Squad Trial Event Launched

We’re excited to launch the Winter Squad Championships, British Roundnet’s first tournament built around club squads rather than individual pairs.

It takes place on Saturday 21 November 2026 at the RFC Forest Academy Air Dome, The Forest School, Winnersh (RG41 5JE). It’s indoors, so the weather won’t decide the weekend.

How it works

Clubs enter a squad of 6 to 9 players. Every match is five games: two Open, one Women’s and two Mixed. The first squad to win three games takes the match, so you’ll need the whole squad to win, not just one strong pair.

As this is a trial event, every club will be given at least one Team GB player to act as a player/coach. They’ll help newer clubs and players develop and keep the competition as fun and close as possible.

Why now

82 members responded to our 2027 tournament feedback form, and 80% supported a squad format for the 2027 Majors. This trial lets us test that format properly before we decide. We’ve also heard your feedback on a more northern Major, support for smaller clubs, and growing the women’s game. The handbook sets out what we’re doing on each.

Entry

There are only eight squad places, allocated in order of entry. Your club captain buys one squad ticket on JustGo, and that covers the whole squad.

• Early bird: £120 per squad, until Friday 30 October

• Full price: £150 per squad, from 31 October

• Entries close Friday 13 November, or sooner once all eight places are taken

All players must hold British Roundnet membership by Friday 13 November.

The full rules, schedule and key dates are in the Trial Event Handbook, attached to this article.

We’ll see you in Reading.