It is played over the Michaelmas and Lent terms, culminating in the National Championships held in March. All age groups are represented and Mill Hill has been highly successful over the last few years. The game requires good hand-eye coordination, quick reactions, and agility; it is of considerable benefit to other sports such as hockey and cricket. It is introduced to pupils as young as Year 3 at our prep school, Belmont, and then followed through all the way to Senior Under 18 level with all age groups playing representative matches.
Mill Hill plays on three excellent courts built in 2007 with coaching sessions during games and activities by a professional coach. The school has a strong fixture list with regular matches against schools such as Eton, Harrow, Westminster and Highgate with around 40 fixtures played across the year. A key part of the Fives philosophy is that players wish to continue playing after leaving school; this is aided by strong links with the Old Millhillians Fives club that currently runs teams in both division 1 and 2 of the national league, in 2018 the Old Millhillians won division 1 for the second time in the clubs history.
The 2017-18 season was one of many achievements for Mill Hill. For the first time the there was a full girls team and fixture list, including competing at the national championships, reaching the top 10. The Senior boys 1st pair of Charlie Plummer and Iain Kidd reached the last 8 of the national championships before losing an extremely close match. At the annual national dinner, Charlie was awarded the National Young Player of the Year award by the national association recognising his contribution to school fives and his impressive winning record in the adult national league. The first time a pupil at Mill Hill has ever won this award.
For the full seasons results, please click here.
Find out more about Fives at Mill Hill at the video below:
