South Birmingham Junior Badminton Club - winter 2007-2008 newsletter
The country's elite top badminton players will be playing at the Velodrome Sport City in Manchester between 1st – 3rd February, aiming to be the 2008 champions prior to the All England Championships at the NIA in March.
All England Badminton Championships 5th - 9th March
We arranging a trip to the All England championships on Sunday 9th March this year, for further and ticket allocation details, please see Allan or Phil. There is a limited number of tickets available, it will be first come, first serve basis, so do not miss out on this great day out. There maybe an outside chance that will get some tickets for some coaching by England's top performance coaches, in the morning session prior to finals, we will have to wait and see!
It's worth seeing the worlds best players in action, if only for a bit of inspiration aand something to strive for! England is now becoming a formidable force within the worlds elite mens and mixed doubles, lets hope we can win more medals in the future, it maybe you in 2012 Olypmics!
Sunday club current situation
We have been getting steady numbers since our return after the summer recess throughout September to December. We do have some places available for new members as of January 2008. Once the club is full, then a waiting list ensures that the regular club members obtain quality coaching and competitive games and competitions on all four courts.
Any new enquires or children turning up at the club for the first time will be asked to fill in their contact details and possibly go onto a waiting list, and we will invite them into the club at the earliest opportunity. Our ideal number of players is 16 (4 per court), with a maximum of 24 (6 per court).
Many thanks to all the SBJB Coaches for their hard work and commitment for the Sunday club, coaches are Phil, Allan, Suzanne, Lee and Glen.
Finances/lottery money
The club is doing well financially. Glen successfully received some lottery funding for the badminton clubs, securing a staggering £5399.00. This ensured that all the Colmers junior badminton clubs benefit from the funding received i.e: equipment, shuttles, prizes, coaching course updates and forth coming tournaments. Most of the funding has been allocated and spent. The funding has assisted to reimburse the coaches for their hard work and commitment, to ensure all players obtain their badminton potential, for all of the Colmers Farm Badminton associated junior clubs;
South Birmingham Junior Badminton club
Colmers After school club on Thursdays
Colmers Colts on Thursdays
Sunday junior club is the starting point for any young badminton players, this covers ages from 8-16 years of age, and various player abilities. The next progression, subject to age and relevant playing ability, is our older colt club, which runs on Thursday evening’s, alongside the adult club.
This is for predominantly age 15 to 18, but possibly younger depending on standard. When there are any spaces available on the Thursday for new colts, the Colmers coaches will advise players nearing the required standard to play at Adult club, this due to limited court space and existing thriving membership at the club. We continue to give coaching on Thursday, with a greater opportunity for more ‘one to one’ coaching.
We are so successful, due to the potential youth players we bring through our junior clubs, this is why we have the route to success through SBJB, and Colmers colts, ultimately having potential badminton players for our club and other clubs locally.
The format of each Sunday session is as follows, in order:
Warm-up
Co–ordination/Movement/ footwork training
Coaching, usually for 30-40 minutes
Doubles or singles competition
Fun game
If you have any suggestions or ideas then please speak to the coaches, we are always willing to try new things.
We have continued to hand out the monthly achievement awards, recognising individual effort and progress over the last quarter in 2007. T
September awards went to Dorina Szucs (Bronze group), Benedict McCloskey (Silver group), and Vinnay Mistry (Gold group). October awards went to Emily Lowes (Bronze group), Darwin Zhuang (Silver group), and Ajay Mistry (Gold group). November awards went to Jamie Thomas (Bronze group), Daniel Thomas (Silver group) and Katrina Cowan (Gold group). December awards went to Morgan Thomas (Bronze group), Thomas Bush/ Ethan Nath (Silver group) and Vivian Lawrence (Gold group).
Winter Doubles Tournament Results as below:
Well done to all the tournament players that took part on 9th December 2007 for their continued commitment and effort, by achieving the awards and personal achievements.
Further inter club tournaments will be announced soon, so watch this space.
The large number’s turning up on a Sunday can present a few problems in maintaining safety to all those who attend. One of the biggest problem’s is juniors running across courts. It is important that everyone goes around the courts if moving from one end of the hall to the other, otherwise there could be a nasty collision or even a racket related injury following a clash with those playing on the court. The coaches would appreciate co-operation in this matter.
We are about to place an order some more junior `Sky Blue club` T shirts with the clubs name and mascot on. The cost of the T shirts £7.00 each, subject to quantity of shirts ordered, the club pays the remaining £2.00 per shirt from club funds. Sizes range from 6-15 years of age and have a polo neck buttoned top. This will provide the club a great club identity and ownership for all club members.
Any queries speak to Phil at the club session for orders( 3-4 weeks for delivery).
If you are on the internet then let Phil have your e-mail address, if you haven’t done so already. Also, let me know if your e-mail changes for any reason.
The junior club will be closed on 9th March 2008, due to club trip to the All England, at the NIA in Birmingham, re-opening again on the Sunday 16th March 2008. The club will also be closed on 23rd March 2008, for the Easter holidays, re-opening on 30th March.
Forth Coming External Tournament Dates and Details
Worcestershire Schools Badminton Association have restricted tournaments on as detailed below:
Under 13 Singles/ Doubles on Sunday 3rd February, at Elgar Technology Colege, Worcester.
Under 17 Singles/ Doubles on Sunday 27th January, at Elgar Technology Colege, Worcester.
See Phil for application forms for the above.
Solihull Badminton League are holding a junior tournament on Sunday 30th March at Alderbrook or Lode Heath School, Solihull, further details to follow (No county players allowed to enter)
For any further assistance on details of tournaments above, please speak to Phil Darlow (Head Coach)
SBJB/Colmers Junior Singles Tournament
Following the success of our junior badminton singles tournament in May 2007, we will be holding a similar event on Sunday 18th May 2008 from 9.00am-4.00pm. Further details and application forms will be available early March, it is a great day of junior badminton for standards of badminton players.
Starter Rackets to buy
Phil has some quality, lightweight Yonex rackets to buy. He can subsidise these to £15 from the normal shop price of £25. Speak to any of the coaches if you wish to buy one. It even comes with a head cover !
Maurice Robinson Sports
For all of your badminton requirements, racket repairs, equipment, clothing and purchasing of Carlton Fireblade (5 racket thermo bag included) and Aeroblade rackets. There are discounts on Carlton rackets at Maurice Robinson Sports (contact Wendy or Andy), please speak to Phil for further details.
There will be a Carlton demonstration day in April, dates to be confirmed shortly.
We will be holding some inter club team tournament and a doubes challenge league shortly, dates to be announced in mid January 2008.
We will hopefully be playing some more friendly junior badminton matches against Ashton Juniors and a new formly junior club of Lye Juniors, I am in the process of confirming dates their coaches at present, will let you know as soon as possible. All players will have a chance to play singles and doubles, keep practising and developing your badminton skills.
Any queries, please see Phil, Allan, Glen or Suzanne.
Hope this gives you plenty to think about for the start of our 2008 badminton year, lets have a great badminton year.
Play it, Love it, Live it !
Phil