News

Newcastle Schools Under 14 & Under 18 Badminton Tournament

This Tournament will now be held on Sunday 18 th May at Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence at Benfield School.
Entry forms available from PE Teachers or download
Closing date for entries is 14th May.

Northumberland Leagues

The final league placings have been published. Well done to Elmfield who have won both the Mixed and Ladies Premier Divisions with Telecom picking up the Mens Premier Title.

League winners with full results available to download.

Last Graded Tournament of the Season

NBA's B and D-Graded Singles Tournament - 20th of April 2008:
On Sunday 20th of April, at Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence, Newcastle , the NBA will host a B and D-graded Singles tournament
Full details

Calling All Female Badminton Players

In the superb sports hall at John Spence Community High School , a new badminton club has started for women and girls aged over 14. The playing sessions are relaxed and friendly, with helpful hints given when required.
The group has gradually been growing, and after the 2 week school holiday break, the sessions will begin again:

Tuesday 22 April - 24th June
Session times: 22nd and 29th April - 8 pm until 10 pm
6th May - 24th June 7 pm until 9 pm .

After a summer break, the sessions will restart in September.
New members are welcome. If anyone is interested in joining these very sociable sessions, they should contact the Badminton Development Officer on 0191 2903358 for more information

Latest results for the juniors from the AGT tournaments
Results

Church High School Badminton Girls through to National finals

On Tuesday 18 March, the winning teams from the Northumberland County
Inter-School Championship Finals represented the County in the Regional
Final in Middlesbrough. The boys from Benfield Sports College and the
girls from Church High School were up against formidable opposition from Durham
and Yorkshire.
The Year 10/11 girls from Church High School played superbly to
comfortably defeat the other teams in their section, demonstrating the strength in
depth of their team. They only lost one game in all of their matches. They
now go forward to the first ever National Final in Derby on 24 April. The
younger girls from years 7,8,9 were unlucky, finishing second in their
section to Sheffield High, whose team contained a number of very strong
Yorkshire County players.

The Benfield boys teams played well but both finished third in their
sections, which were won by strong teams from Yorkshire.

Church High School Girls Badminton winners of North East Regional Schools Championships

Girls from Church High School with their trophy.
Rachael Oswald; Emma Reaston; Victoria Brewis; Olivia Topham; Kathryn Tyler

U17 ICT Report

The U17 Inter Counties championship was held 27 -30 th March in Nottingham.

Match Report and Team Photo

Junior Badminton Bonanza

A junior Badminton Bonanza is being held on 10th May at John Spence Sports Hall. Entry is for children in school years 4 - 13 but who have not represented the County at any time. Closing date for entries 6th May.

Full details and entry form

Congratulations to Northumberland's newest premier club

Northumberland Badminton Association now has 4 Accredited, or rather PREMIER Clubs, as John Watt Academy , based at Cramlington Sporting Club, have just learnt that their application has been successful. Thanks to all who contributed to the club's excellent folder.

John Watt Academy join Elmfield, Whitley Bay , and Newcastle Medicals as the County's Premier Clubs. Hopefully more will follow suit in the near future. Any club interested in becoming a Premier Club should contact Norma Waterfield, the Badminton Development Officer, on 0191 2903358

Rising Star Award for Ira

!0 year old Ira Banerjee was presented with a Sport Newcastle Rising Star Award at the Annual Sport Newcastle Dinner at Newcastle's Civic Centre. Nominated by Northumberland's Development Officer and County Secretary Norma Waterfield, Ira thoroughly deserved her award as she has had a fantastic season so far, rising to number 4 in the national rankings at Under 11, and winning a number of Singles and Doubles events in Badminton England tournaments. Ira is triple U14 County Champion. Ira's coach Rob Wetherell was at the Dinner to see Ira receive her award. We all wish Ira the best of luck in the forthcoming National Championships

Ira Banerjee pictured with coach Rob Wetherell

Launch of new Sports Academy in North Tyneside

Exciting New Opportunities For Junior Badminton Players (16+)To Pursue Their Studies And Receive Top Coaching At Tyne Met College. Full details

Yonex Volunteer of the Year 2007

Congratulations to Steve Abbott - Steve fought off stiff opposition to become the winner of the award which was presented at a ceremony at the All England Championships on Saturday 8th March by Chairman of Yonex.

Steve Abbott finally received recognition for the huge amount of voluntary work he undertakes for Northumberland Badminton Association when he received the Yonex Volunteer of the Year Award 2007 at the recent All England Badminton Championships in Birmingham . Steve was presented with his award and some Yonex equipment at a star studded reception at the NIA attended by a number of past All England Champions including Northumberland's Elliott Stuart. He was also treated to a top class dinner by Yonex, sponsors of the All England Steve was nominated by Norma Waterfield, County Development Officer and County Secretary, who said "I am absolutely delighted that Steve's massive contribution to badminton in Northumberland has been finally recognised and rewarded". Steve never has a free weekend during the badminton season, he is always either transporting players to a County match elsewhere in England , Scotland , Wales or the Isle of Man , or running a county match or tournament here in Newcastle . He also attends meetings during the week - as well as having a full time job!!

Steve Abbott with Yonex Voluntee 2007 Trophy

Steve Abbott pictured with L_R Bob Pearson, Ian Ferguson and Elliott Stuart

Steve Abbott (second from right) pictured with (L-R) Bob Pearson, Ian Ferguson and Elliott Stuart - former All England Champion and Northumberland player

National Inter-Schools Championships Northumberland County Round For Key Stage 4

Church High School And Benfield Victorious Again.
Following the hugely successful Key Stage 3 County Final at John Spence High School, Westgate College was the venue for the Northumberland County Round of the National Inter-Schools Badminton Championships for Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11).
Full Report

Benfield Boys Team - winners of Northumberland national Inter Schools Badminton Tournament 2008

Church High School Girls Team winners of Northumberland Inter Schools Badminton Event

Anglo-Scottish under 12 team event

The latest U12 Anglo Scottish team event was held at Ashington on 2-3 rd February 2008.
For a very young team that had just come together a few weeks ago, it deserves full credit for working extremely hard in situations that could be very overwhelming for young kids. Except for Lanarkshire who were our first opponent, our team secured wins against all teams.
Full Report

Northumberland U12 Team at Anglo Scottish Team Event 2-3rd February 2008