Baldock Junior Badminton Club Celebrate achieving 'Silver Club' with Natalie Munt

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England Number 1, Natalie Munt (far left), found time in her busy international programme on Saturday 15^th July to attend Baldock Junior Badminton Club's celebration of achieving BADMINTON England Silver club status. 

Badmintonians and Gadebridge Open Day with Free Badminton and Coaching Hints and Tips, Saturday 8th July at Hemel Hempstead Sport Centre

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Many adults and juniors turned up at Badmintonians' and Gadebridge's Open Day at Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre on Saturday 8th July to have free badminton play and coaching. Both clubs were keen to give something to the community while looking for potential new members.

Herts coaches included Phil Hammond (pictured R), Bernard Hatt and Dave Bartlett.  Brian Gibb, Badmintonians. Liz Bateman, Gadebridge, said  many club members had turned out to help and the event was an enjoyable success in terms of new players attending and the clubs finding new members.

Natalie Munt and Donna Kellog coached 16 county Juniors, Saturday 8th July at Herts Sports Village 

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The funeral of Ray Learney a senior coach of the Eastern Region took place on Friday 7th July attended by some 230 relatives and friends

Ray, who died while coaching and holidaying in Tenerife, provided coaching to many hundreds of Herts players of all abilities, junior and senior.  He will be remembered for his personal kindness to so many above and beyond his professional commitments.

Ten new Level 1 Coaches, 9th July

Ten mainly Herts players all passed their  Level 1 course at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, on Sunday 9^th July, with tutor Sue Rutson, bottom left, organised and attended by Herts BDO, Tom Burton, top right.

Young Coach of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year

Presentations to the winners, Young Coach of the Year, Rhian Blowers, and Young Volunteer of the Year Oscar Lam were made at HSBA AGM 27th June. (Rhian's was deferred to the Swifts AGM the following Friday.)

John Smith leaves Coaching in Herts after some 20 years

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At the HSBA AGM in June HSBA Chairman, Ken Winchester, presented John Smith with various gifts celebrating and thanking him for his many years of irreplaceable  involvement with junior development and in particular the HSBA squads. John, replied that he'd enjoyed every minute of it - well almost - and hoped we'd all stay in touch!

Herts Youth Games - a Great Success!

On Saturday 20th May the 10 Herts Districts entered teams of boys and girls - in the badminton tournament - as part of the overall Herts Youth Games involving 12 sports held at Herts Sports Village and sponsored by Herts Sports Partnership.  

10 District teams took part - not all fitted in the picture!  Natalie Munt who awarded the Gold medals is centre back row. 

In total a 150 matches were played between 10am and 4:30pm.  All children played their socks off and should be proud of their play wherever their team finished.  

The Districts were finally ranked after the second round as:  

1 Hertsmere  2 St Albans  3 North Herts  4 Welwyn Hatfield  5 Dacorum 

6 Watford  7 East Herts  Three Rivers  Broxbourne  Stevenage

Medals were awarded to the top 3 teams - Bronze, by Christine Neyndorf, Director of HSP, Silver by Graham Gooch, International Cricket Star, and Gold by Natalie Munt, UK Olympic Badminton team.  Natalie also helped with scoring and signed many autographs - on just about anything.  Heartfelt thanks go particularly to all Team Managers, Coaches, and helpers  running up to the event and on the day.  Also thanks to HYG Event Organiser, Annie Thomas, supporting people like Sports Development Officers, Bob Green for the computer program, Phil Gray, and many others.  More details in the HBA Newsletter to be published 1st week of June.  See, more badminton tournament photos. Also, the HYG webpages: 

InterCounty Player of the Year Awards at the Year-end Bash, Saturday 6th May

Helen Steer - All with HBA President Bob Welsh

Our Inter-Counties 40+ Vets - Finalists this weekend

Herts U17 Squad Win Silver in the Inter-Counties Tournament

This was held at Nottingham University 10^th to 13^th April. 38 Counties took part. We were seeded 2, and after winning 9 matches we reached the final against Yorkshire where the team lost 6-4. The photo shows the team with their trophy and silver medals.

Tony Clarke (manager)

James Reynolds, Victor Liew, Nigel Tao , Gregg Roantree, Kamran Haq, Pat Walker (assistant manager)

Victoria Stokes, Charlotte Willis, Katie Comras, Rachel Warnes and Laura cousins.  

Herts Under 21's Claimed The National Title, Saturday 22nd April

They were successful in the 2 regional rounds played during the season and reached the Finals played at Babington College , Leicester on Saturday 22^nd April. They beat Devon 6 – 0 and both Hampshire and Staffordshire 4 – 2. The photo shows the team with their trophy and gold medals.

Damian Bruce-Hickman , Jack Lipyeat, Jo Millward, Anthony Moye, Kate Lester , Nicola Farr , Emma Stokes , David Westwood , and Team manager, Colin Walker - with the cup!

Gail and Nathan on eBay!!

Author: Badders.com

Herts had 3 U17 players in the winning 6 Nations Team in Sweden last month

This was the first time in 27 years that Denmark had not won the 6 Nations U17 event. Victor Liew, Laura Cousins and Katie Comras all played in the team event.

the winning team: Laura Cousins, Katie Comras, Victor Liew, Michelle Cheung, Sarah Walker, Samantha Ward, Gabby White, Chris Adcock, Jamie Bonsels, Arthur Cheung, Marcus Ellis, Chris Hotchen.  Coaches Rebecca Pantaney and Pete Bush. Team Manager Jens Grill

The England team this year over came all obstacles with an excellent team performance beating France 8-1 Netherlands 6-2 Sweden 7-2 a nail biting match with Denmark 5-4 and finally beating the German team 6-3.

Herts successful 50+ Vets Team

Herts Senior First Team Battle it Out to Finish 3rd in  Inter-county  Premier A Division

Over the weekend of 8^th April Herts' first team did well against strong opposition and finished the season 3rd. This was in spite of Gail Emms being unable to play for the county this season owing to international match clashes.  See HBA June Newsletter and BE website for further details.  

Congratulations to Swifts Junior BC and Baldock Junior BC who have both achieved Badminton 'Silver' the Clubmark standard.

Tom Burton, Badminton Herts Development Officer, reports that  this also means that together with Comets Junior BC who  achieved Clubmark in December Badminton Herts have met their BE target of 3 Silver clubs by end of March 2006 - a great achievement.

See how Herts' Gail Emms helped achieve Commonwealth Games Successes including Gold

- and Gail's & Nathan's Masterclass on the smash and serve on the BBC website

Emily Westwood does really well in AROS Junior Cup 2006

 Starting on Thursday 13th April ten Under 13s, including Herts' Emily Westwood, World Futures Bronze Programme players were selected to represent England at the 2006 AROS Junior Cup being held at Viby Badminton Klub in Denmark.  Emily won through to the last 8 in singles and women's doubles and last 16 in mixed.  See report on BE website

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Attendees: Back row: Kate Lester, Kevin Chakoadza, Kelly Matthews, Karen Redway,  Keith Leuzey, Bernard Hatt, Lynda Clegg, Wayne Goss, 

Front row: Tony Haines, Brian Jackson, Jay Marshall, Andrew Lewis.

Tutors: Ray Learney, Left and Frances Morrison Right.

Held 5, 12 and 26th Mar, 7 at Jim MacDonald Centre, Hatfield and Assessment May 06 at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre.

3- County Junior Handicap Tournament at Watford

James Reynolds has won his 1st international gold medal

 Dean George has won 2 titles at the U19 Nationals

 Liza Parker has won the doubles at the Croatian Open

Emms wins twice to end England's 20-year wait - to beat Denmark - and it even got on BBC TV!  see BE website

A10 School Sports Partnership Launch, 10th March

Ray Learney, above R., provided coaching sessions for some 110 juniors at the launch of the A10 Sports Partnership, 10th March.

Every Day Sport - for some!

BADMINTON England (BE) and Herts Sports Partnership (HSP) co-sponsored and Tom Burton (BE) and Fiona Castree (HSP) organised for 12 new players to enjoy 3 Sunday coaching session to improve their skills up to club-entry.  The programme is part of the government's 'Every Day Sport' scheme and the coach was East Herts' Doug Clark (far right). Several Hertford Area League clubs popped in and/or offered participants potential club places.

An enjoyable coaching session at Bamintonians, 8th February

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On Saturday18th Feb., Badmintonians, at Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead, enjoyed a 3-hour coaching session from County 2nd Team member Kate Lester (far right) and HBA Coaching Co-ordinator Dave Bartlett (middle, back row). Chairman, Brian Gibb (far left). said "although they had few new attendees the session was really enjoyable, if anyone is interested in coming along to a club night session please ring tel: 01442 262702."  

Want to know what Badminton Developments are going on in your District of Hertfordshire, or Countywide?  Click on the updated 'Club Organisers and Coaches Page' and see the Development Reports   

17 new Assistant Coaches from Herts Badminton Association  course at Watford Girls Grammar, Sunday 12th Feb

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The 17 new coaches with tutors Sue Rutson, Frances Morrison, Herts Badminton Officer, Tom Burton,  and County Coach Development Officer Dale Welch. The coaches are hoping to work with their communities to increase badminton participation.

Taster sessions with national star Kate Lester and HBA coach, Dave Bartlett, at Badmintonians, Lockers Park School, Hemel Hempstead, Saturday 18th February, 2-5pm.

Kate Lester

Badmintonians Badminton Club is hosting this session for players of improver-level or above, who may be interested in joining Badmintonians Badminton Club.  If you are interested please, if possible, phone to say you’re coming: Brian: 01442 262702, Kay: 01442 390940, or just turn up. Click on Badmintonians website for and more details and here for a map.

Attendees came from all backgrounds and ages.  Tutor, Ray Learney, back row centre, provided a very enjoyable course enriched with his extensive experience.

Badminton Herts Development Officer, Tom Burton, said, "All of the participants will go and help somewhere: it is great to see so many players giving something back to their sport". For details of future courses and contacts go to the Coaching section of the website.

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Herts Badminton Development Officer, Tom Burton (far right) presented the BADMINTON England Silver Club Award and Neil Deans (next to Tom), Herts Sports Partnership, presented the Sport England Clubmark Award at a short ceremony at he end of club night on 15th January.  Malcolm Fraser (2nd from left) Chairman HBA  and Angela  Blowers, Vice Chairman HSBA also spoke of  the importance of the Award.   

Comets JBC Chairman, Dave Bartlett, said, "Thank you for this great news of Comets JBC achievement.  We will, in due course, be glad to promote and maximise the Silver benefits for our club not only through working with BDO, Tom Burton, and RDM, Chris Colby and BADMINTON England, but Herts Badminton Association, Herts Sports Village, Herts Sports Partnership, Welwyn Hatfield District Council and Herts County Council.  All of these groups will we're sure be glad to have an accredited club.  And by giving Comets publicity it will help not only us but help promote Badminton generally with these same groups and the community in general." See announcement in BE News, Welwyn Hatfield Times and Comets JBC webpage.

Change of scoring to 'Rally Points' system decided by IBF, 13 December 05

The International Badminton Federation have decided that the scoring system will change to matches of 3 x 21points where each 'win' scores a point and the service changes sides: also just one service per side in doubles. The service is started in the right side if the score is an even number and left if not. The IBF will make this trial stage permanent if all agree at the International Uber Cup tournament in May.  For a more detailed explanation see BE and World Badminton websites.  This need not affect league and club badminton at least for the immediate future.  Tell us what you think and we'll post some of the emails here and in the HBA Newsletter end of January.

County First Team versus Lancashire, Yorkshire and Hampshire, 12th & 13th NOVEMBER 2005 at Milton Keynes

Herts Team:  Kelly Matthews, Natalie Munt, Laura Cousins, Katie Comras, Suzanne Rayappan, Richard Doling, Phil Hammond, Brian Lockie, Adam Skeggs & Dean George

Dean George made his county debut and won all three mixed with Natalie Munt. Excellent start. Natalie returned from China on Friday and added strength to the ladies. Suzanne Rayappan returned from China at 5am today, arrived home in Milton Keynes at 7am and was at our venue at 10am. THANK YOU SUZANNE

Special mention to Richard Doling who played singles, doubles & mixed in all three matches - what endurance!

Laura Cousins & Katie Comras both in the under 17 squad did very well. Laura won both her singles and Katie doubles with Natalie & Suzanne.  Rachel Howard won both her singles on Saturday, but did not play on Sunday.

Thanks to our President for his support along with parents, partners, family members & supporters. We are getting a crowd these days.

Paul Widdicombe, Chairman of Selectors

See detailed County Match Reports (and link from 'InterCounty Diary on main page)

17 attended the Assistant Coaches Course on Sunday 27th November, at Berkhamsted Sports Centre

The BADMINTON England Level 1 course was organised by Herts Badminton Development Officer, Tom Burton, and the tutor-assessors were Ray Learney and Francis Morrison.  All the participants passed and will be going on to help with the coaching in clubs or schools. The next level 1 is 15th January and a Level 2 will be announced shortly - see the coaching course section of the website for more information.

Herts Sports Partnership Sponsors Badminton in 'Women's Sport for FUN' programme

Herts Sports Partnership sponsored a women's badminton session as part of its programme of encouraging women into sport.  Gill Bartlett took the very successful session at Stanborough school, 7th November.  All participants had an enjoyable time and received a handout on local badminton clubs and other women's badminton sessions. 

Herts 3rd Team 12, Middlesex 2nd Team 3

Paul Widdicombe, Chairman of Selectors

See detailed County Match Reports (and link from 'InterCounty Diary, left)

Herts County Senior Match 30th October 2005

COUNTY 2nd's & 4th Team get HERTS off to a winning start at HSV on Sunday 16th October in the Inter County Championship.

Paul Widdicombe, Chairman of Selectors

Herts County Senior third team continued the Counties excellent start to the season

FREE BADMINTON HINTS AND TIPS

- were provided when Hastoe Badminton Club in association  with Hertfordshire Badminton Association held an Open Afternoon at Tring Sports Centre, Saturday 10th September, with the aim of attracting new members.  Hastoe club members came and played with visitors and Herts BA provided coaches.

L-R: John Draper (Hastoe), Sue Barrett (Hastoe, Event Organiser), Dave Bartlett (HBA Development and Coaching Co-ordinator), Frances Morrison (Level 1 & 2 Badminton Awards Tutor-assessor and Berkhamsted JBC organiser), Kelly Matthews  England Women's singles (ranked 4th 2004, and coach), Tom Burton, HBA Development Officer, Carol Cullen (Hastoe Club Organiser).

Players came mainly from Dacorum but also from as far away as Letchworth and everyone had a great time.  Tom Burton was keen to hear about real club issues and various aspects of club development were discussed.  At the end Sue said the club was very pleased with the session and that several of those who attended expressed intentions of coming along to their club at Hastoe on Wednesdays.  Contact Sue: 01442 851534. 

A Really Great Herts Open at the Weekend, 10^th September

It was one of the best if not the best (and over-subscribed) Herts Open Tournaments at the weekend at HSV.  In the foreground is the Ladies finals with a Herts player on both sides of the net!.  See write-up in the October HBA Newsletter. 

Tom Burton, Badminton Herts Development Officer

BADMINTON England, Herts Badminton Association (HBA) and Herts Schools Badminton Association (HSBA) enthusiastically welcomed Tom Burton as our full time Badminton Development Officer (BDO) who started on Tuesday 6th September.  Centre of photo below, Tom is seen with colleagues at BADMINTON England HQ, Milton Keynes on Wednesday.

L-R: Dave Bartlett, Badminton Herts Chairman, Malcolm Fraser Chairman HBA, Tom Burton BDO, Chris Colby, BADMINTON England Regional Manager, Paul Widdicombe, HBA Chairman of Selectors.

Tom, who has a BA (Hons) in Leisure and Sports Studies, experience in coaching and administration, lives in Kings Langley, and will be seen at various events in the coming weeks. 'Badminton Herts' is the name for the umbrella Development Committee which will be managing our development.  It comprises HBA, HSBA, BADMINTON England and representatives from Herts Sports Partnership.