Devon and Exeter Racketball Introduction
The Devon and Exeter Squash and Racketball Club is a fantastic venue and a beacon for Racketball in the South West. The sport has a fantastic and passionate local following, which helps to make this event extra special. 2021 will be the 8th year that the Series has made a trip to Devon and Exeter.
In the last complete Series before the pandemic The South West Racketball Open at Devon and Exeter was one of the best attended of the Series and saw some fantastic matches.
After a period of dominance from Luke Bishop, who won the South West Racketball Open from 2017-2019, Mike Harris ensured the title stayed in Devon and Exeter by beating Michael Robinson 2/0 in the final. Elsewhere, Natalie Lawrence won a 6th Women's South West title, with Roger Camp and Neville Buckle winning the Over 40's and Over 50's categories respectively.
Devon and Exeter is a fantastic local squash and Racketball centre with a great atmosphere. The club was one of the first centres in the UK to really champion Racketball and has shown just what the sport can do for the revival of a playing community. This is one of the only clubs that have converted a gym back into a squash court due to overwhelming demand.
In 2018 Devon and Exeter organised and ran a Title Unification bout between Squash 57 National Champion Mike Harris and Racketball National Champion Tim Vail. On the night it was 3-1 to Racketball Champion Tim Vail 3-1 in just over 90 minutes of brutal Racketball.
In the last complete Series before the pandemic The South West Racketball Open at Devon and Exeter was one of the best attended of the Series and saw some fantastic matches.
After a period of dominance from Luke Bishop, who won the South West Racketball Open from 2017-2019, Mike Harris ensured the title stayed in Devon and Exeter by beating Michael Robinson 2/0 in the final. Elsewhere, Natalie Lawrence won a 6th Women's South West title, with Roger Camp and Neville Buckle winning the Over 40's and Over 50's categories respectively.
Devon and Exeter is a fantastic local squash and Racketball centre with a great atmosphere. The club was one of the first centres in the UK to really champion Racketball and has shown just what the sport can do for the revival of a playing community. This is one of the only clubs that have converted a gym back into a squash court due to overwhelming demand.
In 2018 Devon and Exeter organised and ran a Title Unification bout between Squash 57 National Champion Mike Harris and Racketball National Champion Tim Vail. On the night it was 3-1 to Racketball Champion Tim Vail 3-1 in just over 90 minutes of brutal Racketball.
online entry through sportyhq
For 2022 UK-Racketball have partnered with SportyHQ to make online entries work even smoother
Follow this link to enter online - https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-10-South-West-of-England-Racketball-Open-10th-September-Devon-and-Exeter
We have created a user guide to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible - follow this link to access online - https://www.uk-racketball.com/series-faqs.html
Follow this link to enter online - https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-10-South-West-of-England-Racketball-Open-10th-September-Devon-and-Exeter
We have created a user guide to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible - follow this link to access online - https://www.uk-racketball.com/series-faqs.html
Main Tournament details
What: South West Racketball Open
When: Saturday 10th September
Where: Devon and Exeter Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: EX4 4PR
Cost: £17.50 (£8.50 for tournament t-shirt, high quality, quick dry, sublimated print)
Closing Date Entries: Friday 3rd of September
Covid Regulations: This event will comply fully with the Covid 19 regulations at the time of competition
For More Information: Email admin@uk-racketball.com or call if your enquiry is urgent call Mark on 07846 067505
When: Saturday 10th September
Where: Devon and Exeter Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: EX4 4PR
Cost: £17.50 (£8.50 for tournament t-shirt, high quality, quick dry, sublimated print)
Closing Date Entries: Friday 3rd of September
Covid Regulations: This event will comply fully with the Covid 19 regulations at the time of competition
For More Information: Email admin@uk-racketball.com or call if your enquiry is urgent call Mark on 07846 067505
South West Racketball Open - Hall of Fame
Grades
t is important to remember that UK-Racketball Series events are designed to be inclusive. Although the A grade does attract the best racketball players in the country the events really are for players of all ages and abilities. We have never had a competitor who felt they were not good enough for an event when they took part.
A Grade – County, national or good club player
B Grade – Regular club player
Women’s – All ages and abilities, these events have a great range of players which makes for a fun and competitive day.
Over 40’s – For players over the age of 40
Over 50’s - For players over the age of 50
Over 60’s – For players over the age of 60
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70
Doubles – limited to 8 pairs, Racketball rules apply, follow this link for more information - http://www.uk-racketball.com/racketball-doubles-rules.html
If you are unsure which category to enter please contact admin@uk-racketball.com or if your enquiry is urgent call Mark on 07846 067505
A Grade – County, national or good club player
B Grade – Regular club player
Women’s – All ages and abilities, these events have a great range of players which makes for a fun and competitive day.
Over 40’s – For players over the age of 40
Over 50’s - For players over the age of 50
Over 60’s – For players over the age of 60
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70
Doubles – limited to 8 pairs, Racketball rules apply, follow this link for more information - http://www.uk-racketball.com/racketball-doubles-rules.html
If you are unsure which category to enter please contact admin@uk-racketball.com or if your enquiry is urgent call Mark on 07846 067505
club Facilities
Being a venue that caters exclusively to squash and racketball, there is a great club atmosphere; a perfect setting for this UK-Racketball Series Event.
The club itself boasts six courts including a championship glass back, with the bar area situated so you can see the court conveniently from your barstool.
Hot food will be served all day long; last year the food was great and was very reasonably priced.
On the day, there is a racket stringing service available and a physiotherapist on hand.
The club itself boasts six courts including a championship glass back, with the bar area situated so you can see the court conveniently from your barstool.
Hot food will be served all day long; last year the food was great and was very reasonably priced.
On the day, there is a racket stringing service available and a physiotherapist on hand.
club Location
The club is easily accessible, being located only a couple of miles away from the M5 motorway.
Devon & Exeter Squash & Racketball club
Prince of Wales Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX4 4PR
01392 436100
Visit the club website for more information: www.devonandexetersquashandracketball.co.uk
Devon & Exeter Squash & Racketball club
Prince of Wales Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX4 4PR
01392 436100
Visit the club website for more information: www.devonandexetersquashandracketball.co.uk
what happened last year . . . SOUTH WEST RACKETBALL OPEN 2021 REport and results
In the third event, of what has been an incredible return to racketball so far this series, we returned to the Devon and Exeter Club for the ninth time for an event which is always greatly contested across all grades. This year was no exception, with upsets to the seedings coming in 50% of the grades.
The A grade saw local hero and reigning national champion, Mike Harris, take the title for the first time without dropping a game. Defending champion Luke Bishop unfortunately had to pull out at the last minute due to injury but hopefully he will return next year to set up an epic match up against Mike for the title and local bragging rights.
In a very strong women’s event we saw National finalist Natalie Lawrence overcome second seed and group B winner Caroline wright in a closely fought 2-0 final. Caroline showed fine form in the group stages not dropping a game to either opponent but Natalies quality was just that little bit better on the day.
The B grade was perhaps the closest event of the weekend with everyone taking games off of everyone. In group A Callum Watts overcame the number 1 seed to go through and face group B winner Charles Black who also overcame the number 2 seed. The final was no exception to the rest of the event and saw a closely fought 2-1 win go the way of Callum.
The Doubles event saw some incredibly entertaining racketball being played from all the pairs in an event which is gaining popularity over the series for both players and spectators. The Defence Academy and Wessex club pairing of Neville Buckle and Mark Burrell took home the title with their match against Paul Dodds and Andy Browne being the match of the event.
In the over 40’s event Natalie Lawrence put in a valiant effort in her second event of the weekend taking games off both the eventual winner and runner up. Not to be outdone though Roger Camp, also in his second event of the weekend, came through undefeated as eventual winner but was given a run for his money against eventual runner up (by one game) James Allingham.
The A grade saw local hero and reigning national champion, Mike Harris, take the title for the first time without dropping a game. Defending champion Luke Bishop unfortunately had to pull out at the last minute due to injury but hopefully he will return next year to set up an epic match up against Mike for the title and local bragging rights.
In a very strong women’s event we saw National finalist Natalie Lawrence overcome second seed and group B winner Caroline wright in a closely fought 2-0 final. Caroline showed fine form in the group stages not dropping a game to either opponent but Natalies quality was just that little bit better on the day.
The B grade was perhaps the closest event of the weekend with everyone taking games off of everyone. In group A Callum Watts overcame the number 1 seed to go through and face group B winner Charles Black who also overcame the number 2 seed. The final was no exception to the rest of the event and saw a closely fought 2-1 win go the way of Callum.
The Doubles event saw some incredibly entertaining racketball being played from all the pairs in an event which is gaining popularity over the series for both players and spectators. The Defence Academy and Wessex club pairing of Neville Buckle and Mark Burrell took home the title with their match against Paul Dodds and Andy Browne being the match of the event.
In the over 40’s event Natalie Lawrence put in a valiant effort in her second event of the weekend taking games off both the eventual winner and runner up. Not to be outdone though Roger Camp, also in his second event of the weekend, came through undefeated as eventual winner but was given a run for his money against eventual runner up (by one game) James Allingham.
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In what was the biggest event of the weekend by far the over 50’s really showed up at the Devon and Exeter Club for the weekend. As a side note it is really great to see such a wide field of players from all over the country coming to play the individual series events and is a testament to the great spirit and fun which is had at these events. This over 50’s event showed exactly that with great matches taking place from the very first group match to the final. Speaking of which, what a final it was!! With Neville Buckle carrying on his fine from to take home his second title of the weekend in a closely fought 2-1 win over home favourite Tim Gillingham.
The over 60’s event was another big event with players coming from all over. An early upset saw Peter Eddy impressively topple the number one seed in a tight 2-1 win to go through from group A to the finals stage. In Group B and C there were more upsets in an incredibly open field With Nick Steep going through from group B and Chris Davey overcoming previous South west racketball champion Tim baker to go through from group C. Chris carried on his impressive group stage performances to take the title in the finals stage winning 2-1 and 2-0, quite the feat considering the amount of matches played!
And finally, in the over 70’s event we saw a few familiar faces showcase some great racketball, but ultimately it was Terry Norman who overcame the two local favourites to claim the title which gains him some important series points in the rankings!
Overall it was a great weekend which saw some fantastic matches throughout. Including a not so miraculous comeback to racketball from Mark, perhaps showing he should stick to running the events from now on. We would like to thank Devon and Exeter Club and all the competitors for showing us why it is such a popular event in the calendar and we can’t wait to return next year for the 10th edition of the South West Racketball open!
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History
2021 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2019 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2018 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2017 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2016 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2015 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2014 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2013 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2012 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2019 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2018 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2017 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2016 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2015 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2014 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2013 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
2012 Results Devon and Exeter Racketball Open
Click here to see the photo's on our Facebook page - remember that you do not need to be a member of Facebook to view and download the photos
Click here for the video's - courtesy of Lawrence Ogden.
Click here for the video's - courtesy of Lawrence Ogden.
