Off we go again!

Training with James Elkin started again following the second lockdown when senior players made a welcome return to the courts in Pool.

James explains

The players worked hard for three hours on their fitness, footwork and gameplay, as James put them through their paces.

Fancy footwork

Selectors impressed behind their masks

Working hard

National Badminton Museum

The History of the National Badminton Museum

The Badminton Association founded in 1893, later became the Badminton Association of England, then BADMINTON England, had accumulated a considerable amount of Badminton Memorabilia.

The Museum is indebted to Herbert and Betty Scheele, Humphrey Chilton and Heather Nielsen who were the first people to realise the importance of this material to the history of the game.

In 1994 Margaret Cook was invited to become Archivist.

Volunteers realising the importance of recording and preserving badminton’s heritage formed a committee in 2003.

The National Badminton Museum was launched later in that year and was officially opened on September 9th 2003, by Neil Cameron, Chief Executive of the International Badminton Federation now the BWF.

In 2007 the Museum was granted Charity Status. To comply with the Charity Commission regulations the National Badminton Museum is now managed by Trustees. There is also a Working Party of volunteers who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Museum.

The Museum receives no guaranteed income. Some of the display cabinets have been donated, and the purchase of others was assisted by a grant from Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

The Museum now has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of badminton artefacts, archives and memorabilia in the world.

The Museum has an Acquisitions and Disposals committee, basically responsible for accepting and purchasing items into the Museum’s collection.

The National Badminton Museum is supported by BADMINTON England. 

National Badminton Museum website

Training starts again....

  

James at work

Cornwall’s senior badminton players got back into training with coach James Elkin on Sunday at last. The players made the best of some difficult court conditions in Pool and enjoyed being back together to practice their skills.

Selectors at work 

The next session is planned for December 6th after the lockdown period. Watch this space for further details!

Players about to work

CORNWALL BADMINTON – NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the 2020-21 Cornwall Badminton Season. We hope you’re ok and staying safe. Please note some early planning about the new season below – which could change depending on government and Badminton England advice - 

Key dates - provisional:

Sat/Sun 10/11th October               Cornwall College Pool            10-6 Restricted Champs

Sun 20th December                             “                    Pool            10-6  Under 21 Champs

Sat/Sun 10/11th April                                               York                     ECC under 21

 Still to be arranged are any practices and the Trials – we will keep you all informed when we can go ahead with all of these.

County Training dates – again provisional:  at Cornwall College Pool Sports Hall TR15 3RD, on Sundays 1pm – 4pm, starting on                                       

November 1st    with James Elkin   

December 13th  with James Elkin

January 31st       with James Elkin

                                                     March 7th           with James Elkin

                  Please attend all of the above so that you can be considered for team selection

Matches: Badminton England are still hoping to complete last season’s matches, on the weekend of November 7th and 8th 2020 for last season’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams – we should hear in the next few weeks IF this will happen. The 2020/21 season is planned for the following dates –

Saturday 6th February – 2 matches 

Saturday 27th March – 2 matches 

Saturday 17th April – 2 matches 

Sunday 18th April – 1 match 

Fees: we will confirm the fees for matches, training, trials and practices at a later date.

Please let us know asap if you will NOT be available for any of the above.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the Selectors if you need any other information.

Team selections will be made before the first matches take place. We are only able to enter two teams for the new season, due to numbers of available players – this will be reviewed each season.

Selectors: Brian Hannibal   01736 740913                                 07770 442800  brianhannibal@hotmail.co.uk

Lorna Riggs         01726 862878                     07775 934679

Sue Cooper         01872 870897                    07840 335734  scooper1964@hotmail.com

Sue Biscoe           01872 242293             07804 584663  bertbiscoe@btinternet.com 

                                   Sam Spencer       07775 338394                                           samspencer365@gmail.com

We would be grateful for help with any of these events – please support your hard-working committee!

Badminton Season 2020/2021

A guarded welcome to the new 2020/21 season. We hope everyone is keeping fit and well.

We have had our first CCBA committee meeting for some time, although we remain in regular contact with each other and with Badminton England.

The County endorses all the Badminton England recommendations and procedures for individual players, coaches and clubs regarding Covid 19 and all relevant information may be found on the Badminton England website.

It is very evident that although badminton can now be played from 25th July, albeit with a number of restrictions, venues are still difficult to access and many clubs will be unable to start the new season in September.

The CCBA committee have taken the difficult decision to suspend County affiliation fees for this season (good news for you all). Badminton England have reduced their affiliation fees by 25% and these now become due in January. We are aware that clubs may have difficulty in encouraging members to return and recruit new members so we hope that clubs will pass on these significant reductions to their members.

We are awaiting a decision from Badminton England on whether last year’s County tournament will be concluded on November 7th/8th. Next year’s dates are already confirmed and should go ahead as planned. We have reluctantly decided to withdraw our 3rd County team for the coming season owing to difficulty in finding sufficient players and the financial implications.

The County Restricted tournament is still scheduled to be played on the 10th/11th October. Clearly we are bound by Government advice and BE guidelines so we are unsure at this stage how we might operate the tournament and the format it is likely to take.

The good news is that the James Elkin Training sessions will go ahead, the first one on 1st November, although numbers will be restricted, so reserve your place early.

In these unprecedented times I’m sure you are all clamouring to return to the game we love to play. We hope you have a successful and rewarding season.

Best wishes to you all.

Bob Bell 

For and behalf of the CCBA committee

INFORMATION UPDATE

We trust that you are all keeping fit and staying safe.

We would need a crystal ball to predict the future for badminton in the coming season.

It is however reassuring that Badminton England are doing a really good job despite the difficult circumstances.

I recommend you log on to the Badminton England website which comprehensively deals with all the ongoing issues, eg. FAQ’s for clubs, coaches and Counties, funding, Government advice as well as a survey for clubs to feedback.

Three of our committee joined the Badminton England Zoom meeting on April 15th along with representatives from many CBA’s. There is another meeting scheduled for 14th May, so if you have a question for Badminton England, please contact a member of our committee who can ensure the question goes straight to the Chief Executive of Badminton England.

The Badminton England Twitter and Facebook links keep players engaged and entertained.

There is also information to come on marketing and re-start plans.

Please note that a provisional date has been arranged for the Cornwall Restricted Tournament, weekend October 10th/11th at Cornwall College, Pool.

A reminder that Badminton England plan to complete the County 2019/20 season with the postponed matches to be played on September 26th/27th.

All Badminton England sanctioned tournaments are currently on hold which therefore applies to the Duchy tournament.

Although the CCBA committee are unable to meet physically, we are in regular contact. If you have any problems or questions concerning badminton, please contact a member of the committee so that we can collectively address the issue.

Please note also that the CCBA AGM will be held as soon as circumstances allow. In the interim the current committee have agreed to remain in post.

Stay fit and safe.

Best wishes,

Bob Bell ( for and behalf of CCBA committee )

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Statement from Cornwall County Badminton Association

Badminton England have cancelled or postponed all events with immediate effect (https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/news/badminton-england-update-re-coronavirus/). They are unable to offer specific advice for local badminton but in view of government advice, CCBA have decided that it is prudent to bring the season to a premature end.

We are fortunate in some respects that it is so close to the end of the season, although a few league matches cannot be completed and some events both senior and junior have had to be cancelled or postponed. Many summer sports are facing even more difficult decisions and must be unsure of their immediate future.

We will keep all clubs and players informed of developments taking heed of advice from both Government and Badminton England.

Stay fit and well.

Thank you for your understanding.

Bob Bell
Chairman CCBA

CYB Junior Championships

Entry forms are now available for the annual Junior championships:

U11 - SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2020 TREVIGLAS SPORTS HUB - ENTRY FORM HERE

U13 - SUNDAY 5th APRIL 2020 TREVIGLAS SPORTS HUB - ENTRY FORM HERE

U15 - SUNDAY 3rd  MAY 2020 TREVIGLAS SPORTS HUB - ENTRY FORM HERE

U17 - SUNDAY 26th APRIL 2020 TREVIGLAS SPORTS HUB - ENTRY FORM HERE

2020 Kernow Carlton Cup

Cornwall County Badminton Association

Presents 

The 2020 Kernow Carlton Cup 

Team Tournament

For League and Social Clubs combined

19th April 2020 9.30am – 5pm

Sir Ben Ainslie Sports hall (8 courts)

Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TH

Please fill in an entry form here

Best in the West

The West Cornwall Badminton League: 2020 Championships




Who will be the best in the West?

Saturday 9th May 2020

Approx 9 – 6pm
Porthcurno Sports Hall at Penwith College. St Clare. Penzance. TR18 2SA

Open & Restricted Categories (times tbc)

Level doubles – Morning

Mixed doubles – Early PM

Singles – Late Afternoon

**This tournament is purely for players who are members of an affiliated club in the WCBL, and who have played at least once in the league that season**

Please fill in an entry form here

The First Matches of 2020

Cornwall’s top badminton players travelled to Bath again at the weekend to play the next set of matches in Badminton England’s Senior County Championships, the flagship county tournament which sees 120 teams of players representing their home counties across England.

1st team stars

First up were a young Avon team, and the Cornish boys got off to a flyer in the singles with three stunning victories for Tyler and Liam Sillifant from Launceston, and Truro’s Harry Dyer. Tyler’s victory was an impressive 2 ends in the number one slot, and Liam and Harry dug deep to come through in three.

In the top women’s singles, Cara Collins the young international from Liskeard, showed excellent consistency and court coverage to win in two tight ends, while Truro’s Melissa Lin, making her first team debut fought hard but lost in two, to make the score 4-1 going into the doubles.

Tom Lyle and his fellow Launceston compatriot Liam, gave no quarter in their men’s doubles, cruising to a fine win, but St Austell’s James Whetter and Guy Michell found it tougher going in the number two slot against an experienced and wily Avon pair.

Guy and James poised for action

The women’s doubles were also split, with Cara and Melissa battling the whole way and coming out on top after a tense and exciting three ends which gave Cornwall the overall victory with 6 games. Camborne’s Bronwen Wotton, this time partnering Amy Cox from London also pushed their opponents hard but just lost out, to go into the final two mixed doubles games.

Melissa and Cara winning

First up were Tom and Bronwen playing a good Avon pair – this game also went the distance, with some great rallies and thrilling attack and defense before the result just going to Avon. Harry and Amy finished the match on a high, a brand-new pairing which triumphed in three ends of nerve-biting badminton and amazing retrieval as the final end finished 23-21 to Cornwall, to give the match score 7-4 to Cornwall.

Some smiles after the win

The afternoon match was against a strong team from Gloucestershire, and this time Tyler and Liam were up against talented singles players and lost out, before Harry won the first end, lost the second, then stunningly won in the third. Cara once again saved the day winning comfortably in two, and Amy put up a brave battle but went down fighting.

The two Cornish men’s doubles pairs were no match for the Gloucestershire boys as everyone tired, in the women’s doubles Cara and Melissa were very unlucky to go the distance but lose in three, and the opponents had to concede the second doubles due to injury.

The match finished with the mixed doubles, and again Tom and Bronwen resisted hard but lost in two, leaving Harry and Melissa to complete the day, buy unluckily losing after an epic battle which had the Cornish supporters gripped, to make the match score 8-3 to Gloucestershire.

Amy and Harry in the mixed

This result gives Cornwall a very creditable mid table position to take to the final weekend at the end of March.

1st team – Tyler Sillifant, Liam Sillifant (both Launceston), Harry Dyer (Truro), Guy Michell, James Whetter (both St Austell), Cara Collins (LIskeard), Melissa Lin (Truro), Bronwen Wotton (Camborne), Amy Cox (London).

The Master’s County Challenge 2020

Cornwall’s two badminton veteran teams travelled to Bournemouth and Southampton at the weekend to take part in Badminton England’s County Challenge this year. This is a single weekend of competition with over 125 county teams and 1200 players competing in age groups from over 40 to over 70 years.

Cornwall over 50s

The “younger” Cornish team, with ages ranging from 52 to 70, were competing against Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Avon over 2 days in their age group, and it was tough going for a team missing some regulars. With a fine battling draw on day one against Oxfordshire, Liskeard’s Janet Santillo and regular partner Lynda Beer from Callington had a good weekend, winning 3 of their games against tough opposition. 

Lynda and Jan win again 

Richard Jones made a welcome return to the team, travelling from North Devon for the occasion, winning two of his mixed games with Truro’s Sue Biscoe, and team Captain Lorna Riggs of Newquay had a well-deserved women’s doubles victory with Sue in the last match of the final day, while debutant Tony Wong from St Ives, tasted victory in a men’s doubles game.

Tony makes his debut

Bob and Richard

Despite the overall results and league position, a good time was had by all, on the badminton court and on the dance floor on Saturday evening, before the long trip home.

Captain Lorna and Pete

Before the dancing began

The over 65 team, had an excellent weekend in their competition played in Eastleigh near Southampton, finishing a very creditable 2nd place in their league, led by Captain Brian Hannibal from Penzance.

Over 50s team – Bob Bell (Callington), Richard Jones (Minehead), Pete Bazin (St Austell), Tony Wong (St Ives), Lynda Beer (Callington), Jan Santillo (Liskeard), Lorna Riggs (Captain, Newquay), Sue Biscoe (Truro).

Cornwall Badminton Veterans Championships 2020

With an age range of 42 to 73 years, over 25 vets badminton players from all over Cornwall, from St Just to Callington, spent the day at Cornwall College’s Sports Hall at Pool in the annual Veterans Championships at the weekend.

All the players, officials and fans

The women’s doubles was won by the narrowest of margins, by Newquay’s Lorna Riggs and Sue Biscoe from Truro, while the men’s doubles champions were County Chairman Bob Bell from Callington and his partner, Liskeard’s Jon Wyatt.

Winners Lorna and Sue, Bob and Jon

There were also some excellent mixed doubles to finish off the day, and the final came down to a play-off between the experienced Penzance’s Brian Hannibal and Celia Hilman from Truro, against the relatively young James Whetter from St Austell and St Just’s Vicki Meade. After the new handicapping system was applied, Brian and Celia were declared champions, to end a thoroughly satisfying day of good badminton and a great start to the 

decade.

Runners up James and Vicki with champions Celia and Brian