The second North Tyneside Social Badminton tournament of the season took place recently in the sports hall at John Spence Community High School, North Shields. It attracted 40 players, some of whom travelled from Morpeth and south of the River Tyne to take part. The tournament was once again organised and run by the excellent volunteers from Bewicke BC, which plays in the school sports hall on Tuesday and Friday evenings during the season, and also runs a summer club, assisted by volunteer helpers from North Tyneside Badminton Partnership.

Whilst there were a number of participants who have taken part in previous tournaments, it was good to see some new players taking part for the first time. It was especially good to see competing for the very first time, two deaf players!! Deaf Awareness North East is a member of the North Tyneside Badminton Partnership, which has been supporting this organisation since it joined the Partnership. To help the 2 deaf players, who were accompanied by their coach and an interpreter, flipchart scoreboards were provided by the Partnership. These were very well used and were much appreciated by all players, not just the two deaf players.

Initial games were played in groups in the Men’s and Mixed Doubles events, which had respectively 13 and 11 pairs taking part, followed by semi-finals and finals. The 5 pairs in the Ladies Doubles event played each other in order to determine the winners and runners up. All winners and runners up received glass trophies, presented by Paul Harrison of Bewicke BC. Jessica Dyson and Monika Prezch were once again victorious in the Ladies Doubles, after winning the event in the October tournament. Simon Entwistle and Jessica likewise once again won the Mixed Doubles! Simon almost became a double winner, just losing the Men’s Doubles final 20-21!!

Andy Craigie, one of the two deaf players, said afterwards “We did enjoy ourselves, despite losing every game! It was a good opportunity and new experience for us both and we are keen on returning to the next tournament, hope we manage to win at least some games! I do hope we get more of the deaf people attending and participating in future badminton tournaments.”

This was yet another highly successful, well organised and enjoyable social tournament. The atmosphere was very friendly indeed. Players were most grateful to the tournament organisers and helpers, with many much appreciated comments from players as well as from their supporters, and queries as to when the next tournament will be!

RESULTS OF FINALS Games were played initially in groups with knockout semi-finals then finals.

LADIES DOUBLES

Jessica Dyson and Monika Przech defeated Mrugaya Mulay and Yashawi Vermula 21-9

MEN’S DOUBLES

Ian and Reece Huntley defeated Simon Entwistle and Mark Armstrong 21-20

MIXED DOUBLES

Simon Entwistle and Jessica Dyson defeated Ian Huntley and Sophie Fowdy 21-14