Tag Archives: Badminton Birmingham

Performance Centre win 19 Medals

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Medals keep coming to the Performance Centre. This season has seen a grand total (that we know to) to date, of 19 medals.  It is fantastic when you think that some of the players are playing in some tournaments that are the age group above them and they still come back with a medal. Now to ‘name and shame’ thoses medal winners read on.
Medals wonJoe Ball
– Leicestershire U15 Bronze – Bronze medal in Boys Doubles
Elizabeth Hambling
– Leicestershire U15 Silver – Silver medal in Girls Doubles
– Worcestershire U17 Bronze – Silver medal in Girls Singles
– Warwickshire U17 Bronze – Silver medal in Girls Singles, Bronze in Girls Doubles
– WMPC U15 Bronze – Silver in Girls Doubles
Victoria Liang 
– Worcestershire U17 Bronze – Gold medal in Girls Singles
– Warwickshire U17 Bronze – Gold medal in Girls Singles, Silver in Girls Doubles
Selina Liang – Warwickshire U17 Bronze – Bronze medal in Girls doubles
Asmita Chaudhari – Warwickshire U17 Silver – Gold in Mixed, Silver in Singles
Kiara Henry – Leicestershire U15 Silver – Gold in Girls Doubles
Ryan Quek – Milton Keynes U19 Gold – Bronze medal in Boys Doubles and Mixed Doubles
Chris Maneffa
– WMPC U15 Bronze – Bronze in Boys Singles, Silver in Boys Doubles
– Herefordshire U15 Bronze – Bronze in Boys Singles
Matthew Bickerton – WMPC U15 Bronze – Silver in Boys Doubles
Apologies for any names missed off the above list. If you have won a medal and it is not on the list then please send me the details and I will make amends.
19 medals in total!   Absolutely amazing – well done to all the PC players. WE have still got the second half of the season to go, will there be more medals won?
Send details to Stephanie Cartwright-Randle stefcr@live.co.uk

Developing Team 2 – Manchester Inter PC

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Did the Developing Team 1 and/or Team 2 follow in the Raw Teams footstep from yesterday?

As with the Raw yesterday we were hoping that this year the DEV groups would yield success for the WMPC. This year we entered two DEVELOPING teams on Sunday 12th July.

Team 1 – Amy Gravett, Kiara Henry, Selina Liang and Ed Groves.
Team 2 Sam White, Chris Maneffa, Joe Ball and Matt Bickerton.

Same Rules as yesterday players ranked in singles ability (see Raw Teams HERE) etc. The start was scheduled for the same time as Saturday, but with less teams, start of play was a little more laid back. Most of the players being a little older meant the early start was not so much of a shock to the system and players were keen to get on with it.
Team 1 with 4 in the group saw opponents Potteries, Cumbria 1 and Bolton. Match results saw 3-2, 1-4 and 0-5. Team 1 was first up whilst Team 2 spectated and supported big style. It was commented on my other teams how good the support and encouragement from the side line was.The first two games we’re hard fought. Evey point was worked hard for and won. They went in to the last game needing to win to stand a chance. However, one of the team members fell ill and was unable to play. With a team member down it was impossible. We changed the team round and other team members played knowing that their scores would not count but still they played and played well. Doing themselves proud. At the end of the match it was time to go home and they could travel home knowing they had played some great games.
Team 2, their draw saw Cheshire 2 (an all girls team), Bolton 1 and Merseyside. Match results 5-0, 5-0 and 3-2. First up Cheshire, the girls played well and pushed the lads hard. The lads kept their cool, stayed focused and although the girls battled for every point the strength of the boys prevailed for the win. Bolton saw some closer scores with one game going to 23-21, well done Sam and Matt. All on the last game as Merseyside had also won two matches. If we won this one it was though to the play offs. Everything to play for. Joe was up first and wow what a singles game. Two points one way, two points the other way, 20 all. Every point counts Joe was just pipped 23-25 a well played game from both sides long rallies, waiting for the right moment and the right shot to win the point. Chris and Sam up next they stayed focused to win 21-15. Matt up next for the second singles, a whippet springs to mind running from side to side to get each shot back. Worth every step to deservedly take the win at 21-19. Joe and Sam up next a good game but the opponents experience partnership shine through to win 15-21. This left the match at 2 games all. Everything was on the last end. Chris and Matt stepped on to court, everything to play for. The first half saw the lads 6-11 down, but a quick pep talk and they went out all guns blazing. Long rallies with Matt on the floor diving for the shuttle to get it back. What team work and determination fighting for every point to triumph with a fabulous 21-17 win. Team managers shock hands with the comment of ‘that match could have been the final’. Everything that you wanted to see.

Team 2 Deserved Broze

Team 2 Deserved Broze

So through to the play-offs, if nothing else we are guaranteed a Bronze, first up the lads meet Cumbria. Very close games put us 2-1 up. It was all on the doubles we just needed one game. Two very close games, losing both to 19 and 16. Overall 2-3 to Cumbria. Now to redeem ourselves taking on Manchester. Although after two games we were 0-2 down both games lost to 19. So not a lot in it really. I think the early start and long hard matches were starting to take its toll. Lost the next two games but Matt and Chris fought back in the last game to make it 1-4. So Bronze it was, well deserved I thought. Well done lads and thank you for making my job easy. So proud of all of the teams. Both of the Raw teams and both of the Developing teams. Heres to next year.

Raw Team 1 – At the Inter Performance Centre Tournament – Manchester

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Could either Team 1 OR Team 2 prove successful?

The Inter-PC in Manchester last year saw some success for West Midlands PC players. We were hoping that this year would yield similar results. This year we entered two RAW teams on Saturday 11th. (See also Sunday 12th Developing Teams HERE).

Team 1, Beth Hambling, Joe Kamara, Liam Heneghan and Rohit Kale.
Team 2, Andrew Jiang, Rhea Sibal, Dileep Dhanda and Daniel Vazey.

Team 1 and Team 2 players had to be ranked in singles ability. Fortunately the Teams were in different Groups and both teams had to play a number of Matches. Games order :- first singles, doubles (not singles players), second singles, doubles with first singles player, last doubles with second singles player. Each player took part in two games per match.
Play was due to commence at 9.15, meaning an early rise, a long drive with players walking throughout the sports hall door still with a bed head on. This needed to be shaken off quickly as the start was prompt.
Team 2 with 4 in the group saw opponents Cumbria 2, Manchester and Colne 2. Match results saw 4-1, 5-0 and 0-5. Although we had two wins the teams where reasonably even in strength, with several game scores of 17 and 19. The last game was totally different. It was visually obvious what we lacked in this game was physically strength, petite players against young adults. Although well fought games the shear size of the opposition mean very little got past them. Sadly it meant mid-afternoon, tracks for home were started for Team 2.

Team 1 medals in hand

Team 1 medals in hand

Team 1 with 5 in the group saw opponents Bolton 2, Cheshire, Manchester and Merseyside. Match results saw 5-0, 3-2, 4-1 and 3-2. Team spirit was good and each player went on court determined to give their all. The score line show this with the last group game need to be won so they they could go through to the play-offs.
The play-offs saw three teams all guaranteed at least a Bronze medal. Two matches left these were expected to be harder games. Having fought hard in the first round the next two games proved a little to much for Team 1. Although mentally up for it, physically the body language was telling a different story. Score lines of 15s, 17s and 19s unfortunately don’t show in the 5-0,5-0 defeats. Presented with their Bronze medals it mean the journey home would be more enjoyable. 

Are you ready for badminton training in Summer 2015

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Summer 2015Summer 2015 badminton training by West Midlands Performance Centre.

Details for the coveted Summer 2015 badminton training camp are almost here. Keep watching THIS space as numbers will be limited. These that attended last year will have first refusal and then on a first come first served basis. Summer 2015 training camp overs a FREE FORZA t-shirt for players who book and confirm a place before the deadline of Friday 17 July 2015. Coaches are writing the programme ready to build up levels of fitness, develop movement, technique and tactics of singles and doubles. Players will improve the skills, strengths, efficiency and power with a view to sharpening up during the summer 2015.

There will be footwork to music, shot skills incorporated into routines and of course match play to develop tactics. Under 11, Raw, Under 13, County, Developing, Emerging, University a and B squad players will be worked hard but fun sessions will mean theyl all enjoy the summer 2015 camp. Most of the benefits will be seen and felt most at the start of the new badminton season.

Summer 2015 training NOT to be missed details HERE.

Birmingham Lions – NBL

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Have you got your NBL tickets for the Lions second home fixture?

Birmingham Lions NBLMonday 1st December 2014 see the Birmingham Lions take on University of Nottingham in the third round of NBL fixtures. The impressive University of Birmingham’s Great Hall is the venue for the second home fixture for the Birmingham Lions.

Details for all of the NBL fixtures can be found HERE. Ticket information for these events can be found and purchased HERE.

For results, action videos,, photos and more details see the NBL website.

Inter PC Developing and Emerging

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Emerging and Developing can they do it?

Day two of the Inter PC Tournament in Manchester saw players from the Developing and Emerging groups take to the courts hoping to leave their mark with our northern competitors.
WMPC Developing group for the Inter PC event, was being represented by Kishen Lee, Samuel White, Kayleigh Beeston-Smith and Selina Liang. SAM_0512There were six teams in our group so 5 gruelling matches lay ahead in a warm Manchester veladrome for relatively new pairing against, what turned out to be some strong opposition. The first Match saw us narrowly loose 2-3 with very close games set the bar for the days battle. Although no match was won by WMPC developing group but with close scores of 17s, 18s, 19s says hard fought battles were had in may of the games. Un-triumphant the Developing team set of home with heavy hearts. The day was a great experience and lessons can be learnt and taken to work on for next year and/or similar events.
The Emerging group for the Inter PC challenge saw Rob Spink, Chris Williams, Sarah Collins and Grace Taylor turn out for an epic first match against a the host Manchester PC. SAM_0523The format or game order was, ladies doubles, mens singles, ladies singles, mens doubles and one mixed. Chris had a gruelling first mens, winning 21-13, 20-22, 26-24. Sarah played ladies singles losing narrowly in the second game 14-21, 21-23. Mixed doubles saw Rob and Grace take their game to 3 and winning 21-16, 19-21, 21-13. Final first match score 3-2 to WMPC. Unknown to us at this stage that was the winning match. Out off the remaining 3 matches saw WMPC play Potteries 1 and 2, opposition that was a little closer to home and better known. Overall some fabulous badminton for those of us on the side line spectating. Triumphant on the day yet Emerging guys walked away with medals and the trophy. On a lighter note each team nominated a player from the opposition for sports person of the match, whose names where put in to a hat and drawn at the end of the competition to win a Babolar racquet. Young Sarah Collins is now the proud owner of one such racquet.SAM_0531
Well done to all the players both Developing and Emerging and thank you parents for your support and the early start.

 

Inter PC (Performance Centre) Tournament Manchester

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Are we up for the challenge?

WMPC first experience of the Inter PC Tournament. Run by Steve White of the Manchester PC. Predominately Northern PC entries. So the new kids on the block WMPC enter for the first time. Saturday began with the RAW group entries, we had one team in the Raw League (stronger players). The team could have been made up of five players (either male or female), so Joe Kamara, Rohit Kale, Nurali Rajbhai and Ibraheem Malik four lads, 13 years or younger were representing West Midlands PC. None of the had ever played together before. So this was a first and the other competitors would be the best from other PC’s (cream de la cream).

PC RAW

PC RAW – Rohit, Joe and Nurali

The four lads held their own, although nerves, age, lack of experience all rearing their heads as they participating in the first couple of matches.
With a single group one 9 teams, each match consisted of 5 games to 15 a full schedule lay ahead, for the novice team.

The first two games were narrowly lost 2-3. After playing three games without a victory, heads in the WMPC camp were drooping a little. As they started back after a short break, a little food and some well deserved water they went out with revived energy to win the next two matches 3-2. Matches 6 and 7 proved a little more difficult and we lost with our heaviest defeat, but close game to 12 and 13 against the strongest opposition heads can be held high. Last match of the Inter PC RAW group, going into the last game with 2 games all (scores 12 or 13s both ways), our closes match yet. All on the last game no pressure but, the early morning start, 7 matches and 14 games showed although a good battle was had, we took another defeat.

A very long, hot, tiring day was had by all. Parents now faced a long drive home (minimum of two hours). But with two wins and three close games the four PC lads can hold their heads high after an tough debut outing together.

Thanks go to the moms and dads for their support and making the long journey.

 

Boot Camp or Badminton Camp? ………. Are you brave enough to find out?

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Summer Badminton Camp – Are you up for it?

Summer camp

West Midlands Performance Centre is running a Summer Badminton Camp for for weeks during August. As you know the badminton season runs September to April with a long break over the Summer. After the success of last years summer camp the PC are running another one.

This years camp is bigger and better. Guest coach Steve Butler (Ex-International player – Warwickshire coach) will taking sessions, along with Lorraine Cole, James Lauder and Stephanie Cartwright-Randle.

The camp is devised to build up the level of fitness starting with week 1 and tapering down the physical element as we approach week 4 which is the build up to the start of the season.
Though the groups players will develop their movement, technique, skills, fitness, strength, efficiency, power and tactics for both singles and doubles over the 4 week program. The program icludes sessions in the dance studio to develop movement skills to music ( fun session but also very physical). Skills will be practiced some will be incorporated into routines, along with match play developing tactics.

The WMPC summer camp aims to provide value training for a full month to prepare the players for the season ahead. MORE details and booking forms HERE.

 

Spring – Half Term badminton coaching

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Spring Badminton Camp details are out.

If you have sampled the WMPC badminton camps in the past them you will know what to expect from the Spring half-term camp.

Spring badminton trainingThe Spring badminton camp details are out so take a look HERE and follow the links to the booking forms to get your place reserved. Places are not secured until payment is received by Lorraine Cole. The Spring 4 hour badminton session aimed at both the RAW and DEVELOPING groups of the PC and is also open to NON PC members and NON County players.

It is the ideal way of improving and boosting your badminton skills with a little coaching from Level 2 badminton coaches, Stephanie Cartwright-Randle and James Lauder of the PC.

To book place see HERE.

Charity badminton fundraiser

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Junior 24 hour badminton …….Charity fundraiser for the Philippines

Friday 3 January 14.00 saw over 30 children embark on a 24 hour session of badminton. The children all members of either the West Midlands Performance Centre (WMPC) and/or Warwickshire Schools Badminton Association (WSBA) in Birmingham.

CharityLike most events the idea started as a bit of banter which within minutes became a firm idea. The main focus was to raise money by playing badminton continuously on one court for 24 hours and donate funds raised to a charity. Stephanie Cartwright-Randle (coach) and Hassan Rajbhai (parent) set about making a list of essential tasks to be completed if the event was to go ahead. Finding a venue that was willing to open all night was going to be a challenge, but as Steph runs badminton sessions  she started by asking Synergy at the Calthorpe School, Highgate. Andrew Holden (manager), when asked was more than helpful and agreed to allow the use of the sports hall and leisure facilities FOC and stated that ‘I would feel honoured to be of assistance’.  Hassan focused on a charity and contacted John Todd at Mercy in Action who came along to start play on the day. Mercy in Action in conjunction with Who is Hussain is the charity that will benefit from the money raised. John gave a brief description of how he started the charity with his wife and explained how ‘People in the central region of the Philippines have been hit by a devastating storm that has left disaster and chaos in its wake.’ After thanking those present at the start he informed them that ‘Money raised by the children taking part in this Badminton Marathon will go towards helping those living in the Philippines affected by the storm’.

The venue (Synergy) boasts two courts and the intention was to keep one court continuously populated with juniors playing badminton, whilst the other court was open for challenges and general games. Parents, friends and colleagues from a variety of local badminton groups and clubs queued up throughout the 24 hours to play some of the older (15-17) juniors. Which proved very entertaining for the spectators.
The youngest player, Rohan Motwani (7) played his last game just before midnight (his mom waited patiently whilst resting her eyes) and was keen to return early Saturday. His brother Raghav played until almost 2.00 in the morning and returned just after 9. Family members Victoria (10), sister Selina (12) and dad Victor all participated in games on the main court throughout the 24 hours.
Charity Fundraiserraised money through sponsorship and one young player Nurali Rajbhai (12), who was so moved by the TV footage of the floors, set about raising money. He was so motivated and enthusiastic about the events that he raised over £400.00. Well done Nurali!
Total monies raised (to date) is £1400.00 with sponsorship still coming in.
There are many adults and parents that supported this events from its conception back in early December 2013 to its happening on 3rd/4th January. So thanks go to Hassan Rajbhai, Andy Holden, Derek Bevan, Rizvan Sidicot, Shabir Jivraj, Hafiz Meghjee, Victor Liang, all of the Junior players from WMPC and WSBA and parents.
Feedback from all concerned was very encouraging so similar events are already being discussed.