Category Archives: Badminton England

Herts U17B – Zak Malik

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Zak Malik – Herts U17B – December 2018

Herts U17B - Zak Malik

Herts U17B – Zak Malik
Two Bronze medals

On the 1st December, I played in the Hert U17B Badminton England tournament. I played quite well, getting out of my box in singles sand doubles, however mixed was a different story. Despite being the THREE/FOUR seed, me and my partner (Emily Goode) failed to convert all of our games, losing to the gold medal winners 21-18.

However, in singles I was seeded NINE/SIXTEEN and comfortably won all my games, 21-15, 21-10, 21-9. I was then through to the round of 16 where I won my game 21-18, but it shouldn’t have been that close as I was 17-11 up. I was then confronted with the number TWO seed (Nithin Santhosh), who I had previously faced and beaten. This time proved à similar result and I came out on top winning 21-17. In the semi-finals I was faced with the THREE/FOUR seed (Arav Swati Abhay) who later went on to win the final 21-15. Unfortunately, I had lost this game 21-19 due to a very severe calf cramp and had to be carried off court. I had to postpone my pending doubles games for about half an hour as I couldn’t walk, but when I finally got round to playing, me and my partner, Sam Cook, had won all of our doubles games in a very tight box, narrowly beating the THREE/FOUR seeds (Jason Arya and Izaak Smith) 21-18 and beating the other two partnerships 21-16, 21-14. We were then in the semi-finals facing the number ONE seeds (Nithin and Prabav Santhosh) who were seeded ONE and TWO in singles. Unfortunately, within the first 11 points, me and my partner were unable to convert many of the points leading to a 21-11 loss. I thoroughly enjoyed this tournament and was pleased with my result.

Results for the Herts U17B can be found HERE.

Toby Beckett won Bronze at the Warwickshire U17 Bronze

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Warwickshire U17 Bronze  November 2018 – Toby Beckett

Tony Becket, recently entered the Warwickshire U17 Bronze, a Badminton England tournament on Saturday 3 November 2018. Following in his own words how he won a Bronze in the Mens Singles.

Warwickshire U17BI played very well and managed to get a bronze medal. I got out of my box comfortably with scores such as 21-9 21-10 21-15 and 21-11. Then I got to the quarter final and won comfortably against an opponent I had lost to before 21-13 this was the game I was particularly pleased with. In the Semi-Final I played the number one seed and the overall winner of the tournament. I did lose this game but I played well and never gave up. The end score was 13-21. I really enjoyed this tournament and was pleased with my result, especially as I played a higher aged tournament.

The results can be found HERE.

Summer Camp 2018 – Week 3

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Summer Camp 2018 – Week 3

The first two weeks of the Summer Camp 2018, held at the Sport and Fitness Centre, University of Birmingham, not only have they flown past but they have also been a massive success. Kristian Roebuck in week 1, along with Julia Mann. Lorraine Cole was overseeing all of the sessions. Week 2, Lorraine and Dave Prior ran the sessions. Week 3 of the Summer Camp 2018 sees Fontaine Chapman (recently married so now Wright), taking grip of the situation hopefully smashing it.Julia Mann is back along with Lorraine Cole.

To date between 34 and 39 players have taken to court most days of the Summer Camp 2018. Most sessions see at least 6 coaches in the room giving the players help and advise on techniques, movement, tactics.  With still two weeks to go if you are luck and don’t want to miss out there are still a couple of places left. See HERE for full details.

West Midlands Summer Camp 2018 – Where players just get better.

Under 17 Nationals – Milton Keynes – April 2018

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Across he board success for the PC at the Under 17 Nationals 2018

The WMPC had one of their most successful weekends in their history at the Under 17 Nationals in Milton Keynes. Of the five available titles, the WMPC took two golds in both the mixed doubles and ladies doubles respectively. Four girls (Asmita Chaudhari, Kiara Henry, Victoria Liang & Khushi Naik) competed in the tournament to a very high level and should be extremely proud of their efforts. Kiara Henry won her first ever national title in the ladies’ doubles alongside Pamela Reyes (Buckinghamshire) after a hard fought three set final against Evans/Van Leeuwen (Warks/Bucks), an amazing achievement for Kiara, who really raised her level at key moments during the weekend. In the singles, she lost out 22-20 in the third set against the 3rd seed, Gauri Shidhaye, who went on to reach the final. Asmita Chaudhari, with a lot of pressure to win at the U17 level after her successes at the U19 Nationals, did herself proud with collecting another national title in the mixed doubles alongside Ethan Rose (Oxfordshire). After a

Left to right
Peter, Asmita, Victoria, Kiara and Lorraine

tough semi-final, they were in a higher class than their opponents Reyes/Green (Bucks/Surrey), who was looking for her third national title in one day! Asmita also picked up a bronze medal in the ladies doubles (with partner Annie Lado), missing out in two close sets against Evans/Van Leeuwen. The fourth medal of the weekend came from Victoria Liang in the mixed doubles. After an extremely good season on the circuit, Victoria and partner Jack Taylor made it to the semi-finals after two good wins, before taking on Reyes/Green, losing out in straight games, despite some flashes of brilliance. Khushi Naik, who has only been playing for THREE years, came into the ladies singles event seeded 5/8, but was given a tough draw in the form of Tashvi Parab (Bucks), who was the runner-up at the U15 Nationals the weekend before. After a slow start in the first set, Khushi recovered from 20-17 down in the second set, to take it 22-20, before sadly losing out 21-18 in the third set. An extremely high level match from Khushi, who is improving every time she steps on court. She also reached the quarter finals of the ladies doubles (with Sophie Watson), losing out to Asmita and Annie Lado. As I’m sure you can understand the WMPC is extremely proud of all the girls playing at the Nationals this weekend, and for four of the fifteen medals available to be coming to the WMPC it is an amazing achievement. These girls will continue to work hard, but we would love to see some boys at these events next year too! Head Coach, Lorraine Cole said, ‘It was very emotional, hot and exciting at the same time and I am extremely proud of the results we have achieved from all the girls who have come through the programme we offer.’

Peter Clegg – WMPC Coach

Level 2 Coaching Certificate

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Are you looking to become a Level 2 Badminton Coach?

Then look NO further as the WMPC are hosting a UKCC Level 2 Badminton Coaching course at the University of Birmingham.

The course runs over 4 day and will at the end of the course qualify the coach to independently plan, lead and review coaching sessions and develop coaching programmes to support the development of players.

Full details about the course can be found on the Badminton England site HERE. Course dates, booking and payment details can be found HERE on the Go Membership site.

So it you are already a Level 1 coach and your are looking to progress and become a Level 2 then do it in Birmingham at the new Sport and Fitness Centre at the University of Birmingham.

PC v. Tudor Grqnge – 22.10.2017

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Solihull Junior League WMPC v Tudor Grange
Sunday 22 October 2017
Langley School

Second match and we play Tudor Grange sees four PC members turned up early at the second of the Solihill Junior League games and a different venue from the first match.
Raring to go we picked the court for the evening. We were one of the first teams there so we waited patiently for the opposition.
Tudor Grange’s team manager walked straight over to say hello, fellow self employed coach, Steve Kiernan who I had not seen for a couple of years. So we did a bit of catching up whilst the boys knocked up and we filled the score sheet in.
Down to business and Ethan and Toby went on for their first game. Best of three games and with a comfortable opening game beating the Tudor grange first pair in two games to take the rubber. Then Charlie and Joe took to court. Not quote such a fast start but once they got going a good game, settling in nicely. Again in two games to give us two rubbers.
There pairings stay the same for the second round but our second pair play the first pair from Tudor. Grange and vice versa (our first play their seconds). Mot quiet so comfortable but we came though the second round of games unscathed, with another two rubbers.
Third round not quiet as easy. The pairing changes (as per the format) and our no. 1 player pairs up with our 3rd player, whilst no. 2 plays with no. 4. Now on two courts al four players took to court. Toby and Charlie made light work of the opposition moving them around and generally putting them under pressure. Joe and Ethan won the first game but the opposition fought back in the second taking the game 22-20 to Tudor Grange, one game all. Sorted themselves out in the last game to give us an overall win on rubber 6-0. Well done guys here’s to the next one.

ONE

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CLOSER and CLOSER – ONE week left before the Summer Camp starts.

ONEOMG, ONE week to go………….!  Are you ready for Monday 7th August 2017 when the one and only Infamous West Midlands Performance Centre Summer Camp starts. Along with Lorraine Cole, JULIA MANN (GB and England coach) will be supporting Lorraine in the training sessions during the three week schedule. You need to be prepared to work hard as there will be NO prisoners, these sessions will be well SICK……….LOL.

If you are signed up to the camp then consider putting in to practice all that training by entering the SENIOR Bronze (where you can enter ALL three disciplines). AND/OR enter the TEAM TOURNAMENT (4 players per team with a combination of male and female), something different for the Summer……!

Comments from resent Summer Camp participates as they talk to Peter Clegg, Andy Wainwright, Joe and Keerti.

All looks and sounds inviting, then don’t waste any time as there is less that one week to the camp………. Then enter yourself into one or both of the tournaments.

TWO – Weeks to GO

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YES – ONLY TWO weeks left before the Summer Camp starts.

TWOTime is running out  as August 7th is less that TWO weeks away. The first day of the infamous West Midlands Performance Centre Summer Camp for 2017 is getting closer.

Lots going on in August………..!

Not only is there the three week coaching at the summer camp but there is also the TEAM Tournament on August 19th and then the SENIOR Bronze on August 20th giving you a badminton packed weekend. This weekend is where you can (in some cases) put in to practice all the skills and training that you have picked u from the likes of JULIA MANN. Yes, Julia Mann the coach that trained the GB and England players. Bringing all of her knowledge and a different coaching skills to all three week of the Summer Camp.

Less that two weeks and all this can be yours. Details along with booking forms can be found HERE.

Welcome Julia Mann ENGLAND Coach

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The PC extends a Massive Warm WELCOME to it’s latest NEW coach…….!

Julia Mann is a welcome addition to the Performance Centre’s pool of coaches. See joined us a few weeks ago and is already marking her mark. Julia has been working at Badminton England with the GB team and England squad for some time and is now moving up to the Midlands to join us at the WMPC. Take a look at her profile HERE.

Julia MannShe has been working mainly with the Developing and Emerging groups and has already undertake several 1-2-1 sessions with players who enjoy her sessions immensely. Really excited that she working along site our head coach Lorraine Cole for the whole of the Summer Camp. Having spoken to her today she is always keen to work with players who concentrate and push themselves during sessions but also listen to her suggestions and working on implementing them into their game/training.

Julia has been working closely with ForzaWM and is now sponsored by them. Congratulations Julia.  ForzaWM is a local online badminton clothing and accessories specialist who support the PC.

It is going to be a pleasure working with her at the Summer Camp 2017. I am certain, I am going to enjoy it more than the players.

Raw Success at recent Inter PC in Manchester

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WMPC sees RAW Success with a Silver.

The PC entered two teams into the Inter PC in Manchester. For the last few years the WMPC have entered several teams into the event held over two days for the various Badminton England levels in each Performance centre. The levels being Raw, developing and Emerging.

This year was no exception. The PC sent two teams in this category. Team 1  Dan, Zafer, Rahman, Joe and Sana.Team 2 Abdur, Arush, Vaibhav, Rhea and Reva.

Format was 5 games per match, each game going to 21 plus setting, with the game order being Singles, Doubles, Singles, Doubles,Doubles. Each match would produce a winning team. All of the teams were split into groups. Team 1 in a group of three and Team 2 in a group of 4. Depending on the position achieved in the first round groups, this dictated the on which group each team went through to in the next round and consequently which position each team played for.

Team 1 first round was in a group of three teams, of three groups.. Team 2 was a similar format three groups but consisted of 4 teams..

Let pay begin. Not know what the strength of the opposition it was hard to pick the right team for each match. But saying that the idea was not necessary to win each match.(although it would have been nice), the idea is to give each player match experience. So teams picked giving each player at least one singles game.

Team 2 had some really tough opposition, the first round saw some close game wins 22-20, 21-19 and some close losses, 19-21,21-23, 21-23. They all fought for every point and concentration was key. A couple of the players I have not seen for a few months and was really impressed on their improvement. It was great to see. They got through to the second round to play for positions 4-7. Sadly the opposition were strong so we got 6th place. They did really well.

Team 1 again had some tough opposition, but managed to finish the first round as top of the group.So the second round saw them playing for one of the medal positions so RAW success was almost guaranteed. They had a sit off for the first round and watched Cumbria fall to a strong Potteries team. We played Cumbria next and bat them. So now playing for Gold or Silver the pressure was on, in what was effectively the final. The two singles games did not go as well as hoped, with heavier that expected defeats. They redeemed themselves in the first doubles. With two doubles left to play and the games score at 1-2 down we needed to win both to get gold. 17-21 saw the Potteries take the match 1-3 with the last game still to play. A close with 21-19 left Team 1 with a 2-3 defeat and Silver. Well done all on your RAW success. I hope you all enjoyed the experience.