BADMINTON: Two top-flight badminton coaches were in the Duchy at the weekend and conducted sessions, at two venues - St. Austell and Truro - which were seen to inspire County Seniors and Juniors, alike, writes John Tresidder. Firstly, Kelvin Edwards, a Staff Tutor and Assessor for BADMINTON England coached the Cornwall County Club, at St. Austell’s Polkyth Leisure Centre, on Friday, February 3rd. Over 25 players and coaches attended and both senior and juniors worked side-by-side, for a first time. Kelvin, who hails from Sidmouth, covered a "Ready-to-Play" warm up and sequences and worked on tips to improve the game of individuals. Indeed, Mr. Edwards’ approach of short demonstrations and simple instructions was rewarded by maximum effort and confident smiles from his enthusiastic charges in the hall. Hopefully, next season (2006/2007), grants and sponsorship for additional coaching sessions can be invoked. "Although the scheduled training session unfortunately clashed with an important regional schools tournament, numbers attending were gratifyingly high." Rebecca, the Former International Player: Meanwhile, Rebecca Pantenay, the former Badminton International, from Gloucestershire, was down at Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro, last Sunday (February 5th). “Bex”, as she likes to be known, is one of England’s former coaches and was in charge of sessions for the Cornwall Youth Badminton youngsters, in the Under-13, U-15 & U-17 age groups, from 10am- 4.00pm. Bex, who was welcomed by Tony Poole, Chairman of CYB., would have been familiar with these Cornish shores – owing to her lifting the Mixed Doubles Event in the Duchy of Cornwall “Open” Tournament, held at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, in 2004. Cornish Coaches in attendance were: Guy Michell, Kath Wotton and Tony Poole. Other notable attendees were: Shelley Marshall (Under-13 Team Joint Manager), John Wotton (Under-15 Team Joint Manager), Alan Williams (Under-17 Team Manager), Domini Andrews (CYB Hon. Sec.), Sue Biscoe and James Whetter, from the Senior County Committee. Mr. Poole reported: “CYB was delighted to have such a coach of Bex’s calibre, down. The 50 youngsters in the three age groups responded accordingly and put in an incredible amount of enthusiastic effort, throughout the proceedings. “And, We hope to welcome Bex again in the not too distant future.”