Paul Bowden

25/06/24: It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Paul Bowden last Wednesday at the age of 80.

Paul was one of the great servants of the sport of Eton Fives, devoting vast quantities of time and energy to ensuring the game flourished at school level and at Westway in particular.

Paul's first great contribution to the game came as a Master-in-Charge at Stowe and Mill Hill. Upon retirement, he quickly became a key member of the Eton Fives Association Board, joining in 2009 and serving as Trustee, Vice-Chairman and latterly as Vice-President.

Paul chaired the Schools sub-committee for most of that time and was involved in all aspects of school Fives, assisting Mark Williams with the running of the National Championships as an expert plate organiser and travelling up and down the country visiting Fives-playing schools and providing advice, support and coaching. He was especially passionate about supporting the smaller Fives-playing schools and it is almost impossible to overestimate the importance of his contribution to the health of the game at schools such as Rydal Penrhos and St.Bees among many others.

Paul's other great contribution to the game came in his work at Westway, where he oversaw the EFA's work for a number of years. His extraordinary commitment and dedication to the management of the sport there led to Paul receiving a Torch Trophy Trust Award from HRH Prince Michael of Kent in 2016, awards which were set up in 1963 to recognise and celebrate volunteers in local communities who have shown outstanding work and dedication to sport and recreational activity.

Paul made it clear to his family that he didn't want a funeral; if anyone would like to make a donation in Paul's memory, his family have suggested Parkinson's UK and Diabetes UK as two charities that meant a lot to Paul.

His sad death is a great loss for our game and a full obituary will be published on the EFA website in due course. Our deepest condolences are with Penny and their family.