Fab Fives – Alumni Reunion

The John Pretlove (Cribb’s 1951) Fives Courts played host to a fantastic Alleyn’s Alumni Fives Reunion on Saturday, 16 March when we were delighted to open our doors once again to alumni spanning from 1966 to 2023 for a memorable reunion of fives.  

The reunion kicked off with a morning of spirited match play as current pupils took to the courts alongside their predecessors - providing an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with the sport they love and also to serve as valuable training for current students who are gearing up for upcoming national tournaments.  

From nail-biting matches to moments of triumph, alumni reminisced about the bonds forged through their passion for fives. The event was a testament to the lasting impact of the sport on both individuals and the community that surrounds it. 

Among the distinguished alumni in attendance were those who had continued their fives journey beyond Alleyn's. Gwydion Wiseman (Brown’s 2022), representing Oxford Brookes, made waves by reaching the semifinals of the singles at the British Universities Championships. Similarly, Stuart Scott (Brown’s 2022), hailing from Durham, clinched victory in the doubles, showcasing the enduring legacy of Alleyn's fives program. 

We were also delighted to welcome back Hamish Buchanan (Tyson’s 1982). Here he is photographed in front of the court named after him in recognition of his British men’s senior national fives title.  

Another highlight of the day came when Reno Antoniades (Tulley’s 1984), President of the Edward Alleyn Club 2023-24, donned a glove for the first time in 30 years! 

Following an exhilarating morning of gameplay, participants gathered for a well-deserved lunch and a chance to reminisce about the sport. Fives, which has a long tradition at Alleyn’s, is often likened to squash except that it is played with two gloves and a hard ball. The first recorded mention of Alleyn’s fives is in the Edward Alleyn Magazine of December 1905 where a fives match was played against St Olave’s School and plans for a new gymnasium were drawn up which included three fives courts.  

Thank you to alumni who came along to the event with photos from their days playing fives at Alleyn's, including this shot of the 1964 fives teams from Leslie Smith (Dutton's 1966):

We look forward to welcoming alumni back next year for another fantastic Alleyn’s Alumni Fives Reunion!

Here are some more photos from the day:

Flickr album: 2024 Alumni Fives Reunion | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin