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olavianfives.comHome of the Old Olavian Fives Club, founded 1928.
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2009/10 Season, by Edward, August 31st 2009
At the AGM held recently, the following were volunteered to run the three league sides:
- Olavians 1 - Howard Wiseman
- Olavians 2 - Seb Cooley
- Olavians 3 - Billy Dennis
The following are named players in Division 1, and may only play in Division 1 this season:
- Olavians 1 - Howard Wiseman, James Toop, Pauli Markkanen, Matt Wiseman
- Olavians 2 - Seb Cooley, Peter Cohen, Rahul Desai, Arun Kalra
the Fixture calendar is available and online. Thanks to Sanjaya for putting it together.
2008/9 Season, by Edward, September 1st 2008
Fixture details for all sides are available in the forum. Updates will be posted here as the season progresses
** The forum has been disabled - please shout if you would like it re-instated **
Tankards 2007, by Edward, October 8th 2007
Tankards will take place on October 13th at the school. Full details in the forum
2007-2008 Season, by Edward, October 1st 2007
The 2007-2008 season has kicked off, with a 3-0 victory for O3 in Division 2 against the Stoics. O2 beat Eton 2-1 without a single game being completed (Eton conceded 2 pairs, Peter Cohen and David Mew were 2-1 down when the lights went out), which sets the return fixture on September 26th up nicely
Tankards is on October 13th at the school
Spoons 2007, by Edward, April 2nd 2007
Spoons Day takes place on Saturday, April 21st 2007. Courts open at 2pm, play starts at 2.30pm sharp.
This year we'll be using the timed-game format again to ensure that everyone gets lots of games. Invitations are being sent out right now, but it is an open event ALL PLAYERS ARE WELCOME. Remember, Spoons is a handicapped tournament so players of all ability can come along!
For more information, or to confirm your attendance, please email spoons2007@olavianfives.com
The final will be played at 5pm, followed by a presentation and dinner at Indigo, Locksbottom.
Club Night, by Edward, October 11th 2006
One of the initiatives I wanted to get going this year was the club night. This is not something we've done for a while, so it might take a few phone calls to get it started, but the idea is to have an Olavians night at the school on the last Tuesday in the month (when it's not half term, another match etc, etc.)
November 28th is the big day
So, free up your diaries and come along for a friendly (yeah, right) night. All welcome, Old Olavians and current schoolboys. Sign up in the forum.
General Ramblings, by Edward, October 11th 2006
The forum hit 1,000 messages (again) today. After a load of messages were lost at the hands of a crack commando team of Ipswichian Computer Hackers (or a random Turkish programmer, you decide) we had the opportuntity for another 1,000th message contest and it was won this time by Pete Cohen.
In other news, Fives Online continues to flourish with the Ladder Results going up. Good to see that the Olavians are heading the pack, and also that a lot of people turned out to play. There's a presentation of www.fivesonline.co.uk next week to explain to club secretaries how it works
Shock news this week is that I received a bill in respect of use of the Westway Courts. While it's good that our very own Mr P is doing his job, it also means that it's about time we sorted out the club's finances. We have a good few years of getting more people out to play, and now need to start some money coming in. The AGM is on its way (no date yet) and this will be a major discussion point then!
Derby Moor Fives, by Edward, September 14th 2006
Not often you find yourself saying this, but here's a great little Fives website. www.derbymoorfives.org. Well written and presented; far more professional than this little outfit, but I'd like to see them model a variance swap (note: that's not a challenge, I don't need the ego bruising!).
Anyway, kudos to our four-walled brethren for a job well done and what looks like a lively club. Can't help notice you're missing a buttress in the middle of the court, but if any Derby Moors are in the area and fancy a knockabout, we're always more than willing.
2006-7 Season, by Edward, September 5th 2006
The 2006/7 season kicks off tomorrow night with a Division 2 clash with the Stoics. 9 entries in the club fixture list in September sees the top 3 sides playing at least once. See the forum for full fixture details.
This year the EFA has launched a new initiative, www.fivesonline.co.uk brainchild of Ed "Have I told anyone about the Ladder" Taylor. Pretty fancy it looks, too, promising to organise your Fives-playing life for you - so long as you don't mind playing at Highgate or Eton.
For those more South East London minded, I'm hoping to have some club nights at St Olave's this year, aiming for the last Tuesday of each month when the courts are not in use. Anyone interested should visit the forum.
UK Fives Courts map, by Edward, May 25th 2006
Sometimes, you get an evening and put into place an idea that springs up. I've written a map showing all the Eton Fives courts in the UK. Rugby Fives courts will be added in pretty soon ...
Secretaries Dinner, by Edward, May 17th 2006
It has to be said that there are some perks to being a Club Captain, and the EFA Secretaries Dinner was one of them. It's a simple formula: invite a bunch of people who care about Fives to Eton, ply them with good food and wine, then ask them how they think we could get more people playing.
Personally, I found it very interesting. As a club, we've just about got the hang of turn school players into "Old Boys" and have got around the problem of University, Gap Years, moving away etc. by keeping in touch with people and making the effort With Spoons and Tankards. While this may seem a simple formula for the majority of clubs who are Old Boy Association based, there are a number of "geographical" (for the want of a better description) clubs who cater for people who have either moved, or just fancy playing Fives and don't live near their school. How should they recruit? How do we know about their existence? How do non-players find out about them?
A report on the suggestions at the dinner is expected and will be made available here. In the meantime, if you have any bright ideas, use the forum.
Service Update, by Edward, April 25th 2006
The forum was hacked yesterday. I have restored to a backup taken in February, so a load of messages have disappeared but your username and password should be ok, unless you created it in the last couple of months.
Any problems, drop me a line directly.
Spoons Day results, by Edward, April 18th 2006
24 players turned out for Spoons on April 8th at the School. Unless anyone can prove otherwise, we're calling it a record. The final was won by James Toop and David Smith (from the school), who beat Paran Sarmah and Peter White. Many thanks to all those who came, particularly those who travelled a long way.
Read the full write up. Pictures courtesy of Dan Hawkins.
Spoons Day details, by Edward, April 2nd 2006
League Update, by Edward, April 2nd 2006
Olavians III finished 2nd in division 2, pipped at the post by a strong Ipswichian side that won the division for the 2nd year in a row. Not bad for a 3rd team ....
League & Kinnaird Update, by Edward, March 20th 2006
Olavians I are league-winners presumptive, with an appeal pending from the Harrovians following a 1-0 victory, with 2 pairs conceded by the Harrovians. The league organisers are to decide on the outcome. Only if we play and lose both the games will we not win the league, so it's looking reasonably hopeful.
Division 2 is looking very tight going into the final games. With all their games played, Olavians III are top of the table but Ipswich with 1 game in hand are only 2 behind. Mill Hill, their opponents for this game, are also within reach and have two games in hand. Six of us made the journey to Ipswich for an epic tussle, coming away with a 2-1 win with two games going to 5 sets. Colin Wilson and Stewart Fautly played a 3 1/2 hour marathon at second pair, relinquishing a 2-0 lead before finally winning the final set.
In the Kinnaird, Howard Wiseman and James Toop reached the final in style, making short work of John Reynolds and Nifio Addy. They meet the Dunbar brothers, whom they beat to win the Northern Championship.
Barber Cup Winners, EFA Trophy Runners Up, by Edward, March 6th 2006
The Barber Cup returns to Orpington, for the third year in a row, as we beat the Salopians 3-0 in the final on a bright day at Eton. James Toop, Seb Cooley, Howard Wiseman, Pauli Markennan, Dan Hawkins and David Mew
won on the day, with contributions in the earlier rounds from Sanjaya Ranasinghe, Peter White, Peter Cohen, Stuart White and Matt Wiseman.
We were beaten in the final of the EFA trophy by a strong Ipswichian team, having fought past the Salopians in the semi-final. Edward Sanderson, Stewart Fautly, Tom Macdonald, Charles Jewkes, Paran Sarmah and Alex Moore contested the semi
and final, with Rahul Desai and Colin Wilson helping to get us there, but unable to play on the day.
Congratulations to all involved on both sides. Having a team in both competitions is no mean feat, and reaching the final of both is a testament to not only the depth of our talent, but also the organisational commitment displayed by those at the club.
Spoons Day Invite, by Edward, February 16th 2006
Spoons Day invites are being sent out this week. If you are still in touch with an Olavian Fives player who would be interested
in coming along and playing or watching, you can download it. We're looking for a record turn out
this year, followed by dinner in a local restaurant.
Spoons Day is on April 8th 2006. 2.30pm at the school.
Risk Assessment, by Edward, February 15th 2006
This just in from Martin Powell
To all Secretaries of Member Clubs of the Eton Fives Association
In this growing world of health & safety, the EFA Board has had to undertake a risk assessment of the game for our insurers in order to obtain the basic civil liability insurance we believe that we need. This is a complex and difficult area of insurance and law but we have come up with a Risk Assessment policy which has been accepted by our insurers.
The policy relies on Cautionary Advice being advertised to players of Eton Fives and a copy of this is attached. This Cautionary Advice identifies risk areas of the game and gives advice on best practise and how to avoid accidents. Obviously, accidents will happen but the aim is to reduce these to the minimum by pointing out to participants areas of the game where care should be taken. This way clubs and the EFA are giving the best advice to their members to ensure their safety
We will publish the Cautionary Advice in the annual report in future so it is there for all our members to see. In addition, all organisers of EFA run events will need to bring the Cautionary Advice to the attention of players at the events they run. All Secretaries whose clubs are affiliated to the Eton Fives Association are made aware that it is their responsibility for this advice to be sent to the members of their clubs.
Club Secretaries should bring the Cautionary Advice to the attention of their members by providing them with a copy of the Advice.
The Eton Fives Association Board has taken professional advice and believes that these steps are necessary. If you have any questions, please contact me.
The document is available here
Trans World Sport, Sunday 12th February 2006, by Edward, February 12th 2006
Fives on TV! Our very own James Toop, Dave Mew, Pete Cohen, and Sanjaya Ranasinghe, amongst others, starred in a section about Fives filmed at the Westway centre. So special was the occasion that Dave even had a shave. Allegedly. Repeated Friday 17th at 4.15am, Channel 4.
Northern Championship, Shrewsbury 4-5 February 2006, by Edward, February 6th 2006
Howard and James won the Northern Championship, beating the Dunbars 3-1 in the final.
Spoons Day 2006, by Edward, January 20th 2006
Spoons Day this year is going to be a bit special. First, we're setting the date in January - it will take place on Saturday April 8th. Second, we're inviting everyone who played Fives at St. Olaves to come along: you don't have to play - come and watch, and catch up with old friends. The day will start at 2pm with Spoons Registration, the first match will start at 2.30pm. The Final will be held at 5pm.
The Fives will be followed by drinks and dinner at a local hostelry.
Mark your diary now and save the date. If you are still in touch with players, please spread the word. Latest update will appear on the forum.
League and Cup update, by Edward, January 20th 2006
With Olavians I suffering a rare loss against the Edwardians, the top of the first division is looking a little tighter than we're used to in recent years. The reduced numbers in the first team are feeling the heat now a couple of injuries are affecting availability. This didn't stop the Barber Cup squad powering through the final with a 3-0 victory against the Etonians.
The Barber Squad was bolstered by EFA stalwarts Peter White and Stuart White who won at third pair, leaving a slightly weakened EFA Trophy side. The Trophy side made the most of a slightly fortunate draw and showed the strength in the squad by winning a semi-final place without losing a set.
With both the EFA semi- and final and the Barber Cup final on March 5th, we're looking for a repeat of last year's double.
Back in the league, Olavians II continue a solid season, claiming a point from Olavians I both home and away and beating the Harrovians 2-1 at home.
Meanwhile, Olavians III are hoping to make a long-awaited re-appearance as League 2 champions this year but need to overcome a jittery mid-season with the last few games.
Check out the forum for the latest updates.
Captain's Rant, by Edward, October 21st 2005
In a week that saw our very own Mr Toop on the sports pages of the Daily Telegraph, the 3rd team won back to back matches in the second division. Inviting controversy by fielding Seb in the starting lineup, we won four pairs on the two nights, the opposition dropping a pair in each. So, why the controversy? Well, a point was raised at the EFA Secretaries Meeting (aka, the annual Wiseman-Sanderson stitch up) that "a player" was fielded in "a 2nd Division match" where the player concerned was perhaps "of too high a standard for that division".
Sour grapes? Who knows, but when the general debate reached the stage of suggesting that anyone who had reached a Kinnaird Quarter Final and had been to Switzerland in the last two years effectively be banned from playing in Division 2, the futility of the situation was realised and a certain Mr Reynolds - himself no stranger to Division 2 - leapt to the defence of the policy of fielding a strong player with a comparatively weaker one. I may also have mentioned that no rules were broken in the selection: the team was selected to give all players as many games as they wanted in their time available (one week in the country, if memory serves). Having fielded Mr Cooley in the same fixture this year, I look forward to a new rule next season.
This year the EFA report hints at the dissatisfaction among other league teams when the 2nd team pulled off an against the odds victory over the 1st team. Was the result fixed to avoid relegation for the 2nd team? Seeing as the 2nd team finished more than 3 points clear of the team at the bottom of the division, and that, by the time the fixture was played, the 1st team were beyond the reach of any other team in the league this should be a moot point, but once again an Olavian-specific rule is introduced - or, more accurately, reinforced - to avoid any suggestion that something underhand may take place.
In an era where new initiatives are introduced in response to the collapse of the club system in Fives, are we being punished for several years of successful recruiting? I can't see how the club structure is collapsing when after 6 games we have fielded 16 different players in our 3rd team, have offered games to a further 5 players and effectively given yet more players to bolster other teams.
Ever get the feeling you're being picked on?
EFA Ladder Tournament, by Edward
It's here! The EFA Ladder Tournament starts this week and is being managed by John Cooley while the all-singing, all-dancing website is completed. Full details just in from JC himself, can be found here, or visit the new website http://www.fivesonline.co.uk.
October update, by Edward
Long live t'interweb. Seriously. The Olavian Fives forum is the best thing since inside out leather on the palms of your Fives gloves. You'd think it was a fairly trivial task to get 6 keen players to an agreed location for a game of Fives, but you'd be surprised how many phone calls it takes.
But now, with t'interweb technology (tm) we have the forum and it's marvellous. I put up a list of games and names and people volunteer to play. Outstanding. Even Howard has created a login (all on his own, I believe) but hasn't yet figured out how to post messages.
So far this season, the 2nd team have played 2 in Division 1, winning the first game and coming second in the other. The 3rd team are unbeaten in Division 3 having fielded an eclectic mix of youth and experience.
Club kit is on the way, too. Rugby shirts are going to be ordered in mid-October designed to strike fear in to the hearts of our opponents before the first cut is returned (which tends to be quite a long time in my case). The face of Fives is changing: the Ladder, organised teams, a semi-automated match management tool, a website, a forum, club kit .... next stop the Olympics!
Order your club kit now - see the forum for details.
Welcome to OlavianFives.com
The Olavians Fives club is one of the biggest Fives Clubs in the United Kingodm, probably the world. Membership is mainly comprised of Old Boys from St. Olaves School, Orpington, Kent. Currently boasting around 40 active players, we are also pleased to welcome a number of schoolboy representatives to our side.
Players are encouraged to visit the Forum where the latest match information can be found.