ENGLAND SCHOOLS' BADMINTON FINALS: TRURO SCHOOL’S VINTAGE SPORTING YEAR CONTINUES - AT CENTER PARCS, SHERWOOD FOREST, NEAR NOTTINGHAM

THE ENGLAND SCHOOLS’ Badminton Championships Finals, 2011, sponsored by Center Parcs GB, were staged at the Company’s magnificent Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest, Nr. Nottingham, on the Weekend of April 3/4.

Truro School, who won the South West of England Final, at the University of Exeter, Devon, on March 3, were thus representing the South West of England Region, in this most prestigious of Events, contested at the magnificent venue, managed by the Company, CENTER PARCS UK LTD, BADMINTON England’s main sponsor.

The Cornish School, who travelled up on the Friday, with an abundance of rackets, kit bags, snacks, fruit juices and the like, had no need to pack their bows and arrows, on this occasion, for their famous visit to Robin Hood Territory, world- renowned,

As anticipated, the National play, overall, was seen to be of an exceptionally high standard, with some of the Country’s most talented badminton youngsters, including Junior Internationals, competing in the famous Sherwood Forest Hall.

On Saturday, the first day, Truro School’s Key Stage 3 KS3. Years, 7, 8 and 9 (Under-14) Team, who are relatively inexperienced at junior county play, played valiantly, but finished ninth out of nine regional schools. However ninth best School in the Country, remains a superb result.

The Duchy’s well known School, competing in a group of three regions, won around 50% of the singles games contested, going down in two matches by a single point and five rubbers, by the same margin.

Isaac and Kieran duo unbeaten for season:

Moving on to the play, Truro’s Isaac Barrow and Kieran Westlake Outfit, won all their respective doubles rubbers; thus, having remained undefeated at county, regional and national level, all season – quite some achievement Boys.

Meanwhile, Vinodh Arumugam, took the scalp of Michael Taylor, a higher-ranked “Silver” player, from Lincolnshire, before Lancashire’s Mattew Kitteringham and proved to be an inspirational skipper all day, for Truro School.

Mr. Eric Brown, BADMINTON England’s Chair of the Youth and Sport Board,
earlier in the day, welcomed all the competitors in the age categories to the Finals, before acting as the Organiser and the Referee.

Mr. Brown reported that the standard of play was increasing from Year-to-Year, with some 1,600 English Schools and 23,000 players starting out for this year’s 2010/2011 Tournament.

Team England presence:

Team England International, Jenny Wallwork, part of the Nathan Robertson, Mixed Doubles combination, who are hoping to be selected for the London 2012 Olympic Games, was present to give support to the proceedings.

David Hunt, Truro School’s Team Manager and Head of 2nd Year, was full of praise for his young Team and reported:

“We gave it our best shot, most certainly and enjoyed the Day, and the ambience at the Sherwoof Forest Parcs, immensely.

“I visited Center Parcs, Nottingham, in the Spring of 2009, with a Truro Girls’ Team, who finished 6/9 and Center Parcs, this time around, once more, provided excellent hospitality and facilities, including the sports hall and the catering hall.

“Our gratitude is extended to the Company’s management and staff, including Mr. Colin Whaley, Sales and Marketing Director, along with Mr. Brown and BADMINTON England, as well.

“Congratulations to Stantonbury Campus School, Bucks, who became National champions in our KS3 Boys’ Under-14 .Tournament, including to Members, Jed and Harry Arksey, the England International Brothers, who have associations with Alan Williams’ popular Kerrier Open Tournaments, contested at my School

“A special word for the Penryn College Badminton Club, our fellow competitors, and friends in Kernow, who have also experienced a memorable season, under the direction of chief coach, Jon Wotton.

“Penryn College became the Regional runner’s up in the KS3 Girls’ Doubles Tournament, behind Bournemouth High School for Girls, the eventual National Champions, thus becoming the Joint 10th Best team in England – some achievement Jon and Ros. Bastian, Head of Sport and PE.”

Truro School’s Head Badminton coach, Mr. Clif Morcom, from Redruth, commented:

“All day, my charges gave 100%, in an inspirational performance, in the National finals and I am so very proud of them all.

“We couldn’t overcome the final hurdle, but to finish 9th Best School, in England, is a fantastic achievement. This has been an invaluable experience for the Boys and it will inspire them, undoubtedly, for their years ahead in Badminton.

TEAM TRURO SCHOOL, 2011:

Vinodh Arumugam, Year 9 (Captain);

Christopher Lin, Year 9;

Kieran Westlake, Year 9

Isaac Barrow, Year 8.

Team Manager: Mr. David Hunt, Head of 2nd Year;

School Coach: Mr. Clif Morcom, Redruth.

The WILSON Company sponsored the feather shuttlecocks.

Finally, Truro School, the Methodist Conference Co-educational Establishment, with a proud tradition in sport and having experienced a vintage sporting year, 2010/2011, reaching the finals of four prestigious England Schools’ sporting events:

Tennis, Netball, Badminton and the RFU’s Daily Mail England School’s Under-15 Rugby final, against The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Bucks. Well done, indeed.

John Tresidder. Reporter for
Truro School’s Badminton Team.

Yr 5 & 6 Badminton County Final

Primary Schools across our region have been having fun at Badminton Festivals run by Kath Wotton, Badminton Development Officer, Young Sports Leaders from various secondary schools and our Competition Managers. The top teams from three of our School Sport Partnerships (SSPs) gathered at Tregorrick Park this week for the Grand Final.

St Neot team

It was smiles and fun all the way when the teams from Kennel Vale, Alverton, Camelford, Shortlandsend, Newlyn, Godolphin, St Buryan, Egloskerry, Illogan and St Neot battled it out for the title of Primary Badminton Champions. The teams took up various challenges over the course of the afternoon; these included the Shuttle Keepy Uppy, Rapid Retrieve, Hand Zone rally and the Launch, Hit, Catch station.

Leaders from Penair School did a fantastic job of assisting the young players at each of the stations. Jon Wotton led the event and organised all the fun over the afternoon.

Gemma Wilson, Senior Competition Manager praised the event; she said “Kath and Jon continue to do a fantastic job of developing Badminton in our county. These primary events are fantastic fun for the children, but also give them a platform to show of their skills. Jon is able to talent ID and get those children interested in to their local club so they are able to play Badminton on a regular basis.”

Results:
Winning School, Godolphin

2nd place Kennall Vale

3rd place Camelford

Godolphin team pictured Chris, Sam, Daniel, Emily, Kara and Jenny.

Year 7 Gifted & Talented Badminton Competition County Final

A great afternoon of badminton was experienced by all those who attended the final of this competition, now in its second year, at Tregorrick Park, St Austell.

The following 5 mixed teams of 2 boys & 2 girls from schools spread right across the County took part, all either winners or runners up from their own School Sports Partnership events that have been taking place since October: Helston Community College, Mounts Bay School, Truro School, Launceston College & Wadebridge School.

The teams all played each other in a Round Robin format with many of the games very closely matched. The final match between Mounts Bay School & Truro School was the exciting decider as neither team had lost at this stage. Truro School overcame with a 4 – 2 win, their experience showing through in the end. Last years winners, Launceston College came 3rd with Helston Community College in 4th place and Wadebridge School in 5th position.

The event was run by Kath Wotton, County Badminton Development Officer who was delighted to see the vast improvement in the standard of play across the whole County in an age group where less than 2 years ago there was no badminton being played. ‘These are exciting times for our sport in Cornwall, the future is looking rosy with many more opportunities for our children to experience both excellent coaching & competition.’ Gemma Wilson, Senior Competition Manager & Rob Francis Competion Manager for Callington & Poltair also attended with support from Junior Sports leaders from Penrice School & Wadebridge School.

Winning Truro team.

Center Parcs National Badminton Competition, County final

Winning Teams.


Key Stage 3 Girls Event - Truro School


The snow stopped in time this week, for schools across Cornwall to gather at Carn Brea Leisure Centre for the Center Parcs National Badminton Competition, County final. The teams had already battled it out in the first round of competition, held at each of our School Sport Partnerships (SSPs); Teams were representing the Penryn, Poltair, Penwith and Callington SSPs.



Key stage 3 boys event - Launceston College


There were four events taking place during the day at the competition; Under 14 Girls, Under 14 Boys, Under 16 Girls and Under 16 Boys. The event was run on the day by Kath Wotton, Badminton Development Officer ably assisted by young sports leaders from Launceston College and Penryn Sports College. The cream of Cornwall’s badminton talent showcased some fast paced exciting matches in each of the age categories.


Key stage 4 girls event - Truro School

Gemma Wilson, Senior Competition Manager praised Kath and the Competition Managers in Cornwall, “Badminton has developed so much during the past three years, and this is all down to Kath working in partnership with the Competition Managers and our PE teachers. It’s fantastic we can now see our schools attending events like this, and representing Cornwall at the Badminton England, National School Championships Regional Final in Bournemouth on Friday, 27th February 2009.



Key stage 4 boys event - Truro School

The Primary Badminton Finals are due to take place at Tregorrick Park on 5th March this year.

Results
Under 14 Girls – 1st Truro School, 2nd Newquay Tretherras, 3rd Mounts Bay
Under 14 Boys – 1st Launceston, 2nd Penryn, 3rd Poltair, 4th Humphry Davy
Under 16 Girls – 1st Truro Schol, 2nd Humphry Davy, 3rd Newquay Tretherras
Under 16 Boys – 1st Truro School, 2nd Penrice, 3rd Mounts Bay

Year 5 & 6 Primary Badminton Festival

The year 5 & 6 Primary Badminton Festival for the Helston & Lizard Primary Schools took place on Friday 30th January at Helston School. The event was organised by Kath Wotton, who was helped on the day by the excellent Junior Sports Leaders from the School.

The following 9 schools took part in what was a fantastic afternoon, full of excitment..............Breage CP, Godolphin Cross CP, Halwin CP, Porthleven CP, St Michaels CP, Nansloe CP, Mullion CP, Grade Ruan CP & Trannack CP.Godolphin CP won the event for the second year in a row, pipping Porthleven into 2nd place by 3 points! Nansloe came third.

Pictured are the winning Godolphin team with their proud teacher, Colin Snook, who is a badminton fan & runs a club at the school. They will go onto represent their area in the County final, to be held at Tregorrick Park, St Austell on Thursday 5th March.

Yr 7 Gifted & Talented Competition

The yr 7 gifted & talented badminton competition for the Callington Schools Sports Partnership took place on Thursday 21st January at Saltash Community School. Mixed teams of 2 boys & 2 girls from Launceston, Wadebridge, Saltash & Bodmin took part.

The winners were Launceston College & the runners -up were Wadebridge School. Both teams will represent Callington SSP in the County Final on Thursday 12th February at Tregorrick Park, St Austell.

Thanks again to Michelle Cook & her wonderful group of leaders from Saltash School who helped officiate on the day with Kath Wotton & Rob Francis (Competition Manager)

CALLINGTON SSP CENTER PARCS NATIONAL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Callington SSP competitors.

The Callington Schools Sports Partnership round of the Center Parcs National Schools event took place on Dec 11th at Saltash School.

Winning Callington Teams.

Launceston Team.

Once again, record numbers took part making for an excellent afternoon of exciting badminton. The schools involved were: Bude, Callington, Launceston, Liskeard, Saltash and Wadebridge. Callington School shone out on the day by winning the following events:
Girls years 7,8 & 9
Boys years 10 & 11
Girls years 10 & 11

This is a testament to the hard work badminton Coach, Malcolm Cooper has invested at Callington over many years, with strong support from assistant coach, Ken Henley. Launceston School also had a great afternoon with their boys year 7,8 & 9 team winning. This team will join the Callington teams in the County final at Carn Brea LC on 5th Feb. The event was run by Kath Wotton (BDO), Rob Francis (Competition Manager) with support from PE Teacher, Michelle Roberts who provided the Junior Sports Leaders. Jenny Marchant also came along and supported on the day.

Kath Wotton - Cornwall Badminton Development Officer.