U16s Shine At Highgate

Charlotta Cooley reports:

08/10/26: On Sunday 4th October, a group of the keenest U16 players in the country congregated at Highgate for the EFA U16 Individual tournament.

The organiser's decision not to do much preparation the day before was vindicated with the inevitable changes to participants on the day, resulting in 22 players from a number of schools taking part, including St Olave's, QEB, Westminster and Ipswich. Pleasingly, the vast majority of them had come independently, showing great enthusiasm and initiative for their own fives careers.

As usual, the tournament consisted of six rounds of one-set matches, with a different partner against a different pair in each round. Only one player remained unbeaten over these rounds, with average score per game deciding the second and third players qualifying directly for the final. There was a three-way tie for the fourth spot, which was decided on a shoot-out of back-court shots into buttress. The runners-up were not left without hope, however, as they made their way into the bronze medal match.

The final was won convincingly, in the end, by an all-Olavian pairing against the mixed pairing of St Olave's and QEB, with the bronze medals also going to St Olave's and QEB, who were triumphant against a Westminster/Olave's combination.

With huge thanks to the players for their excellent attitude both on and off the court over the whole day; and to Billy Bolton and Highgate School for hosting us yet again.