SUSSEX SCHOOLS BADMINTON NEWSLETTER

Issue 5 - May 2003

AND THEY THINK ITS ALL OVER………..

Welcome to the last newsletter of this season. We have had a very successful season, team and individual, as you will see from this issue. I hope you will all enjoy the summer (if we get one!) and I will look forward to starting again in September. If you have any news you would like me to include in the first issue of next season please let me know:- 4, Jubilee Road, Portslade, Sussex, BN41 1SU, 01273 388876, or e-mail george4t@hotmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To the Sussex Under 17 ICT (Inter County Tournament) Team. They came third and achieved their highest position in this tournament since Sussex last won in 1984. Each team member received a bronze medal along with Team Managers Terry Bagwell and Jo Floyd. The Sussex team have a piece of silver wear for a year in the form of a silver plate. (We will try not to lose it unlike Nottinghamshire!) The team were:-

This tournament is played over 4 days at Nottingham University, with 42 counties represented. The team left Sussex on Sunday 13^th April, (5 hours later than planned due to the owner of the mini bus going to an Antiques Fair for the day and forgetting that Terry has to collect the keys!) and returned tired but triumphant on the evening of Thursday 17^th April.

The play went as follows:-

Monday - 1^st Round - beat Avon 9-1, Oxfordshire 10-0, Leicestershire 8-2

Tuesday - 2^nd Round - beat Leinster 9-1, Northumberland 8-2, Greater Manchester 8-2, Hertfordshire 8-2.

This put us into the last four against Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Gloucestershire.

Wednesday - lost to Nottinghamshire 3-7 and Yorkshire 2-8.

We were then playing for a bronze medal against Gloucestershire on the final day. Luckily enough we had lost to Nottinghamshire and Jackie Coleman then allowed me use of their washing machine and tumble dryer to wash the Sussex team T-Shirts. Terry and Jo with the team looked a little bemused by the razzmataz of the final day, a stand had been erected and the last four teams were lined up and announced. Three awards were presented to dedicated members of three counties who had given a total commitment to junior badminton over a life time - Rhonna Robbins (Warwickshire)) John Foster (Yorkshire) and Tony Clarke (Hertfordshire) Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire were to play the final. Yorkshire just wining on points after a 5 all draw. Sussex beat Gloucestershire 7-3, a convincing win. A brilliant end to a long, tiring, but enjoyable week.

SHIRES LEAGUE FINALS

We achieved an outstanding result by all our teams reaching the finals, the under 13's were the first to go to Leicester to play their final although we had two of our top players missing we came a very commendable 5^th. Our team was a very young under 13 team and I am sure they will benefit from the experience.

The under 17's were the next team to travel to Leicester for their finals and reached their ICT place by coming 3^rd, losing to Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire (Yorkshire again winning but only by 4points this time to Nottinghamshire).

The under 15's were the last team and matched the under 17 team by also coming 3^rd which was a huge improvement on their Team Challenge position.

Under 13 Team:- Kim George, Felicity Boyce, Justin Thompson, Katie Walters, and Bridget Townsend. Andrew Hartridge, Peter Dembrey, Jamie Dunhill, William Harrington and Evan Gill.

Under 15 Team:- Felicity Porter, Sarah Boyce, Sarah Leach, Kirsten Read, and Lauren Holness. Josh Miles, John Nolan, Kevin Gill, William Hilton-Jackson, and Nick Wright.

Under 17 Team:- Heather Olver, Lauren Holness, Felicity Porter, Holly Bower, and Joanne Millward. Dean George, David and Matthew Askey, Luke Jones and Andrew Thomas.

The Shires League next season will expand, more Counties have entered. It does create competition rather than friendly games. After all its not the taking part that counts it’s the winning. Or is it?

TEAM CHALLENGE RESULTS

Both the Under 15 and Under 13 teams qualified for the finals in Luton in March. The Under 15's coming 7^th and the Under 13's finished 5^th.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

We now have 6 International players from our squads, the highest number I believe we ever have had, Heather Olver, Dean George, Kirsten Read, Luke Thomson, Bronwyn Powell and Kim George. Heather had a very successful 6 Nations tournament in Denmark helping the England Team to a silver victory and in the individual event lost to the number 1 seeds in the doubles with partner Jenny Wallwork (Yorkshire).

INTER PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT

13 Schools enter the above fielding 18 teams which made it twice as big as last year, which is very encouraging.

GRAND FINALS

Dean and Kim George, David Askey, Heather Olver, Luke Thomson, Bronwyn Powell, Kirsten Read have all reach the Grand Finals held at Milton Keynes (National Badminton Centre) Saturday and Sunday 24^th May and 25^th May. The Grand Finals are the players that have collected enough points through the season from tournaments to make it to the top eight in the three events, singles doubles and mixed. JC's and Nationals are worth more points. Yehlex sponsor this event and there are vouchers to be won for runners up and winners.

AGM

The Sussex Schools AGM is to be held at Portslade Sports Centre on 22^nd July at 7.45. Everyone is welcome at the AGM. If you have anything to be added to the agenda please write to Mrs Chris Cheeseman, 184 Terringes Avenue, Worthing, Sussex, BN13 1JR, before the 22^nd July with your item.

FOR SALE

Brand new Hi-Tec trainers, still in box with label on, a pair of size 9.5 Adrenalin Ultra Xcel trainers - £20.00. Please telephone 01273 388876 if interested.

TRIALS DATES

The dates for the trials next season are as follows:_

Saturday 6^th September - |Portslade Sports Centre

Under 11 West Sussex 12pm - 2pm

Under 13 11am - 2pm

Under 15 2pm - 4pm

Under 17 4pm - 6pm

Under 11 East Sussex - Heathfield Sports Centre

Saturday 13^th September

2pm-4pm

UNDER 11 NEWS

There are three players that have reached the Under 11 finals at Milton Keynes on 7^th June, Oliver Lambert, Robert Tring, and Bryony Morris. There are also three reserves from Sussex, Harry Hacking, Dominic Wiyanta and Felicity Boyce. Congratulations and good luck to all these players.

GOODBYE………….

….. to our Under 15 squad mangers John and Jo Floyd, our treasurer Tony Browne, and our secretary Chris Cheeseman. On behalf of the committee, parents and players I thank you for all your hard work and efforts over the years you have given Sussex Schools Badminton.

INTER COUNTY TOURNAMENT FINAL RESULT

Congratulations to Mid Sussex who won both the under 14 and under 17 age groups in this tournament.

And now I will say goodbye until next season, once again if you have any views and news you would like to share with others please let me know through the summer at the address at the beginning of this newsletter. An excellent web site to visit for up to date news and gossip through the country is badders.com - its worth a look.

………………………IT IS NOW