Howard Angus MBE, Rackets World Champion from 1973-1975 and Vice-President of the Tennis and Rackets Association:

The reopening day was a joyous occasion! Not only did all those attending have the chance to see the court in its up-graded state with all four walls repaired and repainted, and with expensive repairs to the floor joints and cracks, but the spectators were also treated to five games of scintillating rackets doubles form four of the top players, including Ben Cawston, the current world champion.

See match report from Rugby Rackets Pro Valla Scott- Geddes.

The Exhibition Match players were introduced on court by Rugbeian Charlie Foreman (K 76-80) who has masterminded the fundraising from former Rugbeian Rackets players as a major contribution to the Schools overall costs for the court repairs and installing new state of the art LED lighting. The match was marked by Valla Scott-Geddes and refereed by Rugbeian Louis Winstanley (M 04-09), who heads up the Old Rugbeian Rackets Club.

After the match spectators were grateful to be offered a warming cup of tea (rackets courts can be notoriously chilly places!) in the Lewis Gallery in the old squash court location. The hospitality and warm welcome from the school staff was a credit  to the School and this post-match tea reception was a delightful opportunity for guests to meet up with old friends. Gareth Parker-Jones, Head Master, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Will Nicholl, Paul Gillam and Chris Folker for their crucial work maintaining Rackets at Rugby during the inter-regnum between the retirement of Phil Rosser and the appointment of Valla Scott-Geddes as the new Pro from this past September. The Head Master particularly drew attention to the enthusiasm and ‘buzz’ that Valla has already generated amongst his pupils.

It is sincerely to be hoped that Rugby Rackets is now back on track to once again become a leading force in School Rackets. After all, Rugby is the only school in modern times to have produced three World Champions – David S Milford, Geoffrey Atkins (T 40-45) and Willie Surtees (St 61-65)