10th OC Rackets Anniversary is World Class!
March 13/14 sees the 10th Anniversary of the Old Cheltonian Rackets weekend: a unique chance to witness a tremendous array of world class players! Each pair will comprise one OC and one non-OC: this year our OC World Champion, Jamie Stout, is able to compete, and as a result the World number 2, and three other top 10 players will be on show. There will be a Black Tie Dinner in the evening to which OC's have been invited.
Since the opening of the court in 1988, Cheltenham College has enjoyed much success at this most challenging of racquet sports. The game which dates from the mid-nineteenth centry, is the fore-runner of squash, and is the fastest racquet sport inthe world. College has one court in which the ball - similar to a golf ball - travels at speeds over 100mph.
The College currently boasts the Senior Singles winner at the Public Schools Competitons held at Queen's Club this year, as well as the National U16 Doubles Champions. Indeed, College has won the National title fourt times in the past 20 years, and has been ranked in the top four of the fifteen rackets playing schools for most of that time. Four College Rackets squads hav also toured North America and Canada over the years - a one-off when it comes to school trips! - and a number of leavers have been invited to spend some of their Gap year assisting as a pro at some of the North Amercian clubs.
The Old Cheltonian Rackets Club is one of the most active Old Boy clubs in the country; keen that OC's participate in each and every National Tournament, Charlie Liverton, Secretary, works tirelessly to enthuse and support each OC, of whatever standard, to 'serve up'.
Play begins this weekend at 9.00am Saturday morning; some exciting quarter-finals will take place later on Saturday afternoon, with the semi-finals and Final of the main competition on Sunday.