Rugby School Shines at National Schools Rackets Tournament

Rugby School’s Rackets programme continues to thrive, with students representing the School in all six Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the Queen’s Club this season. The growing strength of the programme was matched by the encouragement shown by a loyal cohort of Rugbeians, including Fred Satow (C 70-75) and Oliver Buckley (W 67-71), who head up the Rugbeian Real Tennis Club and were on hand to support the players throughout.

Our students competed with spirit and determination against some of the most formidable names in school Rackets, including Eton, Cheltenham, Wellington, and Winchester College. Among the season’s highlights was Rugby School’s return to the prestigious First Pairs tournament – its first appearance since 2020 – represented by LXX students Albert (Sh) and Jack (C).

The pair impressed throughout the competition, delivering a thrilling 3-1 victory over a more experienced Wellington partnership in a tightly contested quarter-final. Their campaign concluded in the semi-finals with a narrow loss to top seeds St. Paul’s, placing them among the top four schools in the country. This marks the School’s best result in over 30 years – since Richard Carter (Sh 90-95) and Robin Hicks (Sh 90-95) claimed the Public Schools Doubles Championship title for Rugby in 1995.

Both Albert and Jack are a year young in the competition, and their semi-final achievement points to even greater potential next season. As their partnership continues to mature, they will undoubtedly be strong contenders for the national title in 2026.

Another milestone for the programme this year was the introduction of a new Girls’ fixture against Cheltenham College, with plans already in place to expand the calendar further. From next season, Rugby School will face Winchester College in both Boys’ and Girls’ matches, playing all 14 Rackets-playing schools across the country.

This widening fixture list, combined with the strength of individual performances and support from the wider Rugbeian community, bodes well for the continued success of Rackets at Rugby School. We extend our congratulations to all who competed and offer our best wishes to Albert, Jack, and the next generation of players who will carry forward Rugby’s proud Rackets tradition in this historic 155-year-old tournament.