48 hours

EXCITEMENT –  42 HOURS before the Summer Camp starts.

48 hoursEnjoy your weekend while you can as Monday morning, August 7th 10.00am I will be there to see the start. West Midlands Performance Centre starts its three weeks, of four days a week and four hours a day training. Hope you are as excited as I am.

Lorraine Cole is not only working with Julia Mann (GB and England team squad coach) but has other guest coaches running sessions during the three weeks. Learn what to eat and when, how to warm up properly, mentally prepare yourself for an important match…..and much more.

The sessions are over eight courts in the new hall, at the University of Birmingham’s NEW sport and fitness centre. Impressive building with lots going on and a Costa coffee on site. Spend a little time get there early and have a look round. If you have not yet chosen which university you want to attend then see what is on offer.

Emerging Fight Hard

Inter PC Manchester sees the Emerging team put up a hard Fight.Badminton fight

Manchester 2 July 2017 Inter PC where the West Midlands PC Emerging group have a fight and a half.

The team four of our most dedicated player, Joe B, Matt B, Abdul R and Victoria L. All travel to Manchester some have a longer journey than others with a coach ride leaving home at 4.30am….as I said dedicated.

A quick briefing saw an Emerging group of 6 teams, North Cumbria, Potteries, East Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside and of course WMPC. So a full on day with some very strong opposition, let the battles commence as the fight is on.

Two games were lost 1-4 but with 22-24, 19-21 as loosing scores, the match defeat does not tell the full story. The of course we won two games with a couple of 22-20s, 21-18s ans several 15’s more close games. The match against Manchester saw the biggest battle with the score at 2 games all it was down to the last end. Nail biting stuff but to no avail, 2-3 to Manchester and the fight was over. All said and done a good days badminton with loads of close calls and great experience.

Along journey home! Well done all.

Developing team struck with bad and good luck

luckHard luck strike the Developing team at Inter PC.

The Developing group at the Inter PC in Manchester was the biggest group of the tournament. The WMPC Developing group caught bad luck. Five PC players were selected to attend the tournament on Sunday 2nd July. After last year when we only selected four players and one dropped out on the day, it was hard then. So this year we thought five players to cover any drop outs. Good job we did. One of the strongest please was hit with an injury so luck was looking to be against us. So with four players we set about the task at hand.

The draw did not go our way so we have some strong opposition in our Group. The lads Caleb, Zak, Dileep and Charlie had got several tough matches on the horizon, but they were up for a battle, figures crossed the results could go their way. Unfortunately not to be.

Out of the 4 matches and 20 games played, all the games were hard fought and played well. Only winning two singles and three doubles games does not at all reflect the individual game scores loosing 21-23 and 23-25 with several looses to 17, 18 and 19. There was the odd bleep when the luck was all one sided but the boys played well. It was great to see how they had improved. Although there were no medals/trophies on the day at least one player can hold his head up after being nominated twice by the opposing teams, out of the four matches as Sports Person so well done Charlie.

ONE

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 WainwrightJoe 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

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

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.

THREE Weeks to go

With less that THREE weeks before the Summer Camp starts.

THREEAugust 7th see the first day of the Infamous West Midlands Performance Centre Summer Camp for 2017.

Full details of the WMPC Summer Camp can me found HERE.

Talking about top notch training Julia Mann, one Badminton England’s GB and England coaches will be leading the camp this year. So your training/coaching will be of the highest quality. Do you really want to miss this?………..NO! 

Some of the players who have booked on to the Camp are also making the most of their visit my entering the Senior Bronze Tournament. Enter the tournament HERE from the Badminton England site. Where you can enter ALL three disciplines (Singles, Doubles and MIXED). Alternatively enter the PC’s TEAM competition. Check out the website for details.
All of the events are being held at the University of Birmingham’s NEW sport and Fitness centre.

With less that three weeks to go you can not afford to waste any time……………….!

Raw Success at recent Inter PC in Manchester

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.

 

Pink shuttles, powerplay = NBL

Q. Where n when can you find Pink shuttles?

A. Birmingham, NBL Finals Day 8th May 2016.

With cheerleaders, pink shuttles, Powerplays, quickfire scoring, and tie-breaks, the AJ Bell NBL is all about badminton as a great value entertainment.
So, join fans who love the drama to watch top class players like Team GB stars Chris Adcock and Rajiv Ouseph, who want to get you on the edge of your seat!
Finals Day sees the league’s top 4 teams featuring top England stars and European talent go head to head in an all day shoot-out to be crowned league champions.
Loughborough Sport, Birmingham Lions, University of Nottingham Badminton and reigning champions Team Derby head to the Barclaycard Arena with hopes of winning badminton’s newest piece of silverware…but who will be last team standing at the Ultimate Smashdown? 

pink
Birmingham Lions are through to the NBL Finals on Sunday 8th May 2016. The finals are held here in Birmingham at the Barclay Card Arena,  Tickets are available HERE. Dont miss out on some exciting badminton action. Support your local team in your favourite sport.
Birmingham Lions have been indebted to Fontaine Chapman and Toby Penty this season, with the franchise’s men’s and women’s singles both securing a 4-1 win-loss event record.  However, the doubles pairings haven’t fared as well, as all three pairings finished the season with a losing ratio. In front of a home crowd and with the likes of Heather Olver and Sarah Walker expected to line up, they will hope to come to the party.
Season 2 of the AJ Bell National Badminton League (NBL) reaches a thrilling finale at the Barclaycard Arena on Sunday May 8. With the new Power9 scoring expect quickfire action, PowerPlays, timeouts and sudden death tie-breaks as the league’s top four teams go head to head to be crowned champions.
There’s two Play-Offs and a Championship Final to enjoy so it really is the Ultimate Smashdown. Who will be last team standing? Purchase your All Day ticket for easy access to 10 hours of top class, live action and great value entertainment.

Developing Team 2 – Manchester Inter PC

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.