Cornwall's jubilant national circuit tournament medal winners, resplendent in their new track-suits, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow:
Back Row: Lorna Garbett (Gold); Daniel Johnson (Silver); Claire Whitmore (Gold);
Front Row: Bronwen Wotton, the CYB U17 captain (GOLD).

LAST Weekend saw a BADMINTON England Bronze Circuit Tournament, coming to Cornwall, for the first time, writes John Tresidder.

This most prestigious of National Badminton Competitions, sponsored by YEHLEX (UK), for the Under-15 and Under-17 age categories, was staged at The Sports Hall, Truro School, in the City of Truro, on February 9/10

And, it was most appropriate that Alison Philp, nee Williams, a former England Number 8 Junior and past Cornwall Number One, should attend to the opening ceremony on the Saturday - welcoming all the players, supporters and guests to the Duchy of Cornwall, over a weekend which produced glorious weather.

The Event, which will hopefully be confirmed as an Annual Tournament, was organised by the First Edition Junior Badminton Club, from the Camborne Area, who come under the Umbrella of the Cornwall Youth Badminton (CYB), Organisation, which is sponsored by the Dairy Crest Davidstow Company.

The proceedings attracted 100 youngsters from over twelve Counties, including a good contingent from the Home County, as well as a squad of twenty three from Neighbouring Devon, with a number travelling from as far afield as Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire.

On to the play: Amongst the South West Counties, Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire, all recorded two Gold medals, with Dorset and Avon County, replying with one, apiece.

On Day One, Devon’s Luke Bovey, aged 14, from Torbay, registered the Boys’ Under-15 Singles, thus securing the Gold Medal in the process, with Avon’s Robert Tate and Josh Joyner, being successful in the Boys’ Doubles.

Jessica Lederman, from Berkshire, secured the corresponding Girls’ Singles, with April Richards/Laura Toyton, the Devon/Notts combination, harvesting the Doubles.

Meanwhile, on Day Two, the Sunday, Cornwall’s Bronwen Wotton, aged 15, a student at Hayle Community School, won a second National Bronze Circuit Gold, when she famously lifted the Under-17 Girls’ Singles, accounting for Devon’s Kat Taylor, 21/14, in the final.

Meanwhile, Jason Plant, from Wiltshire, out-pointed the Host’s Daniel Johnson, 21/17, in the final of the Under-17 Singles, which was seen to be played at a frenetic pace.

However, it was the first Silver Circuit medal for the dedicated and hard-working, Johnson, from Liskeard, a CYB U17 player, who was “Over the moon.”

Plant wins a brace of Golds at Truro:

Plant, later on, in tandem with Patrick Hobbs, his County compatriot, then proceeded to secure the Doubles, over Hoby Howson and Joe Cowling, both Somerset, 21/14, to complete a famous hat-trick for the duo for the 2007/2008 England Circuit campaign.

Claire Whitmore (2nd England Gold) and Lorna Garbett (1st England Gold) the Truro and Callington Outfit, also came up trumps, when they won the Girls’ Doubles, for the Duchy – getting home against the Emily Fisk and Hannah Brazier the Oxfordshire/ Warwickshire duo, 21/14.

Mr. Tim Willis, the Devon County player and Proprietor, for TAG SPORTS, from Newton Abbot, South Devon, was on hand to provide an invaluable racket re-stringing service in the hall.

Guests, who were most welcome to the Hall, included: Julia Goldsworthy, the Falmouth-Camborne MP, Mr. Paul Smith, Headmaster, Truro School and Mr. Emyr Evans, Dairy Crest Davidstow’s Manufacturing Manager, whose Company’s sponsored tracksuits were worn resplendently, by the U15/U17- squad players and coaching staff - for the first time.

Successful and memorable weekend:

Alan Williams, the National Tournament Secretary, proudly reported: “In our first Nationally acclaimed Tournament to be sanctioned, I feel we showed the National Governing Body that our organisation warranted the selection.

“The weekend, which proved so successful and memorable, was, without doubt, a massive boost for the Duchy and recognition of all the conscientious work put in by the coaches and volunteer helpers over the past few years.”

Mr. Williams continued: “Special thanks must go to Kath Wotton, the Badminton Development Officer (BDO), for Cornwall who has been largely instrumental in bringing about this upsurge of interest in Badminton, within the County.

“We look forward now to re-welcoming players and supporters to the 15th Kerrier Junior Tournament, which is scheduled for Truro School, this November - on a weekend to be announced.”

Mr. Williams paid tribute to: Yehlex (UK), the Main Sponsors, together with Mr. Paul Smith, Headmaster of Truro School, together with the School Governors and Staff, for their support and co-operation.

Organisers:

• Alan Williams, Tournament Secretary;
• Jon Wotton, Tournament Referee;
• Paul Martin, Hon Treasurer;
• Alison Philp, Competition Co-ordinator;
• Clif Morcom; Phil Chapple and Maria Chapple, CYB Co-Secretaries;
• Tony Poole; Paul Johnson;
• Sue Cooper; Andy White;
• John Tresidder, Press/PR.