Zach Chung to be awarded Eric Raynor trophy at AGM this evening

The County annual AGM sees the award of the Eric Raynor Trophy. This award is made annually to the junior player who has been voted as having contributed most to the County this season - who has made excellent progress in the sport, enjoyed competitive success, and is considered to have set a good example both on and off court. Players can be nominated to the committee by the county’s coaches.

The Eric Raynor Trophy for 2022-23 is awarded to Zach Chung with the following citation:

Zach has been an extremely dedicated member of the County junior squad this year. He has attended training regularly, always has a determined spirit to improve himself, and has made real progress with his game. Zach has represented the county in the Shires league with more than a 50% win rate in the U16/17 team, and always conducts himself with excellent sportsmanship and a smile. He is a credit to himself and a deserved winner of the trophy this year.

Because Zach is studying for his exams and the AGM is online, an in-person award of the trophy is not possible. He was awarded the trophy at a recent country squad training session. Cambridgeshire Badminton Association wishes Zach many congratulations on his award, and all the best for his exams!

2022-23 Senior County Championships

For the 2022-23 Senior County Championships, Cambridgeshire entered three teams. Both Cambs 1 and Cambs 2 were playing in the Division 2 Central league and Cambs 3 in the Division 3 South East League.

The first team won 6 out of their 7 matches, with the final match being a 6-5 loss in the other team’s favour. The team picked up 51 rubbers out of a possible 77. The team were crowned champions of the Division 2 Central league and have gained promotion into Division 1 for the 2023-24 season! Since the introduction of the new SCC format, this is the first time that Cambridgeshire have had a team in Divsion 1.

First team players for the 2022-23 season: Ben Gardner, Campbell Wilson, Chris Lim, Chris Tustian, Oscar Keys, Scott Carter, Amber Ngo, Briony Whitfield, Natalie Taylor, Sara Cunnington and Zoe Foote.

The second team also battled it out in a strong Division 2 Central league and despite a few matches that could have very easily been a win with numerous rubbers going the full distance to three ends, Cambs 2 will unfortunately be relegated to Division 3 for the 2023-24 season. We hope to see them back in Division 2 for the 2024-25 season!

Second team players for the 2022-23 season: Harry Chan, Jack Curtis, Martin Crossley, Michael Duncan, Scott Carter, Simon Parker, Alison Meijers, Hannah Robertshaw, Polly Thisdell, Sara Moore, Stephanie Jong, Stephanie Potten and Xuan Liew.

The third team played in the highly competitive Division 3 South East league and after a number of closely fought matches, narrowly missed out on remaining in Division 3, so will be competing in Division 4 next season.

Third team players for the 2022-23 season: Ahmad Khalid Fansa, Alex Cloake, Chris Parker, Damien Dugmore, Luke Bennett, Oliver Norris, Sam Shepherd, Amber Ngo, Becky Donaldson, Jennifer Hewitt, Maheen Sattar, Polly Thisdell, Ruth Le-Fevre, Xuan Liew, Yolanda Xue and Yuki Lin.

A big thank you to all that represented Cambridgeshire this year, both old and new players! Another thank you to the team captains for their support this season: Campbell Wilson, Steph Jong, Simon Parker and Sam Shepherd.

Bring on the 2023-24 season!

Cambs O40s win historic National Championship

Cambridgeshire Badminton Association is celebrating an historic victory after success in the Badminton England Masters County Championships this weekend.

In a finals competition spanning the weekend held at the University of Birmingham, the county's O40 team triumphed in the finals of the season-long competition.

The Cambridgeshire team comprising Daniel Bates, Neil Place, Sam Scharf, James Wilson, Natalie Taylor, Sara Cunnington, Alison Meijers and Jenifer Hewitt reached the finals after winning the Midlands-East regional division held from October to February, comprising teams from Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The division was won with a clean sweep of victories, and only 7 games dropped all season.

This was then followed with success in a nail-biting national playoff against Staffordshire in Nottingham on 2nd April, with Cambridgeshire winning 7-5.

Finally, masters teams of all ages were brought together in Birmingham this weekend at the culmination of the Masters County Championships for the semi-finals on Saturday, and finals on Sunday. In the O40 category on Saturday Cambridgeshire achieved a commanding 10-2 semi-final win against Devon, putting them through to a final against Lancashire at lunchtime on Sunday. In another hard-fought match, Cambridgeshire reproduced the same 10-2 result to be crowned O40 National Champions.

This result marks the first time that a team from the county has won a national title at junior, senior or masters levels. The country has a thriving badminton representation, with four masters teams, three senior teams, and three junior teams all taking part in inter-county competition.

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Superb results this weekend for Cambs juniors at the Herts U13 Bronze

There were superb results this weekend for Cambs juniors at the Herts U13 Bronze. The #YoungGuns showed the way with Hillary Au Yeung winning bronze by reaching the semi final in the singles (losing to the eventual winner), and then securing a second bronze medal with partner Zifeng Liu in the mixed.

This shows the promise of Cambs' juniors coming through the newly expanded training system, and is even more impressive when Hillary is not yet 11, and Zifeng only recently turned 10!! 🥳✌️💪🏸

Many congratulations to Hillary and Zifeng!

Stephanie Faulkner to be awarded Eric Raynor Trophy at AGM

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The County annual AGM sees the award of the Eric Raynor Trophy. Whilst this award has been in abeyance during the Covid pandemic, it is typically made annually to the junior player who has been voted as having contributed most to the County this season - who has made excellent progress in the sport, enjoyed competitive success, and is considered to have set a good example both on and off court. Players are usually nominated to the Committee from coaches across the County, but this year with junior clubs returning slowly, it was selected by the Chair and County Coaches.

The Eric Raynor Trophy for 2021-22 is awarded to Stephanie Faulkner with the following citation:

Stephanie joined the County junior squad when training resumed after the Covid lockdowns, and had an immediate and significant impact on the group. Her approach to training is as determined as it is enthusiastic. Her attendance record was beyond exemplary, and matches the amount of effort she invariably puts into her practice when she is at the sessions.

Steph manages to blend hard work and a desire to improve, with a positive and fun attitude which rubs off on the squad around her. Steph has represented the County in the Shires competition at both U16>17 and U18>19 levels over the last year, winning several games recently as her experience and ability developed. She has also joined Ely as a regular club member where she contributes to the club nights. Steph is a real example to juniors (and indeed all of us) as to the benefits of commitment, effort, and a determination to improve.

Unfortunately, Stephanie will not be able to attend the AGM to receive her award - not least because it is being held on Zoom again this year, and also because she starts her GCSE exams the following day. Cambridgeshire Badminton Association wishes Steph many congratulations on her award, and all the best for her exams!

Badminton Inclusion Workshop: Saturday 28th May

Spaces are available for an inclusive badminton workshop from 1:30-4:30pm on 28th May at Trumpington Sports Centre.

Come and find out how to make your sessions more inclusive with this free workshop.

The workshop is hands on and you will have time on court and the ability to try out what it’s like using a sports wheelchair.

Places are limited and need to be booked: contact Philip on 07910 755135 or email: coaching@cambridgeshirebadminton.org

For more information see the flyer.

Cambs Disability Badminton Festival 19 September

On 19th September, to celebrate the incredible success of the GB Paralympic Badminton squad there was a Disability Badminton Festival held at Trumpington Sports Centre.

This event was supported by Cambridgeshire Badminton Association, Badminton England and led by Philip Gray - Head Coach of Aspire Badminton Club and County Coaching Co-ordinator.

The Disability Badminton Festival was a fun-filled day of skill-based activities and on-court games.

The event had 30 people attend, including Julie Pike from Badminton England. Most attendees had learning disabilities, some had autism, Aspergers, and/or ADHD, and two were physically disabled.