Friday 16 November 2012

Cornwall Youth Badminton win coveted junior club award


Badminton England reports...
Cornwall Youth Badminton club were celebrating at the weekend when they were crowned Junior Club of the Year at the annual Cornwall Sports Awards.

The club, which boasts an impressive 94 members, won the coveted award, collected by coach Jon Wotton (pictured), after seeing off the challenge from 9 other shortlisted local sports clubs, including those in athletics, football, triathlon, hockey and American football.

The award was the result of ‘an amazing year’ according to BADMINTON England regional officer, Emma Austin, who also cited the “commitment and drive from the committee, players, coaches and players” as being a major factor in the club’s success both on court and at the awards ceremony.

Austin added “The award marks a new buzz that has been created within the badminton scene right across Cornwall. It is fitting, and even more satisfying, being handed out in the London 2012 Olympic year”.

The club, who were set up 7 years ago to cater for local demand for structured junior badminton coaching in the county, are no strangers to the Olympic limelight.

Regular club member Georgia Higgs made national headlines when she was selected as one of 5 young sports ambassadors to accompany David Beckham to Greece to collect the Olympic flame that kickstarted the nationwide torch relay ahead of London 2012.

Cornwall Youth Badminton, who are already affiliated to BADMINTON England for the 2012/13 season, are now working hard in the local community to support coaching in primary schools right across the county whilst players in the U17 squad bolster the coaching ranks by mentoring younger age groups. A new primary school festival is also in the plans for 2013.

Jenny Marchant, chairperson of Cornwall Junior Badminton, stated “This award is a tribute to all past and current members of CYB, of whom we are always proud, and are proof of what can be achieved by working as a team with a common set of values.

“It is wonderful to watch the players develop not just into talented badminton players but also responsible, young members of their local communities"

CYB Winners at Cornwall Sports Awards


Sports Volunteers have been recognised and rewarded for all their hard work at this year's Cornwall Sports Awards Ceremony

This evening the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards invited our many unsung sporting heroes to take centre stage, to receive well-deserved applaud for all their incredible volunteering efforts and helping to bring the Olympic legacy to life.

The annual event, held at The Headland Hotel in Newquay on Friday 9 November, welcomed over 250 of Cornwall's dedicated volunteer sports coaches, officials, clubs, organisations and young leaders. They were joined by special guests, including a number of Cornish Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and Tim Bunting, General Manager of ShelterBox UK & Ireland.

Organised by the Cornwall Sports Partnership, the event is now in its seventh year of celebrating and paying tribute to the many volunteers from across the duchy who dedicate their time and efforts to supporting our strong sports community and inspiring the next sporting generation.

This year 15 awards were presented and the worthy winners are as follows:

Children's Coach of the Year - Jim Hilton, Newquay Football Club

Participation Coach of the Year - Brian Smallworth, Cornish Sharks American Football

Young Coach of the Year U25 - Melissa Reid, Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club

Performance & Development Coach of the Year - David White, Storm Netball Club

Official of the Year - Yvonne Turner, Mounts Bay Harriers

Adult Club of the Year - Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club

Junior Club of the Year - Cornwall Youth Badminton

2012 Club of the Year (chosen by postal vote, in collaboration with Cornwall & Devon Media Group Newspapers) - Liskeard Girls Football Club

Sport Maker of the Year - Mo Salome

Active Workplace of the Year - TRAC Services

Sportivate Project of the Year - Sportivate Explores Rowing at Nankersey

Young Leader of the Year - Tyler Richards, Mounts Bay School

Community Volunteer of the Year - Revis Crowle, East Cornwall Harriers

Community Volunteer of the Year U25 - Tony Pellow, Penryn Rugby Club

Lifetime Services to Sport - Shane Sullivan, Charlestown Rowing Club

During the ceremony there was a special message played from Cornish gold medal winning Olympic Rower, Helen Glover, offering her thanks for all the support she has received. Also, Tim Bunting, General Manger of Shelterbox UK & Ireland which is based in Helston, accompanied Olympic rower, Annie Vernon from Wadebridge, in delivering an inspirational speech for the 250 members of the audience.

Annie Vernon comments: "I've been really excited about the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards, being a very proud Cornishwoman, as it is a great opportunity to bring together and celebrate all the athletes, coaches and volunteers that contribute to the sporting life in this county.

"I've now retired from international rowing after 8 years at the coal face, and I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to give something back to all those in the county who have supported me over the years."

Tim Bunting enthuses: "I'm absolutely delighted to have been a part of the 2012 Cornwall Sports Awards. From our board of Trustees, to our fantastic fundraisers, right through to those currently delivering aid in Senegal, Niger and Iraq, volunteers are the lifeblood of ShelterBox. Volunteers have therefore been responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of lives across the world".

Cornwall Sports Awards organiser, Natasha Howard of the Cornwall Sports Partnership, says: "The Cornwall Sports Awards has grown every year since it started in 2006 and is now a key date in the Cornish sports calendar. We've designed this year's event to build on the success of every other year and are delighted to have the opportunity to bring together some of our Olympians and Paralympians. During the year of our home Olympics it is incredibly fitting for our elite sports personalities to attend the event and formally pay tribute to the grassroots volunteers who have played a considerable part in their sporting journey.

"Volunteers are the backbone of sport and the true stars of the Cornwall Sports Awards. We are thrilled to celebrate their great achievements as part of this extraordinary year of sport and encourage them to continue their good work, creating a legacy of increased participation and enjoyment of sport."

A variety of Cornish companies and organisations support the event, including: Truro College, Sport England, Miller Countrywide, Tony Pryce Sports, Cornwall & Devon Media, Sports Leaders UK, Pyramid Production Services and NHS Health Promotion Service.

To see photographs and videos of the winners and event, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cornwallsportspartnership

Thursday 1 November 2012


CYB U17’s
Medals in Worcester

On Sunday 21st October a large contingent of Cornwall’s U17 squad headed off to Worcester to play in the Badminton England U17 Bronze tournament. All 13 players fought hard in their respective groups with Ben Johnson (Liskeard) and Jake Brazewell  (Truro College) progressing to the quarterfinals of the singles before being knocked out. Georgia Higgs (Helston), Amy Polglase (Camborne) and Kellen Moore (Camborne) all progressed to the knockout stage with Kellen coming away with a bronze medal and Amy the eventual runner up losing 21-15 in the final to Anisha De Silva (Bucks).
In the doubles it was clean sweep for Cornwall winning gold medals in both girls and boys doubles. Kellen and Amy winning comfortably against their Staffordshire opponents 21-12. The boys final was a much  tenser affair with Ben Johnson and Sam Payne (Callington) having to come from behind to win it on their 6th match point 25-23 against Alex Horner and Chris Dix (both Hampshire).


Cornwall Players: Vinodh Arumugam (Truro), Ruth Barnicoat(Penryn), Matt Bick(Mounts Bay), Will Bick(Mounts Bay), Jake Brazewell, Georgia Higgs, Ben Johnson, Kellen Moore,  Sam Payne, Amy Polglase,  Jack Osborne(Callington), Noah Semonin(Roseland), Nick Spencer( Truro College).