Shrewsbury Fives successes celebrated at annual dinner

On Friday 28th April, members of the Shrewsbury School Fives community gathered in KH for the annual Fives dinner.

The dinner provides the club with the opportunity for all players, coaches, parents and Old Salopians to celebrate the successes of the season. 

This season there was much to celebrate. Shrewsbury retained the Richard Barber Cup in January and performed well at the Schools’ National Championships. Shrewsbury were victorious in the U14 Boys' Beginners tournament and there were all-Shrewsbury finals in both the U18 Mixed tournament and U18 Girls' Open. Shrewsbury also reached the Semi-Final of the U15 Boys' competition and were finalists in the U14, U15 & U16 Girls' competitions. 

Speeches were given by coaches of each squad, with awards distributed for the best performers, most committed and most improved players.

On the evening we were joined by Issy Wong (G, 15-20) who spoke to the room about her time playing Fives and her career as a cricketer. She spoke of the influence that Mr Barnard had on her time at school and the role he played in helping her to become the person she is today. At the end of her speech, Issy presented Mr Barnard with the Barnard Bowl, a new tournament that will be competed for by the 5 girls houses from September 2023.

We then took time to remember Jago Ainslie (S, 17-22). Some of Jago’s peers and friends sent in video messages about Jago and the memories they shared with him on the Fives Court. Jago was an integral member of the Shrewsbury School Fives community and to honour his memory, the Fives club have commissioned The Ainslie Award. This will be awarded annually to an individual that embodies the spirit of a Salopian Fives player, someone who has great enthusiasm for the game, always plays fair and with a smile on their face. The inaugural winner of this award was George H (PH, UVI) who was voted for unanimously by coaches and fellow players as someone who was deserving of the award. George, along with fellow captain Rachel E (M, UVI) has led the club with distinction this year and has shown great commitment during his time at school. 

The evening was rounded off by the Captains of Fives (George H & Rachel E) who delivered speeches about their time playing Fives at school before announcing next year’s captains of Fives, which are Jack H (Rb, LVI) and Esther H (EDH, LVI). 

Adam Morris

Master i/c Fives