Matt Shaw

Matt first took up Fives at St Paul’s School in 2008, winning the National Schools U18 Singles title in his final year. He developed his game at Cambridge University, whose side he captained against Oxford in 2018. During his years at university Matt made a name for himself as a Doubles specialist, winning multiple titles in the British Universities Championships and U25 Championships with fellow Cantabridgians Ed Kay and Ben Beltrami. He also flourished in regional competitions, winning the North West Open Doubles in 2017. Of all the events Matt plays in there’s one he particularly enjoys: coming back for the Cambridge Past versus Present every year and taking on the next generation of Sparrows. And Matt has also derived particular pleasure from his role in producing the Fives Podcast, along with Theo Parker, Sam Russell and Dave Butler, in those months when the coronavirus pandemic put paid to virtually all Fives. [November 2023]