On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2024, Rydal Penrhos had the pleasure of hosting the Eton Fives Welsh Invitational Open. It was a weekend filled with thrilling matches, showcasing remarkable talent and sportsmanship.
This prestigious event took place on the school’s Eton Fives courts, the only ones of their kind in Wales. Restored and reopened in 2012, the courts have long been a cherished part of our school’s history and continue to foster a deep appreciation for this unique sport among our pupils.
Organised by the Eton Fives Association, the Welsh Invitational Open brought a diverse array of players and supporters to Rydal Penrhos, including current and former pupils, staff, and some of the top Eton Fives players from across the country.
Among the distinguished Rydal Penrhos alumni and former staff present were Mr Leach, a long-time and much-loved Sports Teacher at Rydal Penrhos, and former Rydal Penrhos Fives Coaches Abs and Aroop Bhattacharya. The pair of coaches played a pivotal role in developing many of our most adept and enthusiastic Fives players in recent years, many of whom returned for the weekend’s activities.
The participation of our current pupils was particularly noteworthy, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for Eton Fives within the school. It was especially heartening to see increased involvement from our young women and girls, who are embracing the sport with great enthusiasm and dedication.
Over the course of the two days, spectators were treated to high standards of Fives, with intense matches that demonstrated the players’ skills and knowledge of the game. On Saturday, Flur and Oliver emerged victorious in the final, defeating Keira and Will Tavernor. Meanwhile, Sunday’s final saw Evalyn and Tom claim the top spot after a hard-fought match against Ceylin and Matty.
Rydal Penrhos is immensely proud to have hosted such a successful event, bringing together members of our school community and top players from across the country. We congratulate all the participants and winners on an excellent weekend of Fives, and look forward to more great Fives action when Founders’ Weekend returns in September.
