The Vets Tournament returns

 

The Bonanza is back!

 A Bonanza of Badminton, Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, 20 November 2022

Over 50 badminton players from all over Cornwall, Plymouth and north Devon, gathered at the 8 court Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Pool at the weekend to take part in Cornwall Badminton Association’s latest Bonanza, making a welcome return after a three-year break.

The players

The idea of Badminton Bonanza tournaments is to give both social players and those who play league badminton a chance to try out and develop their skills against different players. The many regulars were joined this time by some very welcome new faces, some playing in a tournament for the first time, as the Bonanza goes from strength to strength, with any profits going towards developing badminton in Cornwall.

Action in the hall

This year’s tournament at Pool was another great success, with some close fought battles in all the different disciplinesand a great day of badminton.

For the social players, the men’s doubles was a closely fought event, won by Camborne’s Karthik Siva and Simon Cheung with Joseph Tse and David Wong as runners-up. In the mixed doubles, the top slots were shared by members of the Choughs club, with Russell Tucker and Zelda Bennett coming first, followed by regulars Mark and Della Griffiths.The men’s singles saw Karthik triumph once again with the best results, with Russell Tucker as runner-up. The women’s social singles final title was won by Madalina Topor, who played in the combined mens and womens social singles. St.Austell’s Millie Bray came out top in the league women’s singles, having won several games against male opponents, with Sheila Wu as runner-up.

Social mixed doubles medalists

Men’s social doubles winners & runners up

In the league women’s doubles, after many close games, players from the Tecans club based in Pool, came first and second. Topping the division were Paulina Sztukowska and Rachael Williams, who only dropped 2 points overall, closely followed by Anne Herlihy and Kay Bossenger.

The women’s league doubles finalists 

The league events also had some hard fought, skilful badminton, and in the men’s singles the two group winners went through to the final, where reigning champion from St Ives, Tony Wong played Chulmleigh’s Ben Hamill in an absorbing game which Ben eventually won. Following some close semi-final games in the men’s doubles, the final was contested by Tecan’s Gary Braunton and Chris Ryan, and one of the pairs from Chulmleigh, Matthew Harvey and Ben Hamill. After two close games, Ben and Matt’s power won the day for the third successive year.

All the singles winners & runners-up

Action men

 The mixed doubles final was between group winners Chris Ryan and partner Rachael Williams, and Ben Hamill, going for his hat-trick with Michelle Wylde – Ben and Michelle played some impressive badminton to win, and complete an excellent day’s badminton.

The league mixed finalists

Mixed doubles exhibition

Results 

League men’s singles - winner Ben Hamill, runner-up Tony Wong

Social men’s singles - winner Karthik Siva, runner-up Russell Tucker

League women’s singles - winner Millie Bray, runner-up Sheila Wu

Social women’s singles - winner Madalina Topor

League men’s doubles - winners Ben Hamill/Matt Harvey, runners-up Gary Braunton/Chris Ryan

League women’s doubles - winners Paulina Sztukowska/Rachael Williams, runners-up Anne Herlihy/Kay Bossenger

Social men’s doubles - winners Karthik Siva/Simon Cheung, runners-up David Wong/Joseph Tse

League mixed doubles - winners Ben Hamill/Michelle Wilde, runners-up Chris Ryan/Rachael Williams

Social mixed doubles - winners Russell Tucker/Zelda Bennett, runners-up Mark and Della Griffiths 

                                                      

The first matches of the season

The Cornwall team travelled to Bath University at the start of the new season to play the first two matches at the weekend.

First up were Shropshire, a team also missing a women player like Cornwall, and the two Dyer brothers, Harry and Jack, got Cornwall off to a flying start with great singles wins in two ends. Joanna Vyvyan did very well in the top women’s singles slot in winning in three, and although Josh Richards and Jess Canfield battled hard, they just lost out in their games.

And the crowd went wild

In the doubles, James Whetter and Guy Michell were up against a tough pair, and lost in two, but Harry and Jack with some amazing reaction shots and good teamwork did well to win in two. Bronwen and Joanna, a new pairing, found it tough going in the only women’s doubles game.

Bron and Jess in action

Unfortunately both mixed, again with new pairs, of Harry and Bronwen, and Guy and Jess, went Shropshire’s way, which left the overall score 6-4 in the opposition’s favour.

On to the afternoon match, against Wiltshire, and it was a tough start, as all the Cornish singles went the wrong way, but the men had other ideas in the doubles games….In the first men’s, James and Guy got into the zone, and after a narrow win in the first end, stormed to victory in the second. Harry and Jack followed suit - achieving their unbeaten run in three ends of exciting, entertaining badminton.

Storming Guy and James 

Harry and Jack winning

After that, it was all downhill for the Cornwall team, as the opposition took the only women’s doubles and the first mixed, and despite James and Jess putting in a brave effort, they narrowly lost the third end 21-19, agonisingly close, but making the overall score 9-2 to Wiltshire.

A long day, and long trip back, but the team are determined to look forward to the next time in the new year.

The Bonanza is Back!

After a 3 year absence the popular tournament for club and social players returns to Carn Brea on 20th November - see entry form for details 

ENTRY FORM

County Champs 2022

Cornwall Badminton County Championships, Cornwall College Pool, 1st and 2nd October 2022.

The top badminton players of Cornwall gathered in Cornwall College’s Sports Hall at Pool at the weekend to find out this year’s County Champions. Winners of each event are invited to play in Badminton England’s Champion of Champions weekend at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes against all the other county winners in November.

On day one, a good entry in the men’s singles kicked off the morning, with dynamic play by a mixture of regular County players, club players, plus some ex-juniors who were returning to competition after finishing higher education.

Some good colour coordination in the hall

The top two seeds, Milo Semonin from St Austell, and Harry Dyer of Truro, duly made their way to the final after two semi-finals where they were made to work hard – Milo by Truro’s Jack Dyer, and Harry by Mark Pearson from Falmouth.

The final, a repeat of last year which Harry had won, was two ends of fast, skilful badminton, with some amazing reaction shots, hard smashing and tight net play by both players. After a tight first end which Milo edged 21-19, he ran out overall winner and became the new County Champion as Harry tired in the second end.

Singles finalists - from left Jake, plate winner Lee, Harry and champion Milo

In the men’s singles plate competition, Penzance’s Lee Chapple took on Jake Brazewell from Newquay in the final in one of the best games of the day. Lee eventually ran out winner after a marathon 3 ends, just outlasting Jake in a very close contest.

With a number of women’s singles players missing, the final for this event was between Joanna Vyvyan from Camborne and Jess Canfield from Liskeard. Joanna showed all her singles experience to comfortably win the first end, and despite Jess pushing hard in the second, Joanna triumphed to become champion for the first time in her young career.

Bob with Jess and champion Joanna

The next event of Saturday was the women’s doubles, where all the pairs played each other in some hard-fought games. Eventual winners, Vicki Meade from Penzance paired with new singles champion, Joanna Vyvyan, and they won overall with a very creditable 100% record. Runners-up were Callington’s Lynda Beer playing with Jess Canfield, who had won all of their games until they came up against againstVicki and Joanna. 

The girls!

Anne & Sara playing Vicki & Joanna

Day two began with the mixed doubles, where top seeds Milo and Joanna, plus St Austell’s James Whetter partnering Vicki, both progressed to the final after close three-enders with two Callington pairs – Julian Cooper with Jess, and County Chairman Bob Bell and Lynda. Milo and Joanna were too strong for James and Vicki – after a tight first end, their power and precision won them the title, and completed an impressive weekend hat-trick of wins for Joanna.

Mixed final action

In the mixed doubles plate event, another Callington player, Richard Townsend, partnering Penryn student Robyn Warwick, cruised to victory without dropping a set.

The Brains Trust

Tiring work, badminton 

The last event of the weekend was the men’s doubles, which served up some of the most exciting badminton seen for a long time. Once again, the top two seeds won through to the final, but not before some nail-biting battles in the semi-finals to thrill the crowd. Milo and Elliot Dyer played the other Dyer brothers, Jack and Harry, in a pulsating game of speed, attack and defence which went right down to the wire and finally resulted in victory for the top seeds.

A great semi

 James, playing with long time partner Guy Michell from St.Austell, beat Julian and Richard in another close three-ender to reach the final. Despite an incredibly tight first end which could have gone either way, James and Guy just edged this, and then went on to complete their victory in a comfortable second end of tactical play using all their experience for a convincing win.

Men’s final

The men’s doubles plate event was deservedly won by brothers Tyler and Luke Sillifant from Launceston, beating a new pair of Josh Richards and Chenyu Zhao, to complete an excellent weekend of badminton to find this year’s County Champions.

 

Results

Men’s Singles                                  Milo Semonin beat Harry Dyer  21/19 21/11

Women’s Singles                            Joanna Vyvyan beat Jess Canfiled   21/10 21/18

Women’s Doubles                         Vicki Meade & Jess Canfield winners

Men’s Doubles                               James Whetter & Guy Michell beat Milo Semonin & Elliot Dyer 

                                                          26/24 21/11

Mixed Doubles                                Milo Semonin & Joanna Vyvyan beat James Whetter & Vicki Meade 

                                                          21/18 21/14

 

Plate results

Men’s Singles winner                      Lee Chapple

Men’s Doubles winners                  Tyler & Luke Sillifant

Mixed Doubles winners                  Richard Townsend & Robyn Warwick

First training session goes well

Hands up if you like James’ training

How to prepare for the County Champs

 

CCBA County Championships

The CCBA County Championships will be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October, at Cornwall College Sports Hall, Pool, TR15 3RD

SINGLES EVENTS commencing at 11.00am (Saturday 01 October)
LADIES DOUBLES commencing at 2.00pm (Saturday 01 October)
Continuing on SUNDAY if required

MIXED DOUBLES commencing at 10.00am (Sunday 02 October)
MENS DOUBLES commencing at 12.00pm (Sunday 02 October)
**** Plate events for all disciplines ****

Entry forms available here:

ENTRY FORM

Cornwall Clubs Newsletter

 

CORNWALL COUNTY BADMINTON ASSOCIATION

Facebook group 

Newsletter for Clubs September 2022

To all league and social clubs, from the committee that run county badminton, this is a new season update on what’s available for you. We welcome any comments or questions!

Key dates 

County Restricted – 1 & 2 October, for all to find the county champions.

Bonanza – 20 November, for all league & social players, except county players – doubles, mixed & singles.

Vets Tournament – 8 January – for all players over 40 – doubles and mixed.

Kernow Cup – 2 April - social & league clubs tournament for all, except county players.

Club Development Fund

Grants of up to £100 are available to any club to help them grow and develop, for example for coaching/marketing/equipment. Apply to CCBA.

Coach Training

Subsidies of £50 for individuals with BE membership to help towards BE coach training and accreditation costs. Apply to CCBA. Information on accredited coaches is available from CCBA too.

Badminton England & CCBA Membership

This gives you insurance cover, free physio for Compete members, discounted shuttles, kit and equipment, access to BE news and info, and you can play in BE tournaments and matches. You also get priority tickets for the All-England international tournament.

In Cornwall, this helps support competitive badminton, such as league play, training, tournaments, trials and matches, and much more!

Cornish Clubs with BE membership – Callington, Liskeard Inclusive*, St Austell*, Truro, Tecans, CSM, First Edition, Mounts Bay*. 

*=junior clubs too. Details from CCBA.

Contacts

Key CCBA contacts: Bob Bell (Chairman) 01579 370248 rjbellxk8@gmail.com, Lyndon Allen (Secretary/Treasurer) 01726 63245 lyndoncallen2@btinternet.com, Sue Biscoe (County Matches/Tournaments) 01872 242293 susbiscoe@gmail.com.

Cornwall Badminton Newsletter 2022/2023

CORNWALL COUNTY BADMINTON ASSOCIATION 

 2022-23 SEASON

CORNWALL BADMINTON – NEWSLETTER 

Welcome to the 2022-23 Season. We hope you’re having a good break and are raring to go! Please note -

Key dates:
Sun 4th September Pool 1-4 Open Practice-all welcome
Sat/Sun 1st & 2nd October Pool 10-6 Restricted Championship
Sun 16th October Pool 10-6 Trials
Sun 18th December Pool 10-6 U21 Championship

We aim to enter 2 teams this year in the Senior County Championships. Badminton England are running the Champion of Champions event again at the NBC on November 5th & 6th. All players should attend practice & Training, enter the Restricted, and attend the Trials. We welcome those who have graduated from the under 18s to all of these events.

County Training/Practice: at Cornwall College Pool Sports Hall TR15 3RD, on Sundays 1pm – 4pm, starting on Sunday 4th September, and then:

September 15th with James Elkin
October 23rd with James Elkin
December 4th open practice
January 15th with James Elkin
March 12th with James Elkin

ALL expected to attend all of the above to be considered for team selection

Matches: all matches will be played on fixed dates at central venues (tbc) - please note (and be available on!) the following dates –

Saturday 12th November – 2 matches
Saturday 21st January – 2 matches
Saturday 25th March – 2 matches
Sunday 26th March – 1 match

Fees: per player, payable by BACs to CCBA 30-98-98 00734585 before each event - £20 for each James Elkin training, £15 for each practice, Trials £15 for the day.

Match fees will be £9 per event per match. Match players will also be expected to contribute towards any accommodation costs for the March weekend.

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 information in advance, or we can see you at the first practice and training. Thanks, and have a good season!

Team selections will be made on the basis of results in the Restricted, Trials and performance at training sessions. Restricted Champs entry forms will be available later – please organise your partners!

Selectors: Brian Hannibal 01736 740913 07770 442800 brianhannibal@hotmail.co.uk Lorna Riggs 01726 862878 07775 934679 dorisriggs@aol.com
Sue Biscoe 01872 242293 07804 584663 susbiscoe@gmail.com

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

FIXTURES 2022/2023

 

                     

 

                                Badminton England’s new National Youth Voice Forum

Jess and Kerensa Shaw, 15 year old twins from Liskeard Inclusive Badminton Club, have joined the new Forum, set up to represent the views and thoughts of young people, to raise their profile in badminton, and to make badminton more attractive, accessible and inclusive to all young people.The Forum will guide the work of Badminton England in making the voice of young people heard.

Jess and Kerensa meeting Lauren Smith and Marcus Ellis with the Forum in June at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes

Jess and Kerensa talk about their experiences  -

What did you have to do to apply? 

We had to make a video application on why you want to join, what you want to do etc. It only had to be a few minutes long. 

What have you been up to so far? 
We usually do a video call a month, focusing on different areas like what makes a good coach or safeguarding. These can be led by members if they want. We've done an in person meet-up once and got to meet some of the England squad!!!

 What do you want to get out of it/why did you apply? 
Obviously promote the sport considering how little its covered in school and online. My friend thought it was played outside! Before Liam Sillifant (Cornwall Coach) came to our school I had no idea it existed. The numbers of players in Cornwall keep going down especially after Covid. We also got a free hoodie and met some players. I thought it would be good for me too - developing personal skills.

The Vets Tournament is back!

 

Last weekend, badminton players joined together to partake in a closely fought badminton tournament hosted at Cornwall College, Pool. The veteran handicap tournament saw players across the county go head to head in this annual event, which after the turmoil of the last two years, was wonderful to see happen again. 

Mens doubles action

Mixed games get underway

More mixed

Plymouth v Truro

The eventual winners in action

Congratulations to all the winners: Mixed Doubles Winners: Tony Wong / Vicki Meade, Ladies Doubles Winners: Vicki Meade / Kay Bossenger, and Men’s Doubles Winners: Tony Wong / Gary Braunton, with a mention to Kay Bossenger and Gary Braunton, who narrowly missed out in the mixed finals.

Mixed winners Tony & Vicki

Gary and Tony

Kay and Vicki

  

Doubles winners

The event finished with all players enjoying crème eggs for their efforts in the games, presented by tournament organiser Helen Pennells. A big thank you to all those who supported the event; it was great to see so many friendly faces and watch some fantastic games.  

All the competitors

    

From 6th to 3rd in one day!

 The last, delayed, match of the season

Cornwall’s top team had to travel to Wellington in Somerset to play a rearranged match against West Glamorgan at the weekend, after Welsh covid rules had prevented the team playing on Badminton England’s earlier set weekends.

The stars

Both teams had to call on other players because of absences due to holidays, injuries  or illness, and West Glamorgan had already conceded three games before the match began, with a shortage of women competitors due to last minute covid issues.

Cornwall were keen to gain at least one point to make sure that relegation was avoided, and ended up with a fine 8-3 win which shot them up the table to finish in third place in the final standings.

The great supporters!

The 3 men’s singles were a mixed bag for the Cornish players with Milo Semonin just losing out to a talented opponent, before Tyler Sillifant made a welcome return to the team with an excellent win in two, showing all his old speed and skill around the court. Younger brother Luke Sillifant, making his debut, fought valiantly but came up against a tough Welsh player, and he lost in two.

With West Glamorgan conceding both women’s singles and one doubles, it was all to play for for Cara Collins and Mollie Bailey, and they didn’t disappoint. A nail-biting three ender was won by the Cornish girls in a great display of women’s doubles.

Cara and Mollie show their class

The men’s doubles were even more exciting for the large group of travelling loyal supporters, as two new Cornish pairings took to the courts. Milo and James Whetter put on a stunning exhibition of attacking doubles and triumphed in three ends against a very good Welsh pair.

Milo and James triumph 

Luke and Guy Michell were not to be outdone and they cruised to win the first end, then lost the second, and just won an extremely close third to great excitement all round.

Guy and Luke impress

The match ended with the two mixed games - Milo and Bronwen Wotton battled hard but came up just short to a talented pair, and James and Jo Spooner finished the match off in style with a comfortable victory in two ends.

Bron and Milo battle on

Jo and James storming to victory

This fine result means that Cornwall finish in a very creditable third place and have every reason to look forward to next season with confidence.