Bluebell Wood British Racketball Open - Introduction
The British Racketball Open was a new event to the UK-Racketball Series in 2021, and was an instant success with some of the best names from both Racketball and Squash contesting some highly competitive matches.
Hosted at world renowned squash and tennis club, Hallamshire, the inaugural edition of the tournament included a record number of grades in the hope of becoming the biggest racketball tournament in the world. The British Open took place in Autumn and incorporated a doubles grade for the for the first time in the history of a major racketball event. The tournament attracted players from all over the UK as well as overseas making it a truly global event, and we hope to welcome even more competitors from across the UK and further afield in 2022.
This event could not take place without the support of sponsors The Templand Group, financially supporting the tournament to further promote the charity Bluebell Wood. Bluebell Wood is a charity providing hospice care to children and young adults with serious illnesses. Bluebell wood looks to make the lives of these patients as fulfilling and enjoyable during such tough times for families relying almost entirely on public support to do so.
There will be a competitors and supporters party on the Saturday night in the club bar. More details to follow soon.
Hosted at world renowned squash and tennis club, Hallamshire, the inaugural edition of the tournament included a record number of grades in the hope of becoming the biggest racketball tournament in the world. The British Open took place in Autumn and incorporated a doubles grade for the for the first time in the history of a major racketball event. The tournament attracted players from all over the UK as well as overseas making it a truly global event, and we hope to welcome even more competitors from across the UK and further afield in 2022.
This event could not take place without the support of sponsors The Templand Group, financially supporting the tournament to further promote the charity Bluebell Wood. Bluebell Wood is a charity providing hospice care to children and young adults with serious illnesses. Bluebell wood looks to make the lives of these patients as fulfilling and enjoyable during such tough times for families relying almost entirely on public support to do so.
There will be a competitors and supporters party on the Saturday night in the club bar. More details to follow soon.
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-11-Bluebell-Wood-British-Racketball-Open-7th8th-October-Hallamshire
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-11-Bluebell-Wood-British-Racketball-Open-7th8th-October-Hallamshire
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: British Racketball Open
When: 7th/8th October
Where: Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club
Postcode: S11 8TA
Closing Date: Friday 22nd September (please note that this is two weeks before the event rather than the usual Series events one week)
Cost: £40.00 (includes top quality quick dry sublimated t-shirt)
Cost 2nd Grade (Doubles): £10pp
More Information: Email [email protected] or if your enquiry is urgent call Mike on 07789 394617
When: 7th/8th October
Where: Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club
Postcode: S11 8TA
Closing Date: Friday 22nd September (please note that this is two weeks before the event rather than the usual Series events one week)
Cost: £40.00 (includes top quality quick dry sublimated t-shirt)
Cost 2nd Grade (Doubles): £10pp
More Information: Email [email protected] or if your enquiry is urgent call Mike on 07789 394617
Bluebell Wood - Tournament Charity
Your support helps us care for children and young adults whose lives are sadly just too short, both in their own homes and at our hospice in North Anston.
We believe that every family deserves to make magical memories with their child, whether they have years, months, weeks or days together.
Bluebell Wood is a home from home for families facing the toughest of times, with a comfy lounge and beautiful gardens. We’re always cooking up mouth-watering meals and tasty treats in the kitchen for families. There’s also plenty of fun activities for children to try, including soft play, arts and crafts, music therapy and much more.
While they’re staying with us, children have one of our eight bedrooms. If their family is staying too, then parents have their own room.
Every day, we need to raise £13,325 to keep our doors open, and only around 9% of our funding is from the government. Everything else is paid for by the wonderful work that you do; whether you run, bake or even Brave the Shave.
We received an overall rating of 'Good' in our most recent inspection undertaken by the Care Quality Commission (CQC); and are proud that we received a rating of 'Outstanding' for being a caring service. You can read our full CQC inspection report here.
We believe that every family deserves to make magical memories with their child, whether they have years, months, weeks or days together.
Bluebell Wood is a home from home for families facing the toughest of times, with a comfy lounge and beautiful gardens. We’re always cooking up mouth-watering meals and tasty treats in the kitchen for families. There’s also plenty of fun activities for children to try, including soft play, arts and crafts, music therapy and much more.
While they’re staying with us, children have one of our eight bedrooms. If their family is staying too, then parents have their own room.
Every day, we need to raise £13,325 to keep our doors open, and only around 9% of our funding is from the government. Everything else is paid for by the wonderful work that you do; whether you run, bake or even Brave the Shave.
We received an overall rating of 'Good' in our most recent inspection undertaken by the Care Quality Commission (CQC); and are proud that we received a rating of 'Outstanding' for being a caring service. You can read our full CQC inspection report here.
Grades
Men’s Championship
Men’s B Grade Championship
Men's O35 Championship
Men’s O40 Championship
Men’s O45 Championship
Men’s O50 Championship
Men’s O55 Championship
Men’s O60 Championship
Men’s O65 Championship
Men’s O70 Championship
Men’s O75 Championship
Men's O80 Championship
Women’s Championship
Women’s B Grade Championship
Women’s O35 Championship
Women's O40 Championship
Women’s O45 Championship
Women's O50 Championship
Women’s O55 Championships
Women’s O60 Championship
Women’s O65 Championship
Women’s O70 Championship
Women’s O75 Championship
Women’s O80 Championship
Men’s B Grade Championship
Men's O35 Championship
Men’s O40 Championship
Men’s O45 Championship
Men’s O50 Championship
Men’s O55 Championship
Men’s O60 Championship
Men’s O65 Championship
Men’s O70 Championship
Men’s O75 Championship
Men's O80 Championship
Women’s Championship
Women’s B Grade Championship
Women’s O35 Championship
Women's O40 Championship
Women’s O45 Championship
Women's O50 Championship
Women’s O55 Championships
Women’s O60 Championship
Women’s O65 Championship
Women’s O70 Championship
Women’s O75 Championship
Women’s O80 Championship
Doubles
Open
Women’s
Over 40’s
Over 50’s
Over 60’s
Over 70’s
Mixed
Open
Women’s
Over 40’s
Over 50’s
Over 60’s
Over 70’s
Mixed
You must be eligible to play in the event that you enter. The cut off date for age groups is the weekend of the competition. For example you must be 35 years old or older on 1st day of the competition to be eligible to play in the Over 35’s.
You can play in more than one grade but not more than two. If you do decide to play in two grades be aware that due to the infinite combination of different grade options the schedule will not be based around multiple grades. It is impossible to keep all players participating in multiple grades happy. Some of the players love have a break between matches, others like to have them back to back so that they don't get cold and then have to start again. Some players always want a much bigger break and get some food in the middle. Please be aware that playing in two grades might result in back to back matches or in you only having two hours between matches and not enough time to get proper food. If you decide to participate in two grades you need to be aware that you might have four matches in a day.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike directly on 07789 394617 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
Plate Competitions
We will run a plate competition for all categories. You need to inform the tournament organiser before the event starts if you do not wise to play in the plate. This will need to be done before the draws are done. At the latest straight after the event has closed on the 2nd of October.
You can play in more than one grade but not more than two. If you do decide to play in two grades be aware that due to the infinite combination of different grade options the schedule will not be based around multiple grades. It is impossible to keep all players participating in multiple grades happy. Some of the players love have a break between matches, others like to have them back to back so that they don't get cold and then have to start again. Some players always want a much bigger break and get some food in the middle. Please be aware that playing in two grades might result in back to back matches or in you only having two hours between matches and not enough time to get proper food. If you decide to participate in two grades you need to be aware that you might have four matches in a day.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike directly on 07789 394617 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
Plate Competitions
We will run a plate competition for all categories. You need to inform the tournament organiser before the event starts if you do not wise to play in the plate. This will need to be done before the draws are done. At the latest straight after the event has closed on the 2nd of October.
club facilities
Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club is home of 3-time world squash champion Nick Matthew and 2012 Wimbledon Men's Double Champion Jonny Marray, Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in Sheffield is one of the elite squash and racketball venues. Having co-hosted the British Junior Squash Open, the largest junior squash tournament in the world, Hallamshire will provide a fitting venue for such a sizeable and prestigious event.
The club has first class facilities including nine squash courts, eight outdoor tennis courts and four indoor courts. The club also hosts a modern gym and lovely bar area.
Practice courts are available to book at a cost, please email [email protected]
The bar will be open throughout the day with hot food available.
The club has first class facilities including nine squash courts, eight outdoor tennis courts and four indoor courts. The club also hosts a modern gym and lovely bar area.
Practice courts are available to book at a cost, please email [email protected]
The bar will be open throughout the day with hot food available.
club location
Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club
716 Ecclesall Road
Sheffield
S11 8TA
716 Ecclesall Road
Sheffield
S11 8TA
Prizes and T-Shirts
As part of your £40 entry each competitor will receive a free t-shirt.
Trophies will be given out to the winner and the runner up for each grade.
All British Open Championships winners and runner-up's will receive a trophy and will earn points towards the end of year Series prizes.
Main Grades Cash Prize
The men's and women's main grades will have cash prizes further details will be released soon.
Trophies will be given out to the winner and the runner up for each grade.
All British Open Championships winners and runner-up's will receive a trophy and will earn points towards the end of year Series prizes.
Main Grades Cash Prize
The men's and women's main grades will have cash prizes further details will be released soon.
Series Points
All competitors will win Series points that count towards their overall finishing position for the 2022 Series. This is the case if you win the event or lose in the first round. The number of points that you make is decided by your finishing position.
The top 10 points scores over the course of the Series will receive prizes at the last event of the Series the National Racketball Doubles. Click here for more info on the 2022 Series and prizes - https://www.uk-racketball.com/2021-series-rankings.html
More Information: email Mark Fuller [email protected] or call Mark on 07846 067505
All competitors will win Series points that count towards their overall finishing position for the 2022 Series. This is the case if you win the event or lose in the first round. The number of points that you make is decided by your finishing position.
The top 10 points scores over the course of the Series will receive prizes at the last event of the Series the National Racketball Doubles. Click here for more info on the 2022 Series and prizes - https://www.uk-racketball.com/2021-series-rankings.html
More Information: email Mark Fuller [email protected] or call Mark on 07846 067505
Bluebell Wood British Open Party
Hallamshire and UK-Racketball will be putting on a party on the Saturday night of the competition. More information to follow...
referees
In the UK-Racketball Series all matches are refereed by the player who won the previous match on that court. The feedback on the Series events is that this works really well and therefore the same format will take place in The National Championships.
WINNERS WILL REFEREE THE NEXT MATCH ON THE COURT THEY HAVE JUST PLAYED ON.
If you are playing in multiple grades and have another match following on you will need to find someone who can referee for you. The best thing to do is to explain to your opponent the situation and see if he can help.
If you are unable to referee for any reason and are unable to find someone to help you please contact the desk as soon as you can.
This event will run well with you co-oporation.
WINNERS WILL REFEREE THE NEXT MATCH ON THE COURT THEY HAVE JUST PLAYED ON.
If you are playing in multiple grades and have another match following on you will need to find someone who can referee for you. The best thing to do is to explain to your opponent the situation and see if he can help.
If you are unable to referee for any reason and are unable to find someone to help you please contact the desk as soon as you can.
This event will run well with you co-oporation.
dunlop black balls
The Dunlop double dot ball will be used for all grades. The feedback in the past has been very positive both for the Squash57 and Racketball Nationals.
The Racketball ball is still a contentious issue in the UK with many different areas using different balls however the Dunlop Ball is quite a middle of the road ball so although it might not be ideal for everyone we feel that this is the best ball overall for the event.
The Racketball ball is still a contentious issue in the UK with many different areas using different balls however the Dunlop Ball is quite a middle of the road ball so although it might not be ideal for everyone we feel that this is the best ball overall for the event.
entry list, draws, and schedule release dates
Friday 22nd September – 15 days before the event - Please make a note of this. The British Open will close two weeks before the event. This is different to the normal time frame for UK-Racketball events.
Monday 25th September – 12 days before the event - An entry list will be released on www.uk-racketball.com on the Monday before the event. If you have entered the event then please check on the Monday that your entry has been received and that you are on the list. If you should be on the list but are not then please email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Wednesday 27th September – 10 days before the event – Draws and Schedules will be released on www.uk-racketball.com
Monday 25th September – 12 days before the event - An entry list will be released on www.uk-racketball.com on the Monday before the event. If you have entered the event then please check on the Monday that your entry has been received and that you are on the list. If you should be on the list but are not then please email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Wednesday 27th September – 10 days before the event – Draws and Schedules will be released on www.uk-racketball.com
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR . . .MATTHEW AND TOMLINSON TAKE BRITISH OPEN TITLES!
The second Bluebell Wood British Racketball Open at Hallamshire Squash Club in Sheffield has come to an end with the Men’s and Ladies Open events having two new Champions!
Following up from a successful inaugural event last year, the entry didn’t disappoint this time round, with over 140 competitors ranging from the Open categories through to Men’s O75s. Once again the tournament was run in support of the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice charity, a worthy cause which offers palliative care to children and families with complex needs. Over £3,000 was raised for the charity over the course of the event which is fantastic to see. Thank you to all who played the event and also got involved in the raffle and prize draws at the Saturday night BBQ, all of you have contributed toward this great total.
On to the Racketball then, and as usual there was a great mix of players from the series regulars who came to renew their rivalries with their respective nemeses, to some newcomers who were playing their first UK Racketball event!
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The Women’s Open event had a great draw, featuring the likes of PSA players Millie Tomlinson and Katie Wells lining up to do battle against top seed and current National Champion Amber Marshall. Katie and Amber had a great battle in the semis, with Amber using all of her Racketball experience to take a brilliant 3/2 victory, finishing strong in the 5th, 11/1. In the other half of the draw Millie took down 3/4 seed Charlotte Jagger 3/0 in a clinical performance.
The final was touch and go all the way through, Amber starting well to take the first game 11/7, using her attacking ability with the racketball to good effect. However from the second game onwards Millie’s relentlessly tight straight line hitting started to take hold of the match, and she managed to close out the next three games to take her first British Open (and I believe first UK Racketball event) title!
Following up from a successful inaugural event last year, the entry didn’t disappoint this time round, with over 140 competitors ranging from the Open categories through to Men’s O75s. Once again the tournament was run in support of the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice charity, a worthy cause which offers palliative care to children and families with complex needs. Over £3,000 was raised for the charity over the course of the event which is fantastic to see. Thank you to all who played the event and also got involved in the raffle and prize draws at the Saturday night BBQ, all of you have contributed toward this great total.
On to the Racketball then, and as usual there was a great mix of players from the series regulars who came to renew their rivalries with their respective nemeses, to some newcomers who were playing their first UK Racketball event!
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The Women’s Open event had a great draw, featuring the likes of PSA players Millie Tomlinson and Katie Wells lining up to do battle against top seed and current National Champion Amber Marshall. Katie and Amber had a great battle in the semis, with Amber using all of her Racketball experience to take a brilliant 3/2 victory, finishing strong in the 5th, 11/1. In the other half of the draw Millie took down 3/4 seed Charlotte Jagger 3/0 in a clinical performance.
The final was touch and go all the way through, Amber starting well to take the first game 11/7, using her attacking ability with the racketball to good effect. However from the second game onwards Millie’s relentlessly tight straight line hitting started to take hold of the match, and she managed to close out the next three games to take her first British Open (and I believe first UK Racketball event) title!
The Men’s Open event also featured a high quality lineup, with the two finalists from last year’s event Tim Vail and Nick Matthew having to face competition from the likes of UK Racketball Nationals runner up Luke Bishop, and Warwickshire duo Guy Pearson and Chris Hall, all top players. Hall caused an early upset in the quarter finals as he took out Series regular Bishop in 4 tight games 3/1.
There were then contrasting semi finals on the Sunday, with Vail showing his class taking down Hall 3/0 in quick time, while Matthew and Pearson had a titanic battle on the next court. Pearson’s racketball ball skill and court craft coming up again Matthew’s… well we all know what Nick can do by now! The match went back and forth, with Pearson even having a match ball in the 4th game. Matthew however showed the quality battling and mental strength we have seen from him time and again from his Squash career, and he managed to get through 11/8 in the 5th game.
So this led to a repeat of last year’s final, and with Matthew out for revenge a brilliant spectacle was assured. Indeed, he came out of the blocks best at the start, running up a tight two game lead before Vail managed to reel him back in by winning the 3rd and 4th, the 4th being especially clinical - 11/2. So it came down to one final game to decide this year’s Open Champion, and on his home court Matthew managed to overturn his loss last year, taking the 5th game 11/6 in front of a packed out crowd. A brilliant effort from him considering his marathon semi final and even better to do it against such a class opponent as Vail.
Afterwards Nick said ''it challenges your mental & physical endurance in a completely different way to squash. There are simply no easy rallies available at the highest level but that doesn’t make it just a battle of attrition and there’s an incredible amount of skill involved. I learned so much from playing Guy & Tim; their shot selection, weight of shot & tactics. The best players display many of the same characteristics as squash hitting consistently better length than their opponent & stretching them to all 4 corners of the court with incredible touch.''
There were then contrasting semi finals on the Sunday, with Vail showing his class taking down Hall 3/0 in quick time, while Matthew and Pearson had a titanic battle on the next court. Pearson’s racketball ball skill and court craft coming up again Matthew’s… well we all know what Nick can do by now! The match went back and forth, with Pearson even having a match ball in the 4th game. Matthew however showed the quality battling and mental strength we have seen from him time and again from his Squash career, and he managed to get through 11/8 in the 5th game.
So this led to a repeat of last year’s final, and with Matthew out for revenge a brilliant spectacle was assured. Indeed, he came out of the blocks best at the start, running up a tight two game lead before Vail managed to reel him back in by winning the 3rd and 4th, the 4th being especially clinical - 11/2. So it came down to one final game to decide this year’s Open Champion, and on his home court Matthew managed to overturn his loss last year, taking the 5th game 11/6 in front of a packed out crowd. A brilliant effort from him considering his marathon semi final and even better to do it against such a class opponent as Vail.
Afterwards Nick said ''it challenges your mental & physical endurance in a completely different way to squash. There are simply no easy rallies available at the highest level but that doesn’t make it just a battle of attrition and there’s an incredible amount of skill involved. I learned so much from playing Guy & Tim; their shot selection, weight of shot & tactics. The best players display many of the same characteristics as squash hitting consistently better length than their opponent & stretching them to all 4 corners of the court with incredible touch.''
MASTERS & DOUBLES
MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The Masters categories provided us with the chance to see some great battles between regular rivals, and the playing standard and physical ability through all the age groups was brilliant to see. Chris Hall managing to recover well from his Open semi final loss to take the O35s event without dropping a game. Danny Weights also doing the same in the O40s, though he was pushed hard by Alexis Smith in the final. In the O45s there were upsets all over the place, with 3rd seed Matt Lowery taking out the 2nd seed in the semi, and unseeded Paul Thomas removing 4th and 1st seeds to reach the final too. In a five set tussle Lowery came out the deserving victor!
The O50s saw the inevitable Shropshire battle of the Chris’s, with top seed Morris managing to claw his way back from 0/2 down vs second seed and club playing partner Wase to add this year’s Open title to the National one he won in the summer.
The O55s and O60s saw two large entries and some close games throughout. Jim Muirhead coming through the box system to take the O55’s crown, and UK Racketball series regular and reigning National Champion Patrick Osbourn the O60’s, though he was pushed all the way by second seed Martin Greenslade in the final, coming back from 2/0 to scrape through 11/6 in the 5th game.
Top seeds ruled in the O65s and O70s, with both Stephen Johnson and Ian Graham coming through their draws without dropping a game. In the O75s Martin Day managed to get through the box of 4 players to take the title, having a really close 5 set battle vs James Dubois who ended up taking the runner up spot.
DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Finally in the ever entertaining and chaotic Doubles events, the Open was won by the quality pairing of Jodey Watts and Callum Arnott who took down Paul ‘’Knocker Norton’’ and Daniel Hindmarch in a close 3/1 Final. It was great to see 10 pairs enter the Doubles this year, we hope to see you all in the National Doubles Champs event in December!
In the O60’s Patrick Osborn added to his singles crown with partner John Cordeaux, the pair being unstoppable all weekend as they recorded 3/0 wins across the board. Unfortunately due to injuries and withdrawals there were no Ladies Doubles events this time round, but we will be looking to push them on next year!
The Masters categories provided us with the chance to see some great battles between regular rivals, and the playing standard and physical ability through all the age groups was brilliant to see. Chris Hall managing to recover well from his Open semi final loss to take the O35s event without dropping a game. Danny Weights also doing the same in the O40s, though he was pushed hard by Alexis Smith in the final. In the O45s there were upsets all over the place, with 3rd seed Matt Lowery taking out the 2nd seed in the semi, and unseeded Paul Thomas removing 4th and 1st seeds to reach the final too. In a five set tussle Lowery came out the deserving victor!
The O50s saw the inevitable Shropshire battle of the Chris’s, with top seed Morris managing to claw his way back from 0/2 down vs second seed and club playing partner Wase to add this year’s Open title to the National one he won in the summer.
The O55s and O60s saw two large entries and some close games throughout. Jim Muirhead coming through the box system to take the O55’s crown, and UK Racketball series regular and reigning National Champion Patrick Osbourn the O60’s, though he was pushed all the way by second seed Martin Greenslade in the final, coming back from 2/0 to scrape through 11/6 in the 5th game.
Top seeds ruled in the O65s and O70s, with both Stephen Johnson and Ian Graham coming through their draws without dropping a game. In the O75s Martin Day managed to get through the box of 4 players to take the title, having a really close 5 set battle vs James Dubois who ended up taking the runner up spot.
DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Finally in the ever entertaining and chaotic Doubles events, the Open was won by the quality pairing of Jodey Watts and Callum Arnott who took down Paul ‘’Knocker Norton’’ and Daniel Hindmarch in a close 3/1 Final. It was great to see 10 pairs enter the Doubles this year, we hope to see you all in the National Doubles Champs event in December!
In the O60’s Patrick Osborn added to his singles crown with partner John Cordeaux, the pair being unstoppable all weekend as they recorded 3/0 wins across the board. Unfortunately due to injuries and withdrawals there were no Ladies Doubles events this time round, but we will be looking to push them on next year!
FULL RESULTS, PHOTOS AND MORE
Full results from all the draws and the Plate events can be found on the SportyHQ event webpage:
https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-10-Bluebell-Wood-British-Racketball-Open-16th17th-October-Hallamshire
Tournament Photos can be found on our event Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=UKRacketballSeries&set=a.982386596042228
It was an excellent weekend of matches and a fun Saturday night BBQ and party. A massive thanks must go to Hallamshire and their staff who adapted incredibly well after a fire took place there earlier on in the week. It was a phenomenal turnaround and really appreciated by all who attended! We are looking forward to going bigger and better for next year.
Otherwise, we can't wait for our Saturday 3rd December UK Racketball Series Finals and National Doubles - our 100th UK Racketball event! We will see you in the bar to celebrate our great tour at the Saturday night party! To enter please follow:
https://www.uk-racketball.com/e13---series-finals---national-double---3rd-december.html
Tournament Sponsors
