds and £0.2 million in endowment funds. This represented a rise of 17% in the value of funds over the past year reflecting a rebound in world stock markets after the initial worries about the impact of the pandemic. As a reminder, the unrestricted funds are held to ensure adequate income generation and to provide a firm foundation for future grants; there are seven restricted funds, these funds having been donated for specific purposes e.g. for the training and development of professional coaches. We can only use the income from the endowment fund for development of the games. Total funds on the balance sheet have risen to £2.9 million by the end of the first quarter of this financial year.

a. Mr DK Watson stated that 2020/21 has been an extremely difficult year for many. We suffered the virtual wipe-out of the entire competitive program across both games. No schools’ championship was held for the first time since the war years and for large periods no play was permitted in either game. Despite all this the Maltby Salver winner - Paul Weaver - managed to organise the British junior championships and get significant participation and energy from our youngsters. But sadly, the world championship and the opens were all cancelled or much delayed as were virtually all Amateur inter and intra club events.

b. In terms of the T&RA profit and loss statement, for the year 2020/21 we posted a gain of £76k compared to a loss of £22k the previous year. This primarily was due to delays in the start of the Investing in Professional programme (IiP) and limited grants for court development or refurbishment.

1. Apologies for absence: Alan, Giddins, Alan Lovell, Owen Saunders, Roger Pilgrim, William Maltby, Jonathan Potter, Matthew Pugh, Nigel Mercer, Maggie Henderson-Tew, David Godfray, Clive Picton, Richard Langley, Christopher Johnstone, Mike Hayes, Henry Tudor, Lesley Jowsey, James Male, Marquess of Zetland, Andrew James, Iain Park-Weir, Barry Aitken, Ronald Paterson, Simon Mansfield, Jill Newby

e. The T&RA will play a full part in this but I ask you all for your engagement and help - as players, enthusiasts and alumni to protect and demand a vital future for Rackets in our schools … thank you The President thanked Mr DK Watson for his review and stated there was much to be proud of during his tenure as Chairman. In accordance with Article 32.2.2, the Annual Report of the Company for the 2020/21 season was adopted with alacrity. (Ordinary Resolution 1 in the Notice of Annual General Meeting).

Annual Report 2021/22

Annual General Meeting 2021

d. Finally, however and - whilst not wishing to end on a down note - financial and syllabus pressures in schools make me anything but complacent about the future of Rackets in our schools. Participation at too many schools is low and we are not always able to engage the elite sportspeople that this fantastic game needs. Rugby school - where our new Chair honed his skills - has been without a full-time professional all year although we are working hard behind the scenes and hope to remedy this soon. The worrying age profile of our school professionals demands that we commit similar resources to recruit and train a new generation of Rackets professionals equipped not only to inspire and train young players but also to play the broader role in the schools and communities that the next generation will require.

4. Matters arising from the Minutes There were no matter arising not covered later in the meeting.

Attendees: David Norman (President, in the Chair), David Watson (Chairman), Fred Satow (Chairman elect), Chris Davies (CEO & Secretary), Andrew Power (Treasurer), Chris Vigrass, Rory Sutton, Mark Farmiloe, Charlie Foreman, Katie Leppard, Simon Talbot-Williams, Sue Haswell, John Prenn, Charles Hue Williams, Andrew Myrtle, Howard Angus, Richard Dalzell

Both

2. Notice of the calling of the meeting. The Notice was issued in September 2021 and promulgated to Members along with the Annual Report.

b. Despite all this there is, in my view, much to celebrate. First of all I want to express my thanks and appreciation for the Clubs, Boards Committees and Professionals who put up with a continual change of permissions and rules dictated by our government and their advisors and as a result planned, re-planned scheduled and rescheduled events and games pretty much continuously through the year I also want to commend the creativity and generosity of many of our members who have supported their profesional teams and courts through a prolonged period where income was in short supply - the fact that we emerge with all clubs and employees still fully functioning is a huge tribute to the generosity and commitment of all concerned. Lockdown deprived us of play but happily not for our love of the games - indeed in some respects it liberated time and energy from play on court to allow professionals and amateurs to contribute as volunteers to the IIP program causing training protocols and modules to be completely reworked and rewritten and it’s very pleasing that professionals old and new have taken this opportunity to prove and enhance their skills and achieve full accreditation We are training a new generation of IiP youngsters - many of you will have seen them

The meeting was held in the Centenary House Meeting Room at The Queen’s Club on Wednesday 24th November 2021 at 1800

3. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held via zoom on 25th November 2020 were approved unanimously.

Firstly, to continue the excellent Real Tennis Investing in Professionals programme to recruit and train new professionals to support the game of real tennis, which was instigated by and is principally supported by the T&RA and David Watson, but has also been facilitated by John Whiting, Carl Snitcher and many others, including many professionals. We currently have three young men at Middlesex, Wellington and Cambridge, who are centrally funded and one at Seacourt, who is club funded, who we hope will be leading professionals of the future. We also have at least three candidates coming up behind them and being interviewed as well as a number of clubs keen to recruit and train these aspiring professionals. The programme has also re-energised professional training in Tennis and we also have ten professionals who are in the process of being accredited at IIP level 2*.

Mr M Streets thought the streaming coverage of this year’s British Open from Queens was poor. The feed dropped regularly, the default resolution was low, and there was either no sound, or substantial background noise. There are no titles, so it was impossible to know who was playing, unless you know the professionals personally. Given that this could be an important tool in introducing new players to the sport, what steps will the T&RA take to ensure that there is adequate bandwidth to support the necessary cameras, and ideally the ability to add score captions?

Annual Report 2021/22

13. The Tennis Committee Chairman, Mr C Vigrass, said that key elements are a support of IiP, and a rewrite of RealTennisOnline (RTO), the software which runs the handicap system. The Tennis Committee have also reached out to clubs and found little commonality with their ongoing concerns, although many are eagerly awaiting RTO2. Good to see the return of the games post covid lockdowns.

Mr CS Davies responded that it was this was a sensitive issue and the current policy was to invite those members reaching 70 to retain their subscription at the current level (or even consider becoming Benefactors). However, this was a subject which the Treasurer and Secretary would consider.

REAL TENNIS INVESTING IN PROFESSIONALS

It is envisaged that this programme will operate through the 2020s and beyond to ensure that we have a group of highly trained young professionals to inspire players and enhance the game for the next 100 years.

Mr S Talbot-Williams thought this might encourage youngsters into the game if they saw they were being supported by members of all ages.

My second priority will be to replicate a similar programme for Rackets, where the succession issues are at least as significant and urgent and in some ways the challenges are greater, because Rackets players have less influence with the schools, where most of the courts are. Whilst we are progressing this with the help of Rory Sutton and the Rackets committee, we are seeking to identify a volunteer to lead this programme. So do please step forward if you would like to help. As some of you may know we have recently been helping Rugby School improve their Rackets offering.

The third priority will be to preserve all the courts we have in both Tennis and Rackets, with the help of Simon Talbot–Williams, our Court Development Director. As some of you will know, Simon is currently helping a number of clubs with various However,issues. if the opportunity arises to develop a new Tennis or Rackets court and we have the appropriate resources to do so, we will of course seize the chance to do so. Mr DK Norman then asked the two Games committee Chairmen for their priorities.

Furthermore, the efforts to use the GoPro had yielded 1080p quality streaming, overcoming other technical difficulties. He acknowledged there were issues and had spoken to Ryan Carey and Ben Geytenbeek during the Open (the latter was attending) to discuss alternative strategies. Both agreed that the maximum output had been achieved within the limitations of the QC environment. He planned to gather together experts and discuss an overall concept for Real Tennis, and to evaluate a professional streaming company or other options for 12 months’ time. Given six months’ notice, the cost of the former would be considerably reduced.

16. Any other business Mr DM Norman concluded by acknowledging the contributions of the T&RA core team as it battled through the travails of covid and, together with the Games Committees, had launched many exciting initiatives. He considered the organisation was vibrant and was being rebooted moving forward. The contribution of Mr DK Watson should be acknowledged and it was hoped he would remain closely engaged. The member clubs had stayed focussed and the focus needed to be on schools to ensure their future success. He finished by wishing the incoming chairman the very best for the years ahead.

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12. Mr FC Satow outlined his future priorities as the new Chairman and envisaged that we will have three main priorities over the coming three years:

Mr S Talbot- Williams raised the desire to proactively support rejuvenation of the clubs’ facilities over time.

PRESERVATION OF EXISTING AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COURTS

14. The Rackets Committee Chairman, Mr RD Sutton thought that much had been covered previous. Very encouraged by the current state of school leavers and the growth of the ladies’ game. The next generation of professionals remains a concern and this will be a top priority as the T&RA reaches out into schools over the next 12 or so months.

15. Any questions Ms S Haswell asked as an ageing Member please can I swim against the flow of time and ask whether the Board has

Mr Norb Madison added: Thank you for adding the zoom component to the meeting. I have been a member for over 20 years and this is the first meeting I have been able to attend. As a NARA and Foundation board member, I find this meeting very Withhelpful.no further business the meeting closed at 19.06.

RACKETS INVESTING IN PROFESSIONALS

Mr DK Watson commented that there was now a real expectation that all events would be streamed to raise a wider awareness of the games and that we had fallen short this year for a variety of reasons, including a West London broadband outage on one of the days. Mr C Vigrass thought we needed to look at how this might be better co-ordinated between the clubs, and chairmen were certainly interested. Mr CS Davies had said the cost to stream professionally this year would have been astronomic due to the short notice and the problem that key experts were already deployed elsewhere, and not yet returned from COP26. A specialist had been brought in for a day to make sense of the QC equipment , used for the World Championship in 2018. He had managed to reboot but didn’t think he could supply anything better with limited equipment.

considered increasing the age at which annual subscriptions reduce due to age from 70 to 75 or 80. We are living longer (than when this rule was first brought in) and I'm sure the number of tournament entries from those in this age group grows every year. I suggest 75 then rising at the Boards discretion. This benefit must have been brought in to maintain membership levels for those who had become inactive. 70 is no longer this age.

Our Mission Our mission is to create a sustainable and vibrant future for Real Tennis & Rackets. Enabled by progressive governance and innovation, the T&RA is dedicated to a long future for our games, to match their illustrious history. The T&RA promises to protect & grow the games we love. We believe in the power of our games to engage and entertain. Tennis & Rackets players are the greatest advoactes of the games whether playing or watching. Receive regular E-Newsletter Receive Annual Report Public Liability Insurance Voting Rights T&RA Tournament Eligibility T&RA HandicapOnlinePassportBookingSystem&MatchMonitoring Here are the benefits of becoming a full member: Play We promote the sports to all, organise tournament play, encourage new players from backgroundsallwith an emphasis on the junior game. YOUR ASSOCIATION THE The T&RA is an independent charity, which relies on annual subscriptions, sponsorship, donations and its investments The T&RA is the governing body for the sports of Real Tennis & Rackets and responsible for the promotion, growth and governance of both sports in the UK. The association works specifically to advance amateur sport for the benefit of the public by encouraging participation in both sports. The purpose of the T&RA is to promote and support Play, Places & Professionals: Places We provide grants for court protection & restoration; new court development projects; and protecting the traditions of the games. Professionals We support the next generation professionals;of sustaining the professional game; and work with them to create opportunities.commercial Scan to Join the T&RA ANNUAL REPORT 2022 COVERS.indd 3 05/08/2022 09:31:41

T&RA Annual Report 2021/22

Articles inside

Tennis International Associations

Tennis & Rackets Courts around The World

Tennis Courts UK

The Chairman’s Statement

Benefactor Scheme & List of Benefactors

Court Development

The Chief Executive’s Report

The Treasurer’s Report