Badminton Magazine

Transcription

Badminton Magazine

ISSUE 31 | APRIL 2007 | PRICE £3.00
MAGAZINE
YONEX
ALL ENGLAND
& NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP
REVIEWS
NATHAN RICE
PROFILE
THE SLEEPING GIANT
INCREASING PARTICIPATION
AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
CONTENTS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
04 ADRIAN CHRISTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
YONEX ALL ENGLAND REVIEW
06 RICHARD EATON REVIEWS THE ALL ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
11 MEMBERS NEWS FROM CHRIS JOHNSON
Front Cover
AN INTERVIEW WITH COLIN JACKSON
Elizabeth Cann, Women’s Singles
National Champion 2007
13 THE FORMER ATHLETE TALKS TO BADMINTON MAGAZINE
CLUBLIFE
BADMINTON ENGLAND
National Badminton Centre,
Milton Keynes, MK8 9LA
Telephone: 01908 268400
Fax: 01908 268412
email: enquiries@badmintonengland.co.uk
14 MILTON KEYNES JUNIOR BADMINTON CLUB
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
15 SUE SUTTON WITH THE LATEST NEWS
Coaching Department
coaching@badmintonengland.co.uk
Development Department
development@badmintonengland.co.uk
Elite Play
eliteplay@badmintonengland.co.uk
Events
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Marketing Department
marketing@badmintonengland.co.uk
Membership Department
membership@badmintonengland.co.uk
Volunteering
volunteering@badmintonengland.co.uk
THE SLEEPING GIANT
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ENGLISH NATIONAL
BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Editorial
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Richard Eaton
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Rachel Pullan
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29 GETTING TO KNOW NATHAN RICE
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35 TOURNAMENT NEWS
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INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP
16 RICHARD EATON ON INCREASING PARTICIPATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
CARLTON COACHING WEEKENDS
19 COACHING AT THE NATIONAL BADMINTON CLUB
ENGLAND V GERMANY
21 A REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL AT THE PRESTON GUILD HALL
22 RICHARD EATON REVIEWS THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
27 YONEX NATIONAL BADMINTON AWARDS 2006 - THE WINNERS
NATHAN RICE PLAYER PROFILE
POST BAG
31 LETTERS AND SNIPPETS
TOURNAMENT ROUND UP
COUNTY ROUND UP
37 REGIONAL NEWS
41 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
internationalSPORTgroupTM makes every
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BADMINTON England.
SCHOOLS & JUNIORS
43 NEWS FROM EMILY WELLER
NATIONAL RANKINGS
44 NATIONAL RANKINGS AT A GLANCE
5 MINUTE BREAK
46 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT BADMINTON, RECYCLING PROJECT...
BADMINTONMAGAZINE April 2007 | 03
www.badmintonengland.co.uk
FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The New Year has begun with tremendous excitement and anticipation as we embark
on delivering the long term vision for badminton in this country. Since coming into post in
September last year, much of my time has been spent looking at the many programmes and
activities undertaken by BADMINTON England, considering how we are equipped to deal with
the exciting opportunities ahead as well as the many challenges we face and discussing many
thoughts and ideas with a vast representation within the game – players, coaches, clubs,
county associations, TV, press, radio, sponsors etc.
It was evident that we must consider ourselves a major sport,
in England and across the globe. We have a strong history of
growth, achievement and delivery and are officially considered
one of the most successful sports in the country as well as one
of the most popular. A recent Government commissioned
survey conducted by MORI confirms our position as the eighth
most popular sport in England and the most popular of all
racket sports.
What became clear very early on, was that if we are to build
on the excellent foundations already in place, we need to have
a very clear focus on where we want to be. And not just in the
few years ahead, but long term.
We have therefore published The 100 Point Plan … A Decade
of Delivery. Our ten Year Plan is a comprehensive overview
of the programmes and activities undertaken by BADMINTON
England, from those playing at grass roots level through to the
international arena, and sets out the structure needed to deliver
SUCCESS. It sets out the aspirations of the game in this country
- for our development, results and standards, and for our major
contribution to the health and well being of society.
The vision is quite simple and is one we must all share; to
ensure badminton in England:
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becomes and is recognised as the World’s No.1 nation by
general consent and evidence of WINNING MEDALS
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continues to INCREASE PARTICIPATION and interest in
the game
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has sound corporate governance and is considered
FIT FOR PURPOSE
04 | BADMINTONMAGAZINE April 2007
To underpin its vision, BADMINTON England has adopted the
following strategic aims on which its operational structure and
delivery mechanism will be built:
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more people playing more often
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consistently achieving world level performance
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greater financial independence
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a network of well managed, forward thinking clubs capable
of contributing to the growth and success of badminton
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greater access to facilities
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more coaches, coaching more often
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the world’s best coaches capable of producing champions
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a competitive structure providing easy access to appropriate
opportunities for players of all levels that supports players
to be the best they can be
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raise the profile and general awareness of the game that
inspires and motivates more people to get involved
As I say, the game in England has enjoyed a great deal of success
recently, particularly in the international arena, but much remains
to be done. We have therefore published 100 CRITICAL SUCCESS
FACTORS, essentially targets felt during the consultation process,
to be the catalyst to drive the sport forward.
These have not been developed in the ivory tower in Milton
Keynes, but are the aspirations shared by a wide representation
of those involved in all levels of the game. Therefore we must
share the responsibility to deliver and be successful. I am
determined to instill a team ethic throughout BADMINTON
England but you are part of that team as well.
We are committed to developing a culture and mindset of
teamwork and SUCCESS across all areas of the game and I look
forward to working with you all to ensure our game continues
to grow and continues to enjoy a successful long term future.
In order to share our vision with you all, I am undertaking a series
of briefings at various venues around the country, the details of
which can be found below.
APRIL
Wednesday 4
London
Sport England, 3rd Floor
Victoria House,
Bloomsbury Square,
London. WC1B 4SE
Thursday 12
North West
Robin Park Arena, Loire
Drive, Wigan WN5 0UH
Wednesday 18 South
Wednesday 25 South
Horsham Arun BC,
Broadbridge Heath
Leisure Centre, RH12 3YS
Stoke Mandeville Stadium
The Lodge, Room 7
Guttmann Road
Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 9PP
All meetings are from 7.00pm for a prompt 7.30pm start.
What a couple of months it has been for truly world class
badminton on display in this country. I hope many of you will
have taken the opportunity to attend the National Championships
at The Velodrome, the England vs. Germany International held at
the Guildhall in Preston, the England vs. Scotland Veterans
International or the Yonex All England Championships at the
NIA in Birmingham for what was the third round of the new
Super Series.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who
supported. We saw record crowds this year in Birmingham and
those that were fortunate to get tickets witnessed what has
been described as the best All England Championships ever.
The standard of play was quite unbelievable and the atmosphere
incredible. When Anthony and Donna walked out for the Mixed
Doubles Final, the crowd almost lifted the roof off of the
National Indoor Arena.
It was a great shame that they couldn’t quite cross the line first,
but they joined all our players in playing their hearts out - I am
very proud of each and every one of them. We have some real
Olympic medal prospects in this country and these
Championships will stand them in good stead as we approach
the Olympic qualifying period.
MAY
Thursday 3
East
The Meadows Community
Centre, 1 St Catherine’s
Road, Cambridge
CB4 3XJ
I would also like to pay a particular tribute to the countless
number volunteers, officials and helpers who work so tirelessly
to make the events run smoothly and successfully. We are very
proud and thankful to you all.
Wednesday 16 East Midlands
The Badminton Centre,
Loughborough University,
Loughborough LE11 3TU
On the subject of major events, we took the opportunity at the
Yonex All England Championships to present to the Executive
Board of the Badminton World Federation our bid to host the
World Badminton Championships in London in 2011.
Wednesday 23 West Midlands
Broadstreet RFC, Ivor
Preece Conference Centre,
Rugby Road, Binley Woods,
Coventry, CV3 2AY
We have put together an impressive bid and look forward to
completing the process in December of this year when we hope
the outcome will result in our success.
Thursday 31
North East
The Parks Leisure Centre,
Howden Road,
North Shields, NE29 6TL
One of the questions I am frequently asked is what are we doing
to get more media coverage for our sport. It is never an easy
question to answer due to the fact that the competition every
sport is up against for column inches and air time is so fierce.
Yorkshire
The Grandstand Suite,
John Charles Centre for
Sport, Middleton Grove,
Leeds LS11 5DJ
JUNE
Wednesday 6
Wednesday 13 South West
WESPORT Offices,
University of West of
England, Cold Harbour
Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY
Thursday 14
Studio 1, The Sports Hall,
Exeter University,
Stocker Road, Exeter
EX4 4QN
South West
* All details are correct at the time of going to press
We are expecting large audiences so if you would like to attend
any of the briefings, can I please ask that you contact my PA,
Pat Mount either on 01908 268400 or via email
patmount@badmintonengland.co.uk to confirm your place.
So it was particularly satisfying to see the coverage we have had
recently. Numerous articles in the national papers as well
regional press, radio interviews with our players and the
extensive TV coverage of the All England. Sky showed the last
three days live together with an extensive highlights programme
the day after the finals. We were also delighted with the
coverage of the Yonex All England Championships and the
England vs. Germany fixture on the BBC.
We would of course like to secure greater levels of media coverage
and it is something we are striving very hard to achieve.
So these are indeed very exciting times for us all and I would like
to thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes
Adrian Christy
Chief Executive
The 100 Point Plan is available to download from
YONEX ALL ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
2007 YONEX ALL ENGLAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s Singles
Lin Dan (CHN) bt Chen Yu (CHN)
21-13, 21-12
Women’s Singles
Xie Xingfang (CHN) bt Pi Hongyan
(FRA) 21-16, 21-13
Men’s Doubles
Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon Heong
(MAS) bt Cai Yun & Fu Haifeng
21-15, 21-18
Women’s Doubles
Wei Yili & Zhang Yawen (CHN) bt
Yang Wei & Zhang Jiewen (CHN)
21-16, 8-21, 24-22
Mixed Doubles
Zheng Bo & Gao Ling (CHN) bt
Anthony Clark & Donna Kellogg (ENG)
16-21, 21-18, 21-14
Think of the great All England images: Morten Frost parallel to the floor
while only eighteen inches above it, Susi Susanti performing the splits while
making a hairpin net shot, Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms with sun-storm
smiles as they take the title.
FLYING BY THE
SEAT OF HIS
PANTS
By Richard Eaton
Badminton Correspondent
for The Times.
Surely Anthony Clark’s triumphant fall on
court two on Saturday afternoon at the
2007 Yonex All England will become a
special kind of trip down memory lane.
Clark tumbled while trying to stay in the
rally at 17-16 in the second game against
the second-seeded Chinese pair, Xie
Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen, and was still
sitting down when the shuttle came
rocketing towards him again. Somehow
he defended himself, and still remained
on the seat of his pants while he blocked
another smash back. This time,
amazingly, the block went for a winner.
It was the highlight of the tournament.
BIRMINGHAM NIA, 7TH - 11TH MARCH 2007
the most improved and brilliantly varied
player in the Mixed Doubles game,
someone whose progress rides nicely
alongside the new optimism about
England’s future.
It can’t be easy for Kellogg to play with
such a mercurial partner. He appears
behind her on one side contriving an
outrageously disguised reverse slice, and
reappears a moment later on the other
side rifling an unexpected angled smash.
It’s like crouching with your back to
a whirling dervish.
But she has developed into a fine allround foil – improved in defence
I always seem to be ready when I am sitting
Anthony Clark
on the floor
‘‘
’’
The din delayed the action for about a
minute and a half. But it was very soon
after the resumption, amidst adrenaline
and euphoria, that Clark and Donna
Kellogg completed a 21-19, 21-17 win
to reach their first All England final.
compared with the world final in
September, improved in her movement,
and sufficiently improved at the net to
risk taking on the great Gao Ling during
a marvellous final which she and Clark
so nearly won.
“I always seem to be ready when I am
sitting on the floor,” said Clark, only
half-joking. “When you are on the floor
you are aware they are smacking it at
you,” he added, suggesting that the
prospect of a shuttlecock buried in your
navel at 200 miles an hour works
wonders for your eyesight.
Maybe she needs to believe more
strongly. “I couldn’t give any more today.
Maybe it wasn’t quite good enough,”
Kellogg said after their 15-21 21-17 21-14
loss to Gao and Zheng Bo. Clark was
more upbeat.
But this was more than just a spectacular
incident. It highlighted Clark as perhaps
In the World Championships final we got
stuffed and that was hard,” he said. “but
this match lasted one and a quarter
hours, it was a great match. I enjoyed
every minute of it - listening to the roar.
It was a great experience. We played
so well.”
There were many differences between
the sixth-seeded English pair and the
new Chinese partnership which thus
remained unbeaten in four tournaments.
The most visible were the effects of
tiredness.
As the Chinese tired they were still able to
defend well and struggle to victory; when
Clark tired, a small decline in his dashing
movement made a big difference in his
ability to attack with the unexpected.
This was a gradual process, but if there
was one moment which significantly
influenced the outcome it was Clark’s
attempted kill at the net 17-16 in the
second game which hit the tape.
Had the home pair reached 18-16 with
a delirious crowd behind them, they
might have reached the finish line.
Instead from 17-17 onwards they suffered
defeat by a thousand strokes and dozens
of long rallies which, exciting though
they were, headed towards an
increasingly predictable outcome.
"Yes, I tired in the second game, but
it was such a long match and they are
such great fighters,” said Clark.
“But now we know we can take it on
to big tournaments, including Beijing." >
The Chinese capital will see the final fling
for Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms,
who remain. In their quarter-final they
came even closer than Clark and Kellogg
to beating Zheng and Gao, though for
the second successive year at the All
England they lost from match point up.
This time though, they departed looking
far from their real selves, often
defending pragmatically, Robertson with
his injured elbow strapped, and Emms
sucked to the back more than usual.
“They are unbeaten, but after this
performance we have to be confident
that when we get back we will be better
than them,” Robertson said, after the
21-17 18-21 23-21 loss.
Other English success was conspicuously
limited. Andrew Smith was beaten 21-11
21-13 by Chen Jin, the second seed from
China. He had prepared long and hard
in Malaysia and it had been a great
distance to come just for that. World
Silver medallists though Clark and
Robert Blair are, they too got a dreadful
first round draw - with Malaysia’s Choong
Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, whom they
had never beaten. They didn’t this time
either, though there were moments
during a 15-21 21-11 21-16 loss when it
seemed they might.
Emms and Kellogg had one tough match
against two Indonesians, Rani Mundiasti
and Endang Nursugianti, which they
survived, and then another against two
more, Vita Marissa and Greysia Polii
(correct Polii), which they didn’t.
England had no Women’s Singles players
in the main draw, but Tracey Hallam had a
match point in the qualifying competition
in a 17-21 21-15 25-23 loss to Anita Raj Kaur
which at least suggested that England’s
Commonwealth Champion, after four
months out, is on the way back.
This is the harsh reality of the new
smaller 32-draw Super Series. It’s hard
to get in, and even harder to survive.
The likelihood is of a first round draw
which will make you blink.
It is designed to promote the tour better,
though that remains difficult while one
nation dominates so much. China won
four of the five titles again, and one
of the more engaging moments in the
monopolistic final stages happened after
we got boy-friend/girl-friend Singles
Champions again. Lin Dan kissed
Xie Xingfang.
No, she grinned, he doesn’t always do
that, almost blushing. “But, yes, we do
comfort and support each other when
we lose.” Ten times, she estimated,
they have won tournaments together.
Not much comfort needed there.
Article Images:
Page 6 - Main image & inset, Anthony Clark & Donna Kellogg
Page 8 - Xie Xingfang, Lin Dan, Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon
Heong, Wei Yili & Zhang Yawen
Page 9 - Zheng Bo & Gao Ling, Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon
Heong, Lin Dan congratulating Xie Xingfang, Lin Dan
Letter from the Chief Executive
Dear All
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all the volunteers, officials
and helpers for your hard work,
commitment and support in helping
us deliver an outstanding Yonex All
England Championships this year.
I would have liked to thank you all
personally but there were just so
many of you involved.
This was my first championships and
I left feeling completely humbled by
the incredible dedication of you all
who, together with the staff, formed
such an outstanding team.
I am not underestimating the
statement when I say that we simply
could not have staged the
championships without you.
I was also left with a feeling of being
further inspired to ensure that the
All England Championships remains
THE pinnacle event of the Super
Series – you have my assurances that
we will do whatever it takes to retain
the status of hosting the greatest
event in world badminton.
Many thanks to you all once again
and keep up the outstanding work.
With best wishes
Adrian Christy
Chief Executive
Contact Chris Johnson,
Head of Commercial Relations on
01908 268400
chrisjohnson@badmintonengland.co.uk
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
As I write this article, the Membership Department is still very busy processing
club affiliations for the 2006/2007 season. We still have not received all the club
returns – almost 8% of those clubs who affiliated last season have not done so this
season. I would encourage those clubs who have not yet paid to please get your
paperwork to us as soon as possible. Your local County Registration Secretary will
be able to check their records to verify your club situation.
Membership Working Group
Membership Cards
The Membership Working Group would like to take this
opportunity to thank all the counties who took the time to
complete the membership survey sent at the end of last year.
This information will be of great value as the group discusses
potential ways of improving our membership affiliation process
to be introduced for the 2008/9 season.
Membership cards are being sent out as each club is processed
and they have been well received by our members. Many of you
have already been carrying them to local tournaments and
events and it is good to see that they are being used.
This card is effectively the first direct letter contact we have
made with our membership and it has brought one issue to light
for a small percentage of our members and that is incorrect
address details. For the cards that have been returned to us, we
are contacting the member directly by mobile telephone, where
possible, or we are contacting the Club Secretary directly to get
the correct address details. This is a time consuming process for
all, but at least it keeps our membership database accurate.
So, could I please ask anyone who moves house to send us
a quick email to membership@badmintonengland.co.uk so that
we can continue to offer you all the benefits of your affiliation
to BADMINTON England.
Badminton.tv
I am pleased to announce that badminton.tv goes from strength to strength with new and varied content
being added to the portal on a fortnightly basis. We have over five-hundred people who have subscribed to
the portal and they are enjoying the benefits of receiving personal badminton coaching at their fingertips.
Over the past weeks, the portal has now been improved to bring
all subscribers a better service. These improvements include:
a new resident coach – Justine Willmott. Justine has
a wealth of experience as a badminton player and coach,
and is a former international player, having represented
England at World and European Championships and Uber
Cups. She also developed her coaching skills during her
playing career and, when she retired from playing full time in
2002, took up a coaching role at BADMINTON England as
World Class Potential Coach.
all videos are now delivered in Flash player instead of Windows
media player. This gives a lot more flexibility and allows MAC
and other Windows users to sign up to the service as 98% of
computers have the Flash plug in.
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an upgraded support centre to include searchable FAQ’s,
announcements and blue chip support ticketing software from
the industry leader in help desk systems. This will improve
response time and reliability.
the addition of ‘Blogs’ - Blog is short for weblog. A weblog
is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and we
hope to capture the diaries, thoughts and comments of all
players whether they are local club players or members of the
performance squad. The addition of a technical forum open
only to subscribing members to allow discussion about
badminton technique, equipment, diet, nutrition and other
topics of general interest.
AN INTERVIEW WITH
COLIN JACKSON
Colin Jackson CBE enjoyed an illustrious athletics career spanning 17 years.
He set a new 110m Hurdles world record in 1993, won two world championship,
four European and two Commonwealth games titles, before ending his professional
career in 2003. Since retiring he has taken up coaching, was a member of the
successful London 2012 Olympic bid team and is a popular BBC sports commentator
and television presenter.
What are you up to at the moment?
I am working on numerous projects,
in the media and commercial worlds
so watch this space.
What do you do to keep fit?
I go to the gym, and ski during the winter
months. I have an apartment in the Swiss
Alps so I'm lucky.
Why do you play badminton?
Badminton for me was always fun, that's
what all sport should be. I'm not good
at it, but enjoy the process of learning
to get better.
Who do you play badminton with?
With friends and my god daughter.
How often do you play badminton?
Image © BBC/Richard Kendall
At one time I used to play everyday but
now if I'm lucky, once every two weeks.
Why should other people play
badminton?
It's quite a social sport and a great way
of meeting all different types of people.
When and how did you start playing
badminton?
I started playing when I was a kid playing
with the kids next door, over the fence!!
What do you think the image of
badminton is?
Generally the image of badminton is
neither here or there it's a sport that
hooks you once you try it. People who
watch it think it's nice and gentle but
they need to play it!!!
With London winning the 2012
Olympics, what impact do you think
this will have on badminton in the UK?
You only hope that the Olympics in
London inspires kids to try the sport.
What is your favourite memory from
your participation in the Olympics?
winning an Olympic medal so for me my
favourite memory is crossing the line in
2nd place, and picking up that medal in
Seoul 1988. It was also more special
because it was my first Olympics.
What do you think we can do to
encourage kids into playing sports especially badminton?
If sport is not fun, then it is not worth
doing. Everyone involved in sport at the
highest level must make it clear how
much fun sport can be and is that will
encourage everyone, not just kids.
If you had more time in the day, what
would you do?
I would ski all day and every day!!!
I think one of the best things in sport is
CLUBLIFE!
MILTON KEYNES JUNIOR BADMINTON
CLUB WAITING LIST TELLS A STORY
The greatest asset the club has is its members. We believe the main reason we
have a waiting list for membership is caring about individuals whatever their standard
of play. The club coaches work in partnership with each player to develop their skills
and listen to their ideas. After all, it is their club.
The club is run by the committee and
four coaches. The committee take care
of organising and running the club and
the coaches concentrate on court action,
aiming to encourage everyone to play
to their full potential but still with the
emphasis on enjoying playing badminton.
The only time we look back is to our
opening by Geoffrey Snowdon some
fifteen years ago.
Club members are aged between nine
and eighteen and are divided into two
groups, each group having a two hour
weekly session. Beginners to average
standard attend the first group, and
reasonable to county standard the
second. Both groups have fitness and
coaching for one hour and play games
in the second hour. We encourage older
members to prepare for level one
coaching status. Any player can have
one-to-one help with any problem. Club
tournaments are run at regular intervals
and trips organised, for example to the
Yonex All England Championships.
Recent success in obtaining the Silver
Club membership has put the club on
a firm foundation for the future. We are
delighted to be so near to the
BADMINTON England headquarters and
international players, giving our
youngsters the chance to watch how hard
they train. Nathan Rice, a founder
member of the club, sometimes visits to
coach our members but found it tough
going when three young ladies from the
club led a fifteen minute aerobic warm up.
A very important factor in our success
is the fantastic relationship we have with
our venue Shenley Leisure Centre and its
staff, which enables us to hold various
special events. One recent event was for
the BBC Children In Need Appeal at
which we had a dream come true when
Nathan Robertson opened our Mini
Badminton Marathon. The kids were
spellbound by the World Champion's
skills. Nathan intended to come for one
hour but stayed for two and a half!
Joanne Nicholas and Natalie
Munt made it a triple hit by also going
on court with the members. Joanne
and Nathan even joined in with having
a Pudsey face painting. We had fantastic
local press and BBC Three Counties
radio reporting, and managed to raise
over £1,000.
What an inspiration and fine attitude our
world class players showed - a true
credit to their sport.
Sincere thanks to Carlton for their
continued support to junior badminton in
Milton Keynes.
Everyone aims to ensure junior
badminton at the club only gets better.
The coaches get older, but never lose
their enthusiasm. Please contact us
anytime if you would like to arrange
a match at any standard.
David Lill
Milton Keynes Junior Badminton Club
Club Coach & President
Telephone 01525 371824
If you would like to submit a Clublife
article please contact Rachel Pullan on
07973 544719 or
rachel.pullan@isportgroup.com
Contact Sue Sutton,
National Development Director on
01908 268400
suesutton@badmintonengland.co.uk
DEVELOPING OUR SPORT
The Development Team continue to organise wide ranging initiatives across the
country in a constant attempt to enhance the profile and develop our sport. Here is
a selection of what has been going on.
Elaine Spray with Emma Groome and Becky Karver
from Sports UK
James Watmough (RDM Midlands – extreme left) and
Rachel Bayley (Staffordshire BDO extreme right)
presenting the certificates.
Mark Burgess (RDM London) with the winning team
(Twydall School)
Elaine Spray (Nottinghamshire BDO)
secured money from the County Council
to stage a development day for coaches.
Calling on the expertise of Emma Groome
and Becky Karver (Sports UK) and
Gordon Fearn (England Netball), practical
workshops were arranged for newly
qualified L1 Assistant Coaches to improve
communication skills and Badminton
FUNdamentals work.
Barton Juniors now benefit from the
Schools Link Programme that exists in
East Staffordshire and pupils from nearby
John Taylor High School enjoy coaching
sessions organised by Barton Juniors.
National Badminton Week Challenge
Winners
At Gosling Park (Herfordshire) a Coaches
Conference attracted 20 coaches with
presentations by BDO Tom Burton and
HBA's Dave Bartlett covering current and
future coaching-related topics. Nick Goode
(Goode Academy and Ashaway) provided
a practical coaching masterclass.
Two new clubs have been created in
Kingston and Woking by Carol Bilton
(Surrey BDO). In Oxford, Nikki Gilder has
been busy supporting Park BC, Wheatley,
and they have become the first Oxfordshire
club to achieve Silver Club status.
In the East Region, St Ives BC
(Cambridgeshire) raised over £800 in aid
of Cancer Research at a 24 hour
marathon and a disability group has been
successfully integrated into a new club at
East Bergholt, Suffolk. Papworth BC, also
Cambridgeshire based, report a 20%
increase in membership as a direct result
of achieving Silver Club status.
Congratulations go to Barton Junior
Badminton Club who has become the first
Staffordshire based club to receive Silver
Club accreditation.
A second tutor training day for the Junior
Helper Award was held in the Midlands.
We now have a workforce of eighteen
ready to deliver so why not visit the
website for details of the award?
In the South East, in Kent ninety children
from fifteen Medway Primary Schools took
part in Medway Council Sports
Development Team inaugural Badminton
“Bisi” Festival. Medway Sports
Development Officer Sarah Risby, said:
“It was a brilliant day. It was great to see
so many young children getting a taster
for the sport and being encouraged to join
a local club.”
The lucky winners of the National
Badminton Week “Hitting Challenge”
will be invited to the National Badminton
Centre in Milton Keynes where they will
experience a tour of the facility which
boasts eight semi-sprung maple courts,
(hopefully rub shoulders with some of
the stars) a sports science suite and
hydrotherapy room. A hydrotherapy room
is where performance athletes retreat to
take a dip in the 34 degree pool or at
times, brave the icy cold plunge to recover
from the day’s intensive training! Over
£1,300 was raised for the NSPCC and
smaller donations went to local funds.
And finally Bisi is back! Fabulous new
look activity cards are now available.
See Schools and Junior on page 43 for
more information.
The festival was supported by many
volunteers who helped lead on the various
activity stations, including 12 students from
Medway schools who have recently
obtained their Junior Helper Award.
CARLTON COACHING
WEEKENDS AT THE
NATIONAL BADMINTON CLUB
The NBC continues to attract more and more clubs for coaching weekends and is
delighted to continue its sponsorship deal with Carlton.
For clubs who wish to book a training
weekend the cost per player for a group
with a minimum of eight players, but up
to thirty-two depending on availability,
will be £145.00 for affiliated clubs and
£155.00 for non-affiliated ones with
a special price of £135.00 for clubs with
Silver Club accreditation. This is based
on having one coach per eight players,
generally a current or recent England
squad player; with further coaches
added as numbers increase. Prices
include full board twin room
accommodation and twelve hours
of coaching.
Because of the high demand for the NBC
there are limited weekends available and
these will be allocated on a first come
first served basis. A number of clubs
have already booked as far ahead as
October but there are still some
weekends available over the summer and
into October. Some clubs are back for
their fifth visit, becoming an annual trip
and a chance to improve their skills on
a regular basis.
Carlton Personal Performance courses
also remain very popular and increasingly
difficult to schedule with the high level of
demand for courts at the NBC. A course
with a maximum of 32 players has been
arranged for the weekend of 21-23
September 2007. Like the club weekends
the course offers twelve hours coaching
with a top class coach and two nights full
board accommodation in twin en suite
rooms for only £160.00. Discounts are
available for groups of four or more. It is
aimed at both club and league players
with different abilities being split up
amongst the coaches.
Places can be booked now and for further
details on how to book please phone or
Visit the NBC’s new website at www.nbc.uk.com
PERSONAL PERFORMANCE COURSE
21 - 23 Sept 2007
For details of all coaching opportunities at the NBC
phone Mark Burbidge on 01908 268400 or email
markburbidge@badmintonengland.co.uk
e-mail the contact details below.
The September course will be a great
opportunity to get some early season top
quality coaching.
Carl Barnard from the Fitz Wimarc Club
in Essex has arranged four weekends and
is busy arranging his fifth one in the
Autumn. “My first trip was for 8 players
but this has now grown to twenty and
this may increase again for the next
weekend. I have taken a range of players
from moderate to County players and
have got excellent feedback from all
standards. The standard of coaching
is excellent and they manage to make
it fun as well as instructive. I can
recommend the weekend to anyone,
the coaching, food and accommodation
represent excellent value which is why
I go back so often.”
THE SLEEPING GIANT
THE SLEEPING GIANT
By Richard Eaton
Badminton Correspondent for The Times
Those involved in badminton for a while will know about the old tale that deep
within it lies hidden a sleeping giant which, once awakened, would cause a great stir.
Well, the signs are that it might be opening one eye just now.
Those not involved for all that long may
be surprised to hear that this colourful
legend is a metaphor for the two to five
million people who may be dabbling at
the game in England. These
guesstimates come from varying
interpretations of government household
surveys, which would make badminton
one of the most popular sports of all.
It doesn’t take much imagination to see
how popular it would become if only
a small percentage of the dabblers
(those who have played perhaps only
once in the past year) became regulars,
and if some of those became competitive
players, increasing the flow of material
through the counties into England’s
performance squad.
An awakening such as this could transform
badminton’s image, its sponsorship, and
perhaps even its place in society.
And we can say with more confidence
that the giant really does exist. Sport
England’s survey of active people
recently listed badminton as the eighth
most popular sport, and the most
popular racket sport, with nearly
900,000 having played it during the
previous month.
This is a more stringent measurement
than that inferred from the household
survey, and “a much more interesting
and useful figure,” according to Steve
Baddeley, one of badminton’s heroes
on and off the court, and these days
Director of Sport at Sport England.
“It’s not only an accurate figure but an
extremely robust number to be playing,”
he said. It means that the significance
of badminton’s huge following is better
understood, not just as evidence of
potential but of development now.
New ways are being found to get the
giant to open the other eye, and perhaps
then to get up and move. This has
happened since Sport England agreed
to remove the ring-fencing from its
performance play funding, making
possible a four-fold increase in the
money available for development.
“I’m not convinced that in the past
badminton has had the capacity to
market itself effectively,” says Sue
Sutton, BADMINTON England’s National
Development Director. “We are now
nearly one-hundred in staff which
means that capacity to touch all these
(900,000) people is now in place,”
Sutton added.
This represents a doubling of the
numbers employed in two or three years,
and has enabled BADMINTON England to
perform research in about one-hundred
sports and leisure centres.
One of badminton’s difficulties has been
that although it could fill centres
morning, noon and night if demand were
the only criterion, centre managers had
to support a range of sports.
But now, with extra emphasis on
acquiring revenue, the opposite can
happen. Five-a-side football, which is
able to pay heavily, sometimes squeezes
other sports out.
However centres often find that their
gymnasia and swimming pools bring in
money, but that their sports halls don’t,
and in these situations, it can be effective
to persuade managers to accommodate
sports more likely to fill the hall.
Badminton is usually one of those.
Some centres, especially modern, bigger
ones with as many as eight courts, don’t
allow badminton clubs to block book,
which is essential for running a club.
Courts kept available for pay-and-play
customers are then not always used. “We
are fighting this one big time, trying to
work with these centres to find a better
solution,” says Sutton.
But there are other ways of progressing.
One is the partnership BADMINTON
England is developing with DC Leisure,
putting in a National Development Officer
whose remit is to fill that company’s
centres with badminton players.
Another is creating a dialogue with the
hundreds of thousands who play only
occasionally. Chris Johnson, BADMINTON
England’s Head of Commercial Relations,
is attempting this ground-breaking task.
This might be achieved through a more
flexible membership package. This implies
a better understanding of casual players,
who might want to play once a week with
friends, without feeling a need for a
governing body.
"We want to establish something new for
these players, perhaps something a bit
radical," says Johnson. "Maybe even not
asking them for a fee and maintaining
contact via an e-zine rather than
a magazine through the post"
Another quietly effective step is the
membership card, which can create
a feeling of belonging. It can also make
benefits, such as sports discounts and
insurance, seem more tangible; indeed
it is something existing members have
been asking for.
These are simple, interim measures.
A longer-term, more ambitious plan
should be in place for the 2008-09
season - the product of a new
membership work group which includes
both BADMINTON England personnel
and volunteers.
There could never be enough staff to
deliver so many tournaments and even
dedicated volunteers cannot be
One of badminton’s difficulties has been
that although it could fill centres morning,
noon and night if demand were the only
criterion, centre managers had to support
a range of sports
‘‘
’’
But even before this unique
empowerment begins, badminton
appears to be enjoying its biggest surge
since the post-war boom. Tournament
entries are bigger than ever across many
regions and all age groups.
It is difficult to get into events in the
Midlands and the South: the Hertfordshire
Open in August generated fully seventythree Men’s Singles entries, forcing many
to drop out.
“In junior terms it creates a crisis
because the tradition is not to turn
anyone away,” said Darren Parks,
BADMINTON England’s Head of
Competitions and Events.
Ten extra junior tournaments have been
created to soak up demand, and four
extra adult events – part of a new Orbital
Circuit which is now the first rung on
BADMINTON England’s competition
ladder (below the Satellite, Challenger
and Elite Circuits).
everywhere. Finding more ‘vollies’ and
training more tournament organisers,
is crucial.
The increase in junior entries should
continue, thanks to a new inter-schools
league for which BADMINTON England
has created a package, making it easier
for inter-schools program managers to
adopt badminton as one of their sports.
“We have 300 schools in the interschools league, which is already three
times what we had,” said Parks. “And
there are potentially 6,000 schools,
many of which didn’t play badminton
against other schools before.
“If many more start adopting badminton
it will be difficult to cope with, but,
handled right, it’s a breakthrough. It has
the potential to be an absolute monster.”
Badminton already has one of those,
which is hopefully emerging from slumber.
This new one is already on the move.
By focusing on converting those who have played badminton perhaps only once in the past year in to regulars, BADMINTON
England hope to increase the flow of players through the counties in to England’s Performance Squad to produce a new generation
of champions to replace the games current starlets, who include Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms (right).
ENGLAND V GERMANY
INTERNATIONAL
England celebrated their new Yonex team kit with a 3-2 win over Germany in the
Yonex International at Preston Guild Hall with Gail Emms leading the way just as she
did against the Danes last year in Preston.
Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg, who was
playing her 70th international, set
England on their way by repeating their
European Gold Medal performance
against Nicole Grether and Juliane
Schenk, winning 21-13 21-14.
European Junior Champion Rajiv
Ouseph, the World No.53, playing his first
home international, began well against
seven-times German Champion Bjoern
Joppien before the tall German took
control and ran out a 21-13 21-14 winner.
World Silver Medallists Robert Blair and
Anthony Clark put England in sight
of victory when they outplayed Kristof
Hopp and Michael Fuchs in the Men's
Doubles 21-17 21-6.
That left Emms and Nathan Robertson,
the World and Commownealth Champions
to finish the job, and ever reliable, they
did just that with a 21-14 21-11 win over
Hopp and Schenk, who were both playing
their second match of the night after
a day of exams for Hopp, to give England
a 3-2 win on the night after all the five
rubbers had ended in straight games.
But it was the singles that were
England’s weak link. National Champion
Elizabeth Cann led World Bronze
Medallist and European Champion Xu
Huaiwen 11-7 in the first game before the
Chinese-born star's experience and
speed around the court proved decisive
in a 21-13 21-10 win.
The England shirt is now available from
the on-line shop at
www.badmintonengland.co.uk/onlineshop
Article Images:
Left to right - Robert Blair & Anthony Clark, Bjoern Joppien,
Nathan Robertson & Gail Emms, Xu Huaiwen
England 3 Germany 2
Men's Singles:
Rajiv Ouseph lost to Bjoern Joppien
21-13, 21-14
Women's Singles:
Elizabeth Cann lost to Xu Huaiwen
21-13, 21-1
Men's Doubles:
Robert Blair & Anthony Clark bt
Kristof Hopp & Michael Fuchs
21-17, 21-6
Women's Doubles:
Gail Emms & Donna Kellogg bt
Nicole Grether & Juliane Schenk
21-13, 21-14
Mixed Doubles:
Nathan Robertson & Gail Emms bt
Kristof Hopp & Juliane Schenk
21-14, 21-11
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2007 ENGLISH NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s Singles
Nick Kidd bt Nathan Rice 21-15, 21-15
Women’s Singles
Elizabeth Cann bt Jill Pittard
21-19, 21-17
Men’s Doubles
Robert Blair & Anthony Clark bt
Chris Langridge & David Lindley
21-16, 21-15
Women’s Doubles
Gail Emms & Donna Kellogg bt
Natalie Munt & Jo Nicholas
21-17, 21-17
Mixed Doubles
Anthony Clark & Donna Kellogg bt
Nathan Robertson & Gail Emms
23-21, 14-21, 22-20
Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms are those very rare players who are so good
that you might just be tempted to risk your mortgage on them. If you had done so
at the English National Championships you’d now be homeless.
THE DAY THE WORLD WAS
STOOD ON ITS HEAD
By Richard Eaton
Badminton Correspondent
for The Times.
Even with the World Champions,
Commonwealth Champions, Olympic
Silver Medalists, former All England
Champions, and the pair which
guaranteed that the final day was a sellout, goes to show that most matches are
decided by a host of small factors which
can vary a lot.
That was partly how and why Anthony
Clark and Donna Kellogg managed to
reverse the result of the world final with
a thrilling 25-23 14-21 22-20 win, even
though they had never beaten Robertson
and Emms in a tournament before.
Indeed no English pair had beaten them
since they revived their partnership six
years ago.
But the difference between conditions at
the Eastlands Velodrome in February and
Madrid’s Palacio de Deportes in
September was as great as the difference
between Manchester redbrick and
Castilian stone.
The conditions were slower. The shuttles
were slower than those used during the
previous two days, and very much slower
than those in the world final, when
Robertson was able to give Kellogg
a hard time.
Then he had caressed the overhead
drops to bring the opposition forward
and flayed the resulting lifts back
through their defences; now Kellogg was
able to block and lift the shuttle more
consistently, and her confidence rose
with it.
MANCHESTER VELODROME, 2ND - 4TH FEBRUARY 2007
In September, Robertson and Emms were
relatively fresh and, in the final, on top
form. Now, despite many entertaining
rallies, they were a bit below par. They
had not long arrived back from Korea,
had painstakingly performed a lion’s
share of the PR for the tournament, and,
having already won the title four times,
had more to lose than to gain.
us to play our game more,” he said.
“In the last few weeks we have been
struggling with our movement and today
we moved superbly. If we can play like
this we will be a force to contend with.”
Kellogg gave that prediction some
immediacy. "We were disappointed with
how we played in the world final, but this
In the last few weeks we have been
struggling with our movement and today we
moved superbly. If we can play like this we will
Anthony Clark
be a force to contend with
‘‘
There were a few more errors than usual,
and a few signs of irritation – a couple
of arguments about a line decision,
a couple of thrown rackets, and a shuttle
stamped on - which indicated they didn’t
feel quite right. But it was only marginal,
and it was part of Clark’s and Kellogg’s
fine achievement that they took
advantage so well.
They saved three game points to take
the first game, and found something
extra after Robertson and Emms saved
three match points to reach 20-20 in the
decider. The clincher was a deft little
angle from Clark in the forecourt, the
shuttle brushing the net and falling into
a very small amount of empty space.
Nothing less would have done.
’’
sets us up nicely for the All England
Championships," she said.
Did defeat harm Robertsons and Emms’
chances of regaining the Yonex All
England title? Probably not. And
certainly not according to Emms, who
is good at extracting positives from
disappointing situations.
“We got close even though we weren’t
at our best,” she said. “And we don’t
want to take anything away from them.
They are a world class pair. But for us
the All England will be a completely
different situation,” she added. True, it
was, but not quite as she imagined. >
Clark felt that their movement had been
the key. “The slower conditions enabled
muscle which was so badly pulled that
he almost withdrew.
“I’m number one now,” Kidd claimed,
“and it’s a real shame that Andrew Smith
doesn’t put himself on the line. I can’t
understand it.”
As for his funding, he said: “It should
give me a strong case to gain
additional funding.”
It may happen, but it won’t be
immediate. Ian Wright, England’s Head
Coach, explained: “The GB (funding)
criteria are published and public. They
are UK Sport approved and enforced,
and Nick’s level of international results
don’t meet the criteria, and so he doesn’t
get GB funding I’m afraid.”
Later the giant-killers each won two
titles. Clark and Robert Blair captured
the Men’s Doubles for the second time,
while Kellogg and Emms took the
Women’s Doubles for a fourth time. “I am
absolutely knackered," Kellogg said.
"I think after the Mixed Doubles, both of
us were.” You would never have known.
“I knew I had a pattern, and it was
a matter of whether I had the skills
to do it or not,” Cann said. “I was really
disappointed last year and I really
wanted revenge.”
Meanwhile Elizabeth Cann became one
of the very few players to have won a
national title unseeded – an even more
incongruous result as it involved winning
it back after only two years.
The Men’s Singles winner also had a
point to prove - but to others rather than
himself. Nick Kidd was ‘angry’ about not
being seeded first, not being GB funded,
and not having a chance to play against
Andrew Smith, England’s highest world
ranked player, who preferred to remain in
Malaysia and prepare for the All England.
Her 21-19 21-17 triumph came against the
top seed, Jill Pittard, who had beaten her
in last year’s semi-finals but who this
time was denied opportunities to hit the
shuttle down steeply in the way which
she does so effectively.
It was remarkable that Kidd got past
a quarter-final with Aamir Ghaffar after
trailing 5-11 in the final game, and was
still able to beat Toby Honey the same
day and then beat the surprising Nathan
Rice in the final, because he had a calf
There was a fair amount of promising
talent on view even though two of the
London 2012 hopes didn’t do as well
as hoped. Rajiv Ouseph, the 20 year-old
Men’s Singles top seed, and Michelle
Cheung, the 17 year-old Women’s Singles
second seed, both lost in the semi-finals.
Ouseph could not capitalise on his 18-15
in the final game against Rice and looked
a touch sluggish. Had he trained too
hard? Cheung looked affected by the
occasion as she was outplayed by Cann.
Was too much too soon expected of her?
Whatever the answers, both will have had
learning experiences. Sometimes, at this
stage, that’s what’s most important.
Article Images:
Page 24 - left to right - Elizabeth Cann, Robert Blair
& Anthony Clark
Page 25 - clockwise - Gail Emms & Donna Kellogg,
The Velodrome, Elizabeth Cann, Nick Kidd
Contact By Julia Strong,
Club Support Manager on
01908 268400
juliastong@badmintonengland.co.uk
YONEX NATIONAL
BADMINTON AWARDS 2006
Without doubt one of the most enjoyable parts of my job is telephoning the
winners of our annual awards. Particularly this year when we introduced the category
of Yonex Young Player of the Year, so it wasn’t just the winner who was “pleased as
punch” receiving such an accolade but the parents as well. And they have every right
to be! This new award is not just about elite performance, it is about being part of
a team, personal responsibility and the contribution made at club and county level.
other players through his level of
organisation, commitment, preparation
and application in all aspects of his
badminton. He has a friendly and helpful
nature and is both liked and respected.
He also finds time to help at his local
club and makes a significant contribution
on behalf of badminton at school.
Yonex Volunteer of the
Year 2006 Eric Richardson, Essex
Within the club and county scene Eric
undertakes too many roles to mention,
but safe to say badminton is alive and
well in Essex. Eric also understands and
appreciates the need for development
and this is demonstrated by his presence
on the county’s development group and
the excellent portfolio his club presented
to gain Silver Club status. He also
recognises the importance of introducing
others to volunteering and is a member
of BADMINTON England’s volunteer
working group.
Yonex Young Player of the Year
2006 - Runner Up
Lauren Smith (Cumbria)
take on the role as co-ordinator for the
Bedfordshire Youth Games.
Yonex Volunteer of the Year 2006 –
Runner Up - Helen Owen (Yorkshire)
Yonex Young Volunteer of the Year
2006 – Runner Up
Steve Kiernan (Warwickshire)
Yonex Young Volunteer of
the Year 2006 - Robyn
Crossman, Bedfordshire
Yonex Young Player of the
Year 2006 Jamie Bonsels, Yorkshire
What a committed and inspirational
young volunteer Robyn is to
Bedfordshire badminton. As part of
Robyn’s numerous volunteer tasks she
has been involved in planning the county
tournaments, has helped to establish and
promote a new club within the county,
played a part in her own club achieving
Silver Club and maintained her
allegiance to another small local club.
What next? - This year she has agreed to
I was delighted to welcome the winners
of the Volunteer of the Year Awards to
the finals weekend of the Yonex All
England. John Briggs and Paul Jepson,
Managing Director of Yonex UK
presented the trophies. All winners
receive a prize package from
BADMINTON England and a bag full of kit
and equipment from Yonex.
The decision to select Jamie was based
on the outstanding example he sets for
Grace Bristow – MBE
As a member of the Schools & Youth
Board Grace is known by all our young
people in badminton and held in high
regard by so many of the older ones.
I am sure you will join me in extending
congratulations to Grace who was
awarded the MBE in the New Years
Honours List for her commitment to
schools and the community.
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PLAYER PROFILE -
NATHAN RICE
Nathan Rice was born in Milton Keynes and now
resides in Bath. He has a highest World Ranking of
No.34 and National Ranking of No.3, is sponsored by
Ashaway and has currently deferred an English course
at Loughbrough University to concentrate on training
full-time.
2006-2007 Season’s Achievements
Winner of the Sussex Elite Open.
Beat Eric Pang (Netherlands) World No.12
in Danish Open.
Final of Welsh (International) Open.
Final of Elite Open Circuit.
Final of the National Championships.
How did you get into badminton?
My parents played socially and I took
a keen interest in all the racket sports.
My dad encouraged me to try a variety of
sports, resulting in me playing tennis and
squash for my county (Buckinghamshire)
before concentrating on badminton when
I was about 14. Local coaches Derek
Skiddy and then Jim Mann were
instrumental in my progression from
the Milton Keynes Junior BC to the
Buckinghamshire county teams and then
on to the National junior teams.
Where, how and when do you train?
the first round of the Indonesian Open
just after he won his Olympic medal and
although I was playing some of my best
ever badminton I only scored five points!
I had felt I was going to do well when
leading 5-0 in the first game. His defence
and fitness showed me I needed to be
a far better athlete to compete with the
top players in the world.
What do you do in your spare time?
When relaxing I enjoy watching films,
listening to music and reading. I also
coach in the evenings as it is something
I enjoy learning about and requires very
different skills from training and
competing. If there’s time I’ll drag Pete or
Anthony Bush out for a game of tennis!
Future Aspirations?
I would like to become National Mens
Singles Champion and also add to the two
senior European international titles that
I have already! I am also looking forward
to the day that I represent England and
to competing in the major international
competitions (World, European,
Commonwealth and Olympic Games).
Any advice for younger players?
Perhaps of crucial importance is to find
a good technical coach when you are
young so you don’t grow up with any
major technical weaknesses. In my case
I was lucky to work with a former All
England Champion, Roger Mills, for a
number of years who is the best technical
coach I have come across. Of course you
then have to develop your athletic ability
as you mature but badminton skills
remain the most important element.
Having someone whom you trust to guide
your badminton career with your best
interests at heart (rather than the
interests of any club, county association
or coach) is essential for a young player
to achieve his/her full potential.
My training base is the Bath University
High Performance Centre run by Peter
Bush. I train 4-5 hours per day, six days
a week. The training is a mixture of on
court badminton squad sessions with the
other Men’s Singles players based in the
area, on court physical training (shadow
and multi shuttle routines) and strength
and conditioning exercises in the gym.
Who are your best friends on the
circuit?
I have become friends with many players
since I started playing badminton,
especially those I competed with as
a junior. Simon Hardcastle and Kristian
Roebuck are two such friends while
Robert Blair and Rajiv Ouseph are players
who have become friends in recent years.
Who is the toughest opponent you
have played?
The toughest would have to be Sony Dwi
Kuncoro from Indonesia. I played him in
POSTBAG
3RD EAST SUSSEX JUNIOR U11
RESTRICTED CHAMPIONSHIPS
but still enjoying their badminton
on a regular basis.
Those attending get a regular regime
of exercise as well as meeting up with lots
of different people, many of whom
become good friends as a result.
"That’s the beauty of badminton" says
George, "it brings people together".
OLDIES BUT GOLDIES!!!!!
Veterans badminton has really taken off
at Parklands' Leisure Centre in Oadby,
Leicestershire.
Sessions cater for the over 50's under the
heading ‘Active Life’ but many are well
past that age and into their 70's and 80's
Parklands' Leisure, Conference and
Banqueting Centre in Oadby, Leicester
runs ‘Active Life’ badminton three times a
week on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays between 10am and 12 noon.
A complimentary tea or coffee is
also offered.
Anyone wishing to find out more can
contact George Frith on 07796 593887.
YOUNG AUTOGRAPH HUNTER
Whilst our Mini Badminton Marathon
took place at Shenley Leisure Centre
I had a request from a young club
member: “David could I have your
autograph please”, reply being,
“you don’t need that”. Back came the
young man with: “Nathan, Natalie and
Joanne have given me theirs. Why
not? You are our coach and not a bad
player either”, after smiles the
request was granted.
I felt great, it’s one time in life I felt at
the same level as those three
wonderful international players.
Cheers my friend. Who said kids are a
problem, absolute rubbish!
David Lill
Milton Keynes Junior Badminton Club
Once again, Goldsmiths Leisure Centre,
Crowborough hosted the East Sussex
Championships. For the third year, the
entries were highly subscribed and all
disciplines were played along with a ‘plate’
event in the singles. Standard of play was
extremely good and it is expected that
many of these players will be representing
their County next season.
Boy’s Singles Winner - Edward Bowles
Runner Up - Joby Harris
Girl’s Singles Winner - Hannah Joyce
Runner Up - Hannah Hall
Boy’s Singles Plate
Winner - John-Joseph Pye
Runner Up - James Woods
Girl’s Singles Plate
Winner - Emma Harris
Runner Up - Sophie Cunnington
Boy’s Doubles
Winners - Tom Boorman/Reece Ford
Runners Up - Zachery Goodsell/
Tommy Buckley
Girl’s Doubles
Winners - Emma Harris/Hannah Joyce
Runners Up - Hannah Hall/Charlotte Wells
Mixed Doubles
Winners - Edward Bowles/Hannah Joyce
Runners Up - James Woods/
Amy Cunnington
SPORT ENGLAND BOOSTS SUPPORT FOR SPORTS VOLUNTEERS
Sport England has announced
a £828,000 Lottery investment
in runningsports.
runningsports is designed to support
sports volunteers involved in team, club or
community sports group administration
and management. Skills development and
support on topics from club finance to
volunteer recruitment is offered through
published guides, regional workshops and
www.runningsports.org.
The funding, which runs over the next
three years, is designed to give more
of England’s 5.8 million sports volunteers
access to runningsports’ resources and
support. The investment will help
runningsports to work with national
governing bodies of sport and voluntary
sector organisations to reach
a wider audience.
Girls & Boys Doubles winners: Tom Boorman/Reece
Ford and Emma Harris/Hannah Joyce, presented by
Tony Willmott and Bruce Peapell.
WORLD CLASS EXHIBITION IN LEICESTER
Nathan Robertson, Gail Emms, Anthony
Clark and Donna Kellogg are to take part
in an exhibition match in Leicester!
The date will be Sunday 3rd June and the
venue is the prestigious Parklands Leisure,
Banquetting and Conference Centre.
The World Champions and their England
team mates and friends who were runners
up in those World Championships in Madrid
last September are playing the exhibition
in an attempt to raise the profile of
badminton in the Midlands and further.
Anyone wishing to get tickets for this event
should contact George Frith on
Tel. 07796 593887 or e-mail
george1.frith@ntlworld.com
Hurry though as tickets are limited and
demand is expected to be very high!
Girl’s Doubles winners and runner-Up: Emma
Harris/Hannah Joyce and Hannah Hall/Charlotte
Wells, presented by Karen Shearing & Bruce Peapell.
ENJOY OUR SHOES
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‘STAR’ POSTBAG LETTER HIGHLIGHTED IN EACH EDITION. JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL.
POSTBAG
NATHAN & GAIL
Ever wondered what it would be like to
partner Gail Emms or Nathan Robertson?
Thanks to an auction held by the
children’s charity SPARKS I was lucky
enough to find out.
Nichole, our Mixed Team Captain, joined
me for the journey to Milton Keynes in
early November to meet the newly
crowned World Champions. On arrival we
met Gail, Nathan and their coach Julian
and after a quick knock-up got down to
the serious business of training before
the big match.
Gail and Nathan showed us what to do
and we then copied with Julian
feeding precision shuttles in a way I wish
I could duplicate!
By the end of the training it felt like I’d
played a dozen hard games but we were
still to face the Olympic Silver Medallists.
Photograph courtesy of James Pike/jimpix.com and William Brown
COACHES NOMINATED
Two coaches from the East Sussex Junior Badminton Association were nominated
at this years’ Sussex Sports Awards 2006. The ceremony was held at the East
Grinstead Sports Club on Friday 24th November.
David Fletcher and Tony Willmott were both nominated as Coach Of The Year. David,
was nominated by the ‘Active Hastings Team’, from Hastings Borough Council and
Tony was nominated by Sussex County Juniors. Tony was ‘highly commended’ in the
Coach of the Year category. Louise Shearing, last year’s winner of Young Volunteer
of the Year, now assists Tony and the U15 Squad at the Heathfield Leisure Centre.
The Sussex Sports Awards celebrated and honoured exceptional achievements
in community sport across Sussex, and the fantastic commitment of the people
involved. Over 450 guests attended the awards, where the winners in eight
categories including Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Club of the Year,
received their accolades.
The first match was myself and Gail
against Nathan and Nichole and a tight
match ensued with Nathan and Nichole
just edging us out (sorry Gail I’ll try
harder next time).
Next, me and Nichole were to play Gail
and Nathan and thanks to some very
sporting play from them we managed to
scrape twelve points before losing.
Finally, a big thank you to Gail, Nathan
and Julian for their hospitality and
generosity on the day.
Philip Halsey
Park Langley Club, Beckenham, Kent
‘ON THE FLOOR’
For years I have participated in badminton tournaments at many levels, as a
spectator, player, umpire and more recently as parent of a player.
Last weekend I helped at another level, 'on the floor' at the BADMINTON England
Surrey Under 15 Bronze tournament.
The tournament was run by experienced organisers, but at a new location. The
thoroughness of their preparation meant that everything went without any problems
on the day. The support and encouragement given to over a hundred teenagers
playing 335 matches was wonderful. These people routinely put a lot of time and
effort into local badminton; this extra tournament was much more than an 'extra
mile'! And it will all be repeated in a couple of weeks for the Under 13’s.
The behaviour of the players and their parents in preparation for their matches and
court etiquette was impeccable. There were no disputes or arguments and the
players won or lost with good grace and laudable sportsmanship.
The future of badminton seems to be well assured with people like this involved.
Everyone involved in this particular tournament and the equivalent tournaments run
each week around the country should be congratulated.
Bernard Shelley
Lyne, Surrey
ENJOY OUR SHOES
HI-TEC SPORTS WILL AWARD A PAIR OF SWITCHBACK MEN’S OR LADIES SHOES FOR THE
‘STAR’ POSTBAG LETTER HIGHLIGHTED IN EACH EDITION. JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL.
TOURNAMENT ROUND UP
ASICS NATIONAL ELITE OPEN
CIRCUIT FINALS
The finals of the ASICS National Elite
Open circuit took place at the Sports
Training Village at the University of Bath.
In the first final of the night David Lindley
and Suzanne Rayappan overcame Chris
Tonks and Liza Parker in two tight games
to take the Mixed Doubles title.
Lindley and Rayappan started the sharper
and never really looked back after opening
a 5-0 lead, retaining a comfortable gap
to take the opening game. The first half
of the second game was closer Tonks and
Parker raising their game to hold their
opponents up to 19-19 but Lindley and
Rayappan got their first match point at
20-19 and didn't waste the opportunity
to claim the title after just 28 minutes.
In the Women’s Singles, Michelle Cheung
produced the biggest win in the senior
ranks with a 21-13 21-15 victory over ASICS
circuit rival Rachel Howard. Cheung, who
beat Howard in the Yorkshire Elite final
but lost to her in Sussex before winning
the Wimbledon event, dominated the
opening game.
Howard looked to be fighting back in the
second as she opened up a 10-7 lead only
for Cheung to overhaul her to go 13-11
clear. But 21 year-old Howard was in no
mood to let the teenager run away with
it and the final year psychology student,
playing in front of her home fans at the
University of Bath, levelled at 15-15.
But Cheung produced the killer instinct
and revealed her London 2012 potential
as she reeled off the next six points to
take the title in 33 minutes.
Rajiv Ouseph and Nathan Rice, the pair
who had dominated the men's circuit this
season, produced an attractive Men’s
Singles final before the Middlesex 20 yearold won 21-12 22-20 in 33 minutes on his
second match point.
Ouseph got an early 6-1 lead before Rice
reined him back to within one point at
12-11. But Ouseph eased away again to take
the first game.
The second was a much tighter affair
despite Ouseph again setting the pace
with some stylish play. He looked
to be cruising to victory at 12-6 and 18-13
ahead but Rice fought back to 18-18 and
kept coming from behind at 19-19 and
20-20 after Ouseph's jumped clip had set
up his first match point.
But at 21-20 Ouseph took his second
chance to take the title to go with the one
he won at Wimbledon, when he beat Rice
in the semi-final and English National
Champion Nick Kidd in the final.
In the Women’s Doubles Mariana
Agathangelou and Gabby White were
triumphant as the teenage pair stormed
to take the title with a thrilling win over
regular rivals Jenny Wallwork and
Suzanne Rayappan.
Men's Doubles:
Dean George (Herts) & Chris Tonks
(Warks) bt Robert Adcock (Notts) &
Robin Middleton (Yorks) 21-19 17-21 21-19
Women's Doubles:
Mariana Agathangelou (Avon) & Gabby
White (Yorks) bt Suzanne Rayappan
(Herts) & Jenny Wallwork (Yorks)
22-20 21-18
Mixed Doubles:
David Lindley (Notts) & Suzanne Rayappan
(Herts) bt Chris Tonks (Warks) &
Liza Parker (Herts) 21-18 21-19
Agathangelou, 18, and White, 16, took
charge straight away and it wasn't until
the 27th point that Wallwork and
Rayappan led for the first time at 14-13.
But back came the youngsters to snatch
the opener 22-20 in a nailbiter.
In the second they were 15-10 up but let it
slip as Rayappan and Wallwork went into
a 16-15 lead. But Agathangelou and White
held their nerve to edge home 21-18.
The Men’s Doubles final was always going
to be the match to watch with the two
pairs finishing joint top of the points table and it was the only one that went to three.
Dean George and Chris Tonks withstood
a second-game fight-back by Robert
Adcock and Robin Middleton to take
the title.
Rajiv Ouseph
Tonks and George took a close opening
game 21-19 but Middleton and Adcock
were just as determined in hauling back
the advantage 21-17 in the second.
But Tonks and George held the upper
hand in the deciding game and took it
21-19 when Adcock served into the net at
match point down. Victory made up for
Tonks's Mixed Doubles disappointment at
the start of the evening and also atoned
for last year's Men's Doubles defeat when
he was partnering Chris Langridge.
ASICS National Elite Open Grand Finals:
Men's Singles:
Rajiv Ouseph (Middx) bt
Nathan Rice (Bucks) 21-12 22-20
Women's Singles:
Michelle Cheung (Bucks) bt
Rachel Howard (Herts) 21-13 21-15
Dean George & Chris Tonks
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COUNTY ROUND-UP
THE VICTOR SPORTS
INTER-COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
YORKSHIRE SET FOR A SEVENTH TITLE;
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE & LANCASHIRE
MOVE INTO PREMIER A
The first Premier weekend was held on 11-12th November 2006 and as expected
was an intense and fiercely competitive weekend.
Many counties in the Premiership had
their big names out - Nathan Robertson
(Nottingham), Gail Emms (Hertfordshire),
Rajiv Ouseph (Middlesex), Joanne Nicholas
(Lancashire), Nick Kidd (Buckinghamshire),
Natalie Munt (Hertfordshire), David Lindley
(Nottinghamshire), Michelle Cheung
(Buckinghamshire), Nathan Rice
(Buckinghamshire), Liza Parker
(Hertfordshire), Chris Tonks (Warwickshire)
and Suzanne Rayappan (Hertfordshire) to
name but a few, and all of whom made a
huge effort in keeping their county at the
top of the game.
Premier A
Premier A title contenders Yorkshire,
Warwickshire and Surrey began their
campaign in dominant style at the
National Badminton Centre, in Milton
Keynes with all three counties winning
their first round ties with ease - Yorkshire
demolishing newly promoted
Leicestershire 9-1.
This was repeated in Round 2 – Surrey
beat Glasgow & NS 7-3, Warwickshire beat
Leicestershire 8-2 and Yorkshire beat
Essex 7-3. Hertfordshire continue to rely
on their ladies and secured their second
draw of the weekend.
However, Sunday morning brought about
Yorkshire’s first defeat of the season, by
Hertfordshire, and Hertfordshire may well
be the only county to defeat the giants
this season. Natalie Munt won her Singles
against Kate Robertshaw, Dean George
and Richard Doling won their Men’s
Doubles match against brothers, Stephen
and Edward Foster and Hertfordshire’s
ladies continued to dominate by winning
both their Doubles and Mixed matches.
This win pushed Yorkshire to No.3 in the
table, with Warwickshire at the top and
Surrey in second place.
This was all about to change after the
second weekend on 16-17 December 2006
at the University of Wolverhampton.
Yorkshire demonstrated why they have
been champions year after year and
picked up a massive 24 points out of 30
by the end of the weekend. Hertfordshire
experienced what was probably their
worst weekend of recent years when they
picked up just 6 points out of 30 and
slumped into the relegation zone along
with Avon, who are more than likely to be
relegated after arriving at Walsall with
one lady missing.
In Round 1, Warwickshire destroyed their
local rivals, Worcestershire 9-1, Yorkshire
beat Avon 9-1 and Hampshire beat
Hertfordshire 9-1. In Round 2,
Worcestershire beat Hertfordshire 8-2
and Yorkshire continued with their
winning form by defeating Hampshire 8-2.
Avon’s miserable weekend showed no sign
of ending with an 8-2 thumping by
Glasgow & NS. By the end of Round 3,
Yorkshire were 6 points ahead of their
rivals, Warwickshire, after another 7-3
victory over Worcestershire.
The last Premier A weekend takes place
on Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st
April at the National Badminton Centre
and it is doubtful if any county can now
overtake Yorkshire.
Warwickshire and Surrey will fight for
second place, but Warwickshire will have
it tough as they face their rivals Yorkshire
in the last tie on Sunday morning.
Premier A (after 6 ties)
YORKSHIRE
44 POINTS
WARWICKSHIRE
38 POINTS
SURREY
34 POINTS
ESSEX
33 POINTS
GLASGOW & NS
32 POINTS
WORCESTERSHIRE
29 POINTS
HAMPSHIRE
28 POINTS
LEICESTERSHIRE
25 POINTS
HERTFORDSHIRE
22 POINTS
AVON
15 POINTS
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COUNTY ROUND-UP
ICC PREMIER B RUNNERS-UP –
LANCASHIRE
(from left to right) Harry Wright, Dave Dunlop, Julie
Wright, Tom Dunlop, Joanne Nicholas, Scott Webber,
Gill Sowden, Alan Clarkson, Amy Ashrafi
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
65 Points
LANCASHIRE
59 Points
with play offs comes back into play. The 4
up and 4 down rule has brought
controversy, fierce competition, tense
weekends and divided opinions all round.
A 60% change in any division is a lot to
contend with and requires detailed
planning and organisation from the very
beginning and a little help from lady luck.
However, what has been evident from the
last two seasons at the final Premier B
weekends is that every county had
something to play for – whether it was
promotion into Premier A or fighting to
stay in Premier B and this atmosphere will
be difficult to replicate in the future.
YORKSHIRE 2
51 Points
Can any County better this?
MIDDLESEX
48 Points
DORSET
46 Points
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
43 Points
CHESHIRE
43 Points
LANARKSHIRE
35 Points
SUSSEX
34 Points
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
26 Points
On 11th January 2007, Anthony Hall
played against Lancashire 3, his 200th
match for Durham County Badminton
Association 1st team. He is the only
person ever to reach this record, the
previous best was 117 1st team matches,
made by Tony Evans. Anthony first played
for the 1st team in November 1981. He was
eighteen years-old at the time and for the
next twenty-six years he has never been
out of the 1st team.
ICC PREMIER B CHAMPIONS – BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
(from left to right) Munn Tzin-Bong, Alyssa Lim, Michelle Cheung, Jurgen Van Leeuwen, Ruth Gardner,
Chris Ford, Arthur Cheung, Sara Sankey, Richard Eidestedt, Nick Kidd
Premier B
Congratulations to Buckinghamshire, who
are Premier B champions, after the final
weekend took place on Saturday 10th &
Sunday 11th February 2007. The last time
Buckinghamshire won this division was in
1952-53 at Barnt Green, when they were
grouped with Berkshire & Oxfordshire.
Chris Ford, Buckinghamshire team captain
said, ‘The team has bonded from the first
match, and there has been a team spirit
that is impossible to replicate; these
things just happen. The blend of senior
& junior players has worked well and
everyone has acquitted themselves
impeccably. Its been a pleasure to witness
what has been a very successful 1st team
season for Bucks and long may it
continue’
Runners-up Lancashire, who were
relegated from Premier A last season, will
be returning to familiar waters. Cheshire,
Lanarkshire, Sussex & Gloucestershire will
be relegated to Division 1, subject to
Regulation 9 in The Victor Sports ICC.
The final Premier B table looks as follows;
Premier B has undoubtedly enjoyed the
most action this season and this is mainly
due to the ending of the short-lived 4 up
and 4 down relegation and promotion rule
between Premier B and Division 1. This
rule survived for only three seasons in the
ICC, next season the 2 up and 2 down rule
Has anyone from any other county beaten
this remarkable record?
The 17-21 Victor Sports ICC takes place on
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April and
this season BADMINTON England are
adopting a new ‘Premier Style’ format for
the Championships. The Regional
Championships will also finish on the
same weekend.
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INTERNATIONAL ROUND UP
YONEX KOREA OPEN
COPENHAGEN MASTERS
England’s Anthony Clark and Robert Blair
reached the second round of the Yonex
Korea Open before losing to semi-finalists
Keat Koo Kien and Heong Tan Boon of
Malaysia 18-21 21-18 21-18. In the Ladies
Doubles all three English pairs went out
in the first round and in the Mixed Doubles
Suzanne Rayappan and David Lindley lost
to eventual finalists Ling Gao and Bo Zheng
in the quarter-finals whilst Gail Emms and
Nathan Robertson lost in the semi-finals to
Kamilla Rhytter Juhn and Thomas Laybourn.
World and Commonwealth Champions
Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms were
beaten 21-16 21-17 by European title holders
Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Juhl in the
Mixed Doubles final at the Copenhagen
Masters in the Falconer Centre.
Men’s Singles:
Dan Lin (CHN) bt Jin Chen (CHN) 21-14, 21-19
Women’s Singles:
Xingfang Xie (CHN) bt Lin Zhu (CHN)
21-9, 21-16
Men’s Doubles:
Sung Jung Jae & Dae Lee Yong (KOR) bt
Jin Lee Jae & Man Ji Hwang (KOR)
21-6, 21-15
Women’s Doubles:
Ling Gao & Sui Huang (CHN) bt
Wei Yang & Jiewen Zhang (CHN )
12-21, 21-14, 21-16
Mixed Doubles:
Ling Gao & Bo Zheng (CHN) bt
Kamilla Rhytter Juhn & Thomas Laybourn
(DEN) 22-20, 21-19
PROTON MALAYSIA
In the Men’s Doubles English pair Anthony
Clark and Robert Blair made the quarterfinals losing to Jae Sung Jung and Tong Dae
Lee 14-21 21-19 21-18 whilst Gail Emms and
Nathan Robertson made the final of the
Mixed Doubles, narrowly losing out to Ling
Gao and Bo Zheng of China.
Men’s Singles:
Peter Gade (DEN) bt Chunlai Bao (CHN)
21-15, 17-21, 21-14
Women’s Singles:
Lin Zhu (CHN) bt Mew Choo Wong (MAS)
21-15, 21-12
Men’s Doubles:
Kien Keat Koo & Boon Heong (MAS) bt
Tony Gunawan (USA) & Candra Wijaya (INA)
21-15, 21-18
Women’s Doubles:
Ling Gao & Sui Huang (CHN) bt
Gresya Polii & Vita Marissa (INA)
19-21, 21-12, 21-11
Mixed Doubles:
Ling Gao & Bo Zheng (CHN) bt
Gail Emms & Nathan Robertson (ENG)
21-12, 14-21, 21-15
In the Men's Singles final European
Champion Peter Gade beat Kenneth
Jonassen 21-16 21-19 after trailing 15-13 in the
second and in the Men's Doubles World
Champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China
overcame Joko Riyadi and Hendra Gunawan
of Indonesia 21-11 21-15.
4th - Germany
5th - France
6th - Belgium
7th - Sweden
8th - Switzerland
The group results in the team event were:
Group Phase:
England beat Sweden 7-2 / England beat
Belgium 9-1 / England beat Netherlands 5-4
Final:
England lost to Denmark 6-3
There was some success in the individual
events too.
Men’s Singles:
Peter Gade (DEN) bt Kenneth Jonassen (DEN)
21-16, 21-19
Panuga Riou came out on top in an all
England Women’s Singles final against
Sarah Milne.
Men’s Doubles:
Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng (CHN) bt
Joko Riyadi & Hendra Gunawan (INA)
21-11, 21-15
The same two players also made it through
to the Women’s Doubles final but ended
runners-up.
Mixed Doubles:
Thomas Laybourn & Kamilla Juhl (DEN) bt
Nathan Robertson & Gail Emms (ENG)
21-16 21-17
YONEX GERMAN OPEN
It was in the Mixed Doubles that England
were most successful with Nathan Robertson
and Gail Emms reaching the quarter-finals
before losing out to the eventual winners
Bo Zheng and Ling Gao of China. No other
English player in all other disciplines
managed to get past the second round.
Men’s Singles:
Dan Lin (CHN) bt Yu Chen (CHN) w/o
Hayley Rogers and Jessica Fletcher making
the Girls Doubles semi-finals and Joshua
Green made the Boys Singles quarter-finals.
The combination of Philip Aspinall and
Joshua Green and Chris Coles and Matthew
Nottingham resulted in both pairs reaching
the quarter finals of the Boys Doubles.
The whole squad performed well and team
leader Tom Causer was very pleased with
the general attitude and application shown,
'An excellent performance in both the team
and individual events. This age group is very
strong in both strength and depth, the future
looks bright for these players'.
Women’s Singles:
Xingfang Xie (CHN) bt Huaiwen Xu (GER)
19-21, 21-12, 21-19
Men’s Doubles:
Jae Jin Lee & Ji ManA Hwang (KOR) bt
Jae Sung Jung & Yong Dae Lee (KOR)
21-18, 22-20
Women’s Doubles:
Wei Yang & Jiewen Zhang (CHN ) bt
Jing Du & Yang Yu (CHN) 21-8, 21-7
Mixed Doubles:
Bo Zheng & Ling Gao (CHN) bt
Chen Xu & Tingting Zhao (CHN) 21-11, 21-10
U15 EUROPEANS
England U15’s took the Silver Medal in the
Europeans which took place in Brest, France.
The final team results were:
Gold - Denmark
Silver - ENGLAND
Bronze - Netherlands
Hayley Rogers (front) & Jessica Fletcher
Contact Emily Weller,
National Schools Officer
emilyweller@badmintonengland.co.uk
SCHOOLS & JUNIORS
BISI ACTIVITY CARDS
The Bisi Activity Cards are an exciting and innovative resource providing fun, high
quality badminton activities for teachers and coaches to deliver.
There are twenty colourful double sided cards in each pack aimed
to introduce children to racket skills and game based routines.
Pack A: Suitable for ages 4 to 9
Pack C: Suitable for ages 9 to 14
The Talbot Torro badminton equipment as supplied by Ransome
Sporting Goods provides a range of equipment for children of
all ages and skills including rackets of different lengths, shuttles,
and net and post sets. The Talbot Torro Bisi products are all
recommended by BADMINTON England for junior players.
The products are ideal for assisting youngsters to enjoy the
game, develop their skills, are priced competitively and created
for developing the correct technique.
The Bisi Activity Cards are available from BADMINTON England’s
online shop www.badmintonengland/onlineshop or by contacting
the Development Team at development@badmintonengland.co.uk
WORLD FUTURES PROGRAMME
CAN YOU SPOT THE WORLD FUTURES SHUTTLE?!
The World Futures programme aims to identify exceptionally
gifted young performers and develop their talent to build future
World Class success. Keep an eye out for our three young
hopefuls in the 2012 / 2016 Olympics!
Name: Alyssa Lim (black skirt, far left)
Age: 16
Favourite player: Gail Emms (England) because she has
achieved great things, such as Olympic Silver.
Name: Jason Lai (black shirt, far right)
Age: 13
Favourite player: Lin Dan (China) because he is left-handed,
very fast on court and has a good style of play.
Name: Arthur Cheung (white shirt, near court)
Age: 17
Favourite player: Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia)
Put an “X” in the correct area and win a BADMINTON
England goody bag!
Three lucky runners-up will receive a BADMINTON England key
ring, pen and badge.
Please photocopy this page, complete your details and return
to Emily Weller, BADMINTON England, National Badminton
Centre, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LA.
Name:
Address:
Email:
Telephone:
NATIONAL RANKINGS
NATIONALRANKINGS 2007
1
2
MENS Andrew
Rajiv
OUSEPH
SINGLES SMITH
03
Hampshire
Middlesex
World No 15
World No 50
3
Nicholas
4
Nathan
5
Toby
KIDD
RICE
HONEY
World No 46
World No 69
World No 106
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
1
MENS Anthony
DOUBLES CLARK
Clark & Blair
World No 6
Surrey
Leicestershire
2
Robert
BLAIR
Blair & Clark
World No 6
3
Robert
4
Robin
ADCOCK
MIDDLETON
LANGRIDGE
Adcock & Middleton
World No 39
Middleton & Adcock
World No 39
Langridge & Lindley
World No 55
Nottinghamshire
Yorkshire
1
MENS
MIXEDDOUBLES Nathan
Nottinghamshire
5
Chris
Surrey
2
Anthony
Nottinghamshire
ROBERTSON
CLARK
Robertson & Emms
World No 3
Clark & Kellogg
World No 5
3
Robert
4
David
5
Kristian
BLAIR
LINDLEY
ROEBUCK
Blair & Wallwork
World No 39
Lindley & Rayappan
World No 24
Roebuck & Munt
World No 54
Leicestershire
Nottinghamshire
Derbyshire
For the latest rankings visit www.badmintonengland.co.uk
NATIONALRANKINGS 2007
1
2
WOMENS Tracey
Jill
PITTARD
SINGLES HALLAM
03
Staffordshire
Warkwickshire
World No 45
World No 42
3
Michelle
4
Elizabeth
5
Rachel
CHEUNG
CANN
HOWARD
World No 332
World No 52
World No 177
Buckinghamshire
Middlesex
WOMENS 1=
Gail
DOUBLES
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
1=
Donna
Derbyshire
EMMS
KELLOGG
Emms & Kellogg
World No 7
Kellogg & Emms
World No 7
4
Natalie
5
Suzanne
PARKER
MUNT
RAYAPPAN
Parker & Day
World No 75
Munt & Nicholas
World No 23
Rayappan & Wallwork
World No 38
3
Liza
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
1
WOMENS
MIXEDDOUBLES Gail
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
2
Donna
Derbyshire
EMMS
KELLOGG
Emms & Robertson
World No 3
Kellogg & Clark
World No 5
3
Natalie
4
Jenny
MUNT
WALLWORK
RAYAPPAN
Munt & Roebuck
World No 54
Wallwork & Blair
World No 39
Rayappan & Lindley
World No 24
Hertfordshire
Yorkshire
5
Suzanne
Hertfordshire
For the latest rankings visit www.badmintonengland.co.uk
5MINUTEBREAK
9 THINGS YOU MAY NOT
RECYCLE YOUR OLD MOBILE PHONES
KNOW ABOUT BADMINTON
Given the large number of redundant
mobile phones in the UK, and the
percentage of these rapidly increasing
on a daily basis, the need for an easy
means of recycling used phones has
become evident.
Barcelona – 1.1 billion people worldwide
watched Badminton’s Olympic debut at
the Barcelona Olympics 1992. 70 Million
people in China alone watched the 2004
Olympics Mixed Doubles Final in Athens.
Safe disposal of used phones must
ensure that they don't lie in landfills and
harmful components do not damage
the environment.
American Judy Hashman holds the
record number of All England titles 17
in total.
Did you know that the average weight of
The method of collection is simple - just
pop your old mobile phone into the
envelope you will find in this magazine
and put it in the post box - we've even
paid the postage!
a shuttle is between 4.74 and 5.50 grams?
Modern badminton began as "poona" in
India. In the 1860’s it was adopted by
British Army officers stationed in India. The
officers took the game back to England,
where it became a success at a party given
by the Duke of Beaufort at his estate called
"Badminton" in Gloucestershire.
In Malaysia and Indonesia crowds of up to
15,000 people regularly fill the stands to
cheer on their shuttle-smashing heroes.
Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Craig
David, KT Tunstall and Frank Lampard
(Senior) are all known to enjoy the odd
game of badminton.
BADMINTON England working with
partner, Greener Solutions are giving
members of the Association a chance
to recycle their old mobile phones and
support BADMINTON England's World
Class Scholarship Programme.
For every phone recycled in a BADMINTON
England envelope, £2.50 will be donated
to the Scholarship Programme. The
programme will help support athletes in
the U24 and U19 squads so that they can
be potential medal winners.
If you need more envelopes, please
contact Greener Solutions on
020 8274 4040 or email
badminton@greenersolutions.com
Toy – You can even buy Barbie a racket
Even Ali G has some thoughts on badminton . . .
and shuttles.
“Dis is me bestest pastime so in da house is some tips on how
to get da mostest wicked lauf from badminton! Init! Firstly yous
have just got to is da feathery fing as hard has yours can”.
Originally, the Chinese played a version
of badminton called Ti Zian Ji. They didn’t
use rackets though, they used their feet!
Next to soccer, badminton is the most
ARE YOU A BADMINTON FANATIC?
popular sport in the world.
On the www.badmintoncentral.com web
site, you can see a light-hearted view
of badminton.
5. You play in four badminton clubs, so
that you can play every night of the
week and at weekends.
If you answer yes, to most of these
questions, maybe you are a fanatic!
1. You play more than three times a week.
6. When you are watching badminton,
your legs start twitching because of
an automatic reflex action.
2. You know exactly where five foot is on
your body.
7. Your knees hurt before and after, but
NOT DURING a game.
ANTHONY CLARK’S
AMAZING “FLOOR SHOW”
On Sky's All Sports
show last Friday,
Anthony Clark beat
a star studded line up
including Ronaldinho
to win the "play of the
week" feature, with his
amazing "floor show"
in the Mixed Doubles
semi-final at the All
England this year.
I am sure this rally will be on
www.youtube.com before long!
3. You own more than two badminton
books.
4. You “chasse” instead of walk.
BADMINTON TIPS
The secret to singles are the four corners. Study physics
before you play badminton.
When playing a game, try to dress as a baseball player
so your opponent thinks that you can only play baseball.
Yup, deception is the key!
Send your news to :
marketing@badmintonengland.co.uk

Badminton Magazine

Transcription

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