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.
