London Racketball Open - CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
London Racketball Open 2020 Introduction
With racketball in the North London area growing in popularity, the London Racketball Open is an exciting event on the UK racketball series. Hosted in Bexely Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, this tournament will provide a great opportunity for younger and older players alike from all over the UK to compete for the London Racketball Open Champion crown.
Last year’s event was a competitive affair with Callum Arnott fighting off the competition and overcoming Essex’s Joe Blackmur from 3 match balls down in a spectacular A-Grade final. Callum will be looking to defend his hard-fought title again this year. This years event includes eight different grades including a doubles event for players of all ages and abilities making for an impressive spectacle of racketball.
The London Open is hosted in Bexley Lawn Tennis club. Founded in 1880, Bexley Lawn Tennis Club has an extensive history and is the third oldest lawn tennis club in the world still on its original site. The club has a range of top-class facilities however, including two glass back show courts with spectator viewing and a spacious bar area.
Last year’s event was a competitive affair with Callum Arnott fighting off the competition and overcoming Essex’s Joe Blackmur from 3 match balls down in a spectacular A-Grade final. Callum will be looking to defend his hard-fought title again this year. This years event includes eight different grades including a doubles event for players of all ages and abilities making for an impressive spectacle of racketball.
The London Open is hosted in Bexley Lawn Tennis club. Founded in 1880, Bexley Lawn Tennis Club has an extensive history and is the third oldest lawn tennis club in the world still on its original site. The club has a range of top-class facilities however, including two glass back show courts with spectator viewing and a spacious bar area.
Main Tournament Details
What: Bexley Racketball Open
When: Saturday 8th August
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Cost: £14.00 (£8.50 high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Entries Closing Date: Friday 31st July
More Information: Email Mark Fuller [email protected] or call Mark on 07846 067505
When: Saturday 8th August
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Cost: £14.00 (£8.50 high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Entries Closing Date: Friday 31st July
More Information: Email Mark Fuller [email protected] or call Mark on 07846 067505
London Racketball Open - Hall of Fame
Racketball History in Bexley
Ian Wright, Club Secretary, introduced the game of Squash to the club in 1965 and acted as foreman to build the second court for under £3,000 in 1967. The court fee for 40 minutes was 10p per player. Some ten years later, Ian experimented with some short handled rackets and the core of a tennis ball as an alternative game for dual use of Squash Courts.
Ian wrote a set of rules and a constitution for an association for this new game of Racketball.
On 13th February 1984, in Stourbridge LTC, the British Racketball Association was founded, having adopted Ian’s Rules and Constitution and elected Ian as its first Honorary Secretary.
The Sports Council, on 30th October 1984, officially recognised the British Racketball Association as the Governing Body for the sport. Membership stood at 55 clubs with 239 individual members.
By 1988 the Individual Membership of the British Racketball Association stood at 650 members and a Sports Council survey found there to be 30,000 players in the UK.
In 1998, control of the game passed to England Squash, with Ian Wright, as Vice President of the Governing Body, becoming Chairman of the Racketball Committee.
The game has flourished in the Bexley Club with 72 players in the internal Racketball League and the Club teams, arguably, the best in the South East of England.
Bexley Club Members have won Kent and England Championships
KENT CHAMPIONS:
Rob Lewis and Mark Steeden,
Nick Eagle (Over 35), Ray Jennings (Over 35), Paul Slater (Over 35),
John Prowse and Peter Lewis (Over 55), Ian Wright (Over 65), Nicky Slater (Over 35).
ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
Ian Wright (Over 50, Over 65 and Over 70), Peter Lewis (Over 55),
John Prowse (Over 60), Paul Slater (Over 35).
The club currently has internal squash and racketball leagues and runs 5 squash teams in the North Kent Priory League and a Racketball team in the South East Region Racketball League along with 2 junior teams in the Kent league. Bexley is home to UK-Racketball Series legend and winner of 16 Titles Ted Jeal.
Ian wrote a set of rules and a constitution for an association for this new game of Racketball.
On 13th February 1984, in Stourbridge LTC, the British Racketball Association was founded, having adopted Ian’s Rules and Constitution and elected Ian as its first Honorary Secretary.
The Sports Council, on 30th October 1984, officially recognised the British Racketball Association as the Governing Body for the sport. Membership stood at 55 clubs with 239 individual members.
By 1988 the Individual Membership of the British Racketball Association stood at 650 members and a Sports Council survey found there to be 30,000 players in the UK.
In 1998, control of the game passed to England Squash, with Ian Wright, as Vice President of the Governing Body, becoming Chairman of the Racketball Committee.
The game has flourished in the Bexley Club with 72 players in the internal Racketball League and the Club teams, arguably, the best in the South East of England.
Bexley Club Members have won Kent and England Championships
KENT CHAMPIONS:
Rob Lewis and Mark Steeden,
Nick Eagle (Over 35), Ray Jennings (Over 35), Paul Slater (Over 35),
John Prowse and Peter Lewis (Over 55), Ian Wright (Over 65), Nicky Slater (Over 35).
ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
Ian Wright (Over 50, Over 65 and Over 70), Peter Lewis (Over 55),
John Prowse (Over 60), Paul Slater (Over 35).
The club currently has internal squash and racketball leagues and runs 5 squash teams in the North Kent Priory League and a Racketball team in the South East Region Racketball League along with 2 junior teams in the Kent league. Bexley is home to UK-Racketball Series legend and winner of 16 Titles Ted Jeal.
Grades
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. Players must be female.
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 – Players of all ages and abilities, find a partner and go for it. A reminder of the Racketball Doubles rules can be found here…
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mark Fuller directly on 07846067505 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
If entries to a category are not sufficient grades may be merged, however all participants will always be informed in advance and they will have a choice if they would still like to play.
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. Players must be female.
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 – Players of all ages and abilities, find a partner and go for it. A reminder of the Racketball Doubles rules can be found here…
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mark Fuller directly on 07846067505 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
If entries to a category are not sufficient grades may be merged, however all participants will always be informed in advance and they will have a choice if they would still like to play.
Club Facilities
Bexley Lawn Tennis Squash & Racketball Club has the reputation as one of the premier squash clubs in Kent and the South East Region.It has 5 squash courts with balcony viewing, 2 of these are glass backed championship courts with a seating area. Many professionals use the club to train on a regular basis under the tutelage of Head Coach Ben Ford, this has resulted in the courts being very well maintained. The club also has a lovely bar area situated just away from the squash courts so as to provide easy access but with enough distance to give you an escape from the Racketball if needed! Some very nice coffee shops are also located very close by to the club.
Club Location
Bexley Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
What happened in 2019... London Racketball Open - Results and Report
On Saturday the UK-Racketball Series was back in the birthplace of Racketball Bexley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club for a second year running. This year’s event did not disappoint with a sold out entry list and top players taking part across all of the grades.
In the A Grade no.1 seed Joe Blackmur the victor of The East of England event at the start of the year continued his good run of UK-Racketball form with 2-0 victories over Hannan Tabassum and Adam Beedie in the group stages. In Group B unseeded Callum Arnott from the Isle of Wright started the day well with two solid victories in the group including over local hero Keith Mabey.
Victories in the quarterfinals saw both Maybe and Beedie progress to the semi finals but they were unable to defeat the group winners who were waiting for them. The final proved to be a great match between two inform players. Blackmur took the first game on a tiebreak only to then lose the second comfortably. The third saw both players leading at different times but it was Blackmur who pulled away in the middle to set up a 10/7 lead and three championship balls. Arnotts response was impressive. Not only did he save the match balls but he then went through Blackmur in the tie break, 5 straight points just when it looked like the match was finished and the first title ever for the Isle of Man player!
In the A Grade no.1 seed Joe Blackmur the victor of The East of England event at the start of the year continued his good run of UK-Racketball form with 2-0 victories over Hannan Tabassum and Adam Beedie in the group stages. In Group B unseeded Callum Arnott from the Isle of Wright started the day well with two solid victories in the group including over local hero Keith Mabey.
Victories in the quarterfinals saw both Maybe and Beedie progress to the semi finals but they were unable to defeat the group winners who were waiting for them. The final proved to be a great match between two inform players. Blackmur took the first game on a tiebreak only to then lose the second comfortably. The third saw both players leading at different times but it was Blackmur who pulled away in the middle to set up a 10/7 lead and three championship balls. Arnotts response was impressive. Not only did he save the match balls but he then went through Blackmur in the tie break, 5 straight points just when it looked like the match was finished and the first title ever for the Isle of Man player!
It was a big draw in the B Grade with 14 players. The first of the semi finals saw the winner of Group A Nic Barnes defeating the winner of Group B Chris Peer 2-0. It was two Uxbride players who met in the second Semi Final of the day with Tom Ash the victor of Group C emerging triumphant against David Hurts of Group A. As is often the case in Group A the final was a battle between two runners. By the time of the final both players had won 8 games of Racketball and needed just two more to be crowned champions. In the end it was Barnes who had the legs taking the final 2-0.
Last year at Bexley was the first time that doubles had been run at a UK-Racketball Series event and since then it has built to encompass the whole Series. Two local Bexley pairs progressed through the groups as champions in the doubles. Mark Banfield and Rob Lewis took Grade A with Keith Mabey and Paul Wainwright claiming Group B. Both pairs maintained their good form in the Semi Finals with Banfield/Lewis defeating the Robinson/Cox (who incidentally made a great partnership) and Maybe/Wainwright beating the Tabassum’s 2-0. The final was a great display of Racketball doubles between two experienced pairs.
Last year at Bexley was the first time that doubles had been run at a UK-Racketball Series event and since then it has built to encompass the whole Series. Two local Bexley pairs progressed through the groups as champions in the doubles. Mark Banfield and Rob Lewis took Grade A with Keith Mabey and Paul Wainwright claiming Group B. Both pairs maintained their good form in the Semi Finals with Banfield/Lewis defeating the Robinson/Cox (who incidentally made a great partnership) and Maybe/Wainwright beating the Tabassum’s 2-0. The final was a great display of Racketball doubles between two experienced pairs.
The London Open’s Over 40’s draw was the biggest that category had seen so far this year with players needing to win 4 matches just to make it through the group stages. Michael Wardle came close in Group A defeating both Adam Beedie and Paul Bernard but he came unstuck against Hugo Feitor from Bromley losing 2-1. Feitor was in tern defeated by group winner Paul Woodruff 2-0 in what proved to be the group decider.
Group B’s top seed and inform Spencer Harris had a hard start to the day but rallied with victories over Steven Knight and Nic Barnes but these were too late to proceed through to the final. The group decider as a result was between Kingsood’s Dan Carvosso and Sundridge’s Justin Jardine. On the day it went the way of the Sundrige player who claimed a 2-0 victory. The final was the 5th match of the day for both players and ended with Woodruff victorious.
Due to the late injury and withdrawal of Sukhbinder Bains it was a straight final between Jo Robinson and Lorna West. Lorna West claimed the Over 45’s National Title in Birmingham but this was her first ever UK-Racketball Series event. In a lovely well-spirited game that saw the new comer come through victorious and claim her maiden title. It must be mentioned that this was Robinson’s third event of the day. She was competing in the Over 60’s and made the semi finals of the doubles with Russell Cox.
Group B’s top seed and inform Spencer Harris had a hard start to the day but rallied with victories over Steven Knight and Nic Barnes but these were too late to proceed through to the final. The group decider as a result was between Kingsood’s Dan Carvosso and Sundridge’s Justin Jardine. On the day it went the way of the Sundrige player who claimed a 2-0 victory. The final was the 5th match of the day for both players and ended with Woodruff victorious.
Due to the late injury and withdrawal of Sukhbinder Bains it was a straight final between Jo Robinson and Lorna West. Lorna West claimed the Over 45’s National Title in Birmingham but this was her first ever UK-Racketball Series event. In a lovely well-spirited game that saw the new comer come through victorious and claim her maiden title. It must be mentioned that this was Robinson’s third event of the day. She was competing in the Over 60’s and made the semi finals of the doubles with Russell Cox.
The Over 50’s was once again the biggest draw of the day with 20 players competing in 5 groups each of which had 4 players in. This meant that you almost certainly needed to win 3 matches in the groups to progress, in Groups D and E three victories would only take you as far as the quarters. A late withdrawal from the 2 seed Paul Dodds opened up Group E and saw Nicholas Harrington take the quarterfinals slot. Harrington was joined by Group D’s victor Michael Wardle who defeated local hero Mark Banfield 2-0 in the group decider and local grudge match. Wardle continued his run of good form defeating Harrington 2-0 in the quarterfinals.
The Over 50’s semi finals were as always brutal encounters. The match between Fred Cooke and Rob Hambrook was arguably one of the most competitive and hard fought encounters of the day. Cooke almost thought and talked his was to victory, as ever using all his tricks to break the rhythm and concentration of his opponent but Hambrook maintained his cool and concentration, booking his place in the final 2-1. In the opposite semi Wardle’s run of form ended at the hands of Buckner 2-0. By the time of the final the players had already played 9 matches over the course of the day. A good start was always going to be important and it was the England No.1 Hambrook who made it. Despite fighting hard throughout Buckner did not have enough to see him through. 2-0 to Hambrook and another title to add to the collection.
In a very strong Over 60’s competition both of the top seeds failed to make it through the groups with Gordon Lamb being defeated by Glenn McCelland in Group A and Terry Horne taking Group B away from Jo Robinson. The 60’s final was the longest match of the day. Horne just held on to take the first game 12/10 before an incredible 2nd. Horne had a match ball saved by McCelland to set up another tiebreak. The game then seesawed between game ball for McCelland and match ball for Horne right up until 17/17. With 34 points already played Horne finally pulled away to claim victory. What a final with the Over 60’s once again proving quite how dogged they are in a final!
The London Racketball Open was another busy day for the UK-Racketball Series. Over 120 matches took place over 11 hours of competitive play. A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped to make the day the success that it was. Next in the UK-Racketball Series we head to Leamington Spa for the West of England Racketball Open on the 7th of September, spaces are already filling up fast so enter now to avoid disappointment http://www.uk-racketball.com/e7---west-of-england-racketball-open---7th-september.html
The Over 50’s semi finals were as always brutal encounters. The match between Fred Cooke and Rob Hambrook was arguably one of the most competitive and hard fought encounters of the day. Cooke almost thought and talked his was to victory, as ever using all his tricks to break the rhythm and concentration of his opponent but Hambrook maintained his cool and concentration, booking his place in the final 2-1. In the opposite semi Wardle’s run of form ended at the hands of Buckner 2-0. By the time of the final the players had already played 9 matches over the course of the day. A good start was always going to be important and it was the England No.1 Hambrook who made it. Despite fighting hard throughout Buckner did not have enough to see him through. 2-0 to Hambrook and another title to add to the collection.
In a very strong Over 60’s competition both of the top seeds failed to make it through the groups with Gordon Lamb being defeated by Glenn McCelland in Group A and Terry Horne taking Group B away from Jo Robinson. The 60’s final was the longest match of the day. Horne just held on to take the first game 12/10 before an incredible 2nd. Horne had a match ball saved by McCelland to set up another tiebreak. The game then seesawed between game ball for McCelland and match ball for Horne right up until 17/17. With 34 points already played Horne finally pulled away to claim victory. What a final with the Over 60’s once again proving quite how dogged they are in a final!
The London Racketball Open was another busy day for the UK-Racketball Series. Over 120 matches took place over 11 hours of competitive play. A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped to make the day the success that it was. Next in the UK-Racketball Series we head to Leamington Spa for the West of England Racketball Open on the 7th of September, spaces are already filling up fast so enter now to avoid disappointment http://www.uk-racketball.com/e7---west-of-england-racketball-open---7th-september.html
London Racketball Open Results
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