Paul Bowden (1944-2024)

The sad passing of EFA Vice-President, Paul Bowden, at the age of 80, has led to an outpouring of tributes, not just for his major contribution to Eton fives, but for the genuine friendship that he generated to all who had the good fortune to meet him.

Throughout its history, Eton fives has been essentially a school game: the large majority of the courts are in schools and the health of the game depends on its health in these individual schools. Masters in charge in these schools have usually been players or former players, but some notable exceptions stand out. Paul Bowden was one of those. Educated at Plymouth College and University College Oxford, Paul was a talented sportsman, principally hockey and cricket but also golf. After graduating in Modern Foreign Languages, he first taught at Harpenden School for two years before moving to Stowe in 1970, where he found three excellent Eton fives courts but a woeful lack of staff involvement. Without any previous knowledge of the game, he not only made himself into a good player, but he restored Stowe fives to its proper place as a school sport. When he moved to Mill Hill in 1979, he was soon appointed to take over the fives there, on top of his already demanding teaching and coaching programme. The building of three new courts on a new site, although after Paul’s time, was a tribute to his success in putting Eton fives on the map.

In 1989 Paul was appointed Headmaster of Chigwell Junior School and appeared to be lost to Eton fives but, after his retirement from teaching, he attended an EFA reception at the RAC in 2008 and expressed an interest in reviving his participation. Richard Barber, the Chairman, took the first opportunity to have him elected to the board: it was to be an inspired move. Paul became a key member as a Trustee and later as Vice-Chairman.

Paul’s greatest achievements were with schools. He chaired the schools sub-committee for many years up to the onset of his final illness. He assisted Mark Williams with the running of the National Schools' Championships, but he realised that the greatest need was in the schools that were less well supported and where participants were fewer. He developed particular links with Rydal Penrhos in Wales and St Bees in Cumbria, ironically two of the furthest schools from his home in Twickenham. Paul was always happy to travel the long distances to provide on-site support. It would not be an overstatement to suggest that the survival of the game at these schools, and several others, is largely down to him.

In 2022, Paul introduced a three pair inter-school team competition for second-tier schools in the under-15 age group: the Paul Bowden Bowl.

Apart from his years of service to the Association board, Paul assisted greatly with the EFA Charitable Trust. His up-to-date knowledge of the situation on the ground has enabled the EFA to be confident that its resources to help schools have been effectively utilised.

Paul was also fully involved in the public Eton fives courts at the Westway Sports Centre, where he oversaw the EFA's work for a number of years. He managed the coaches who were appointed there and built up there a successful junior club, largely comprising pupils from neighbouring London schools. A healthy number of these are continuing to play the game as adults. In 2016, Paul was awarded a Torch Trust Trophy Award, presented to him by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. This award was set up to recognise and celebrate volunteers in local communities, who have shown outstanding work and dedication to sport and recreational activity. In 2023, Paul also received the EFA's Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to Paul’s many services to the game of Eton fives, friends and colleagues have recalled his many personal qualities. He was someone who was, above all, resolutely committed to all the things that really matter in life: integrity, fair play, straight dealing, generosity of time and spirit, loyalty, friendship, laughter, kindness, selflessness and a gigantic enthusiasm for young people and their encouragement. Few people were larger of heart than Paul and all who knew him have regarded it as a privilege to have been a friend.

Paul's death is an immense loss to the game and our deepest condolences go to his devoted and supportive wife, Penny, and his daughter, Annie.

Gordon Stringer (With acknowledgment to Richard Barber, Dale Vargas, Chris Davies and Gareth Hoskins)