Queens Badminton Club, Crediton, held their 15th Annual Awards Presentation Evening last week and the quality of badminton players shone yet again, in a club that continues to nurture and support both players with top 10 national rankings and those just starting on their badminton journey.

Nick Masson, Chairman of Queens Badminton Club, said “I’m proud of the many times I have been coaching in the sports halls and seen Queens’ players going that extra mile to welcome a new club member or support someone who has just lost a tough match. I’m proud of the many players who have faced their fears and yet overcome them to triumph.” 

This year we have seen our Head Coach Sarah Preece become Ladies Devon County No.1 Singles player as well as improve her ranking to 23rd in the country. As well as Sarah her sister Hannah Preece has represented the Devon County as No.2 Singles player.

Our young players have started training mid week in the Exeter Performance Centre and they are making great strides forward.

The highlight of the evening was club member, Dee Weiner, winner of 3 Gold medals at the English Para Badminton Four Nations Championships in June, talking about how important badminton was to her, how she might struggle in her daily life but that her commitment to badminton and the friends she has made through the sport have helped her achieve so much. Dee received the loudest applause of the evening!

There have been many highlights for the Club over the last year including:

–          At the National Championships five Queens’ players attended: Sam Clark, Alex Moir, Bronya Pike and Lloyd Skinner played in the Under 15yrs, and Learna Hearkes played in the Under 13yrs.

–          At the Nationals Bronya Pike reached the quarter finals, only losing to an England player – this is the furthest a Queen’s player has reached in this age group.

–          Sarah Preece continues to climb up the national rankings in Ladies Singles (currently no. 23), now playing as Devon no. 1, and playing in the Adult Nationals for the third time.

–          Hannah Preece remains hot on the heels of her sister, claiming the no. 2 spot in the Devon Ladies Singles, also playing in the Adult Nationals for the third time and beating Sarah in the Club Tournament in June to be Queens Ladies Singles Champion for 2015.

–          Outstanding professional coaching from our deeply committed voluntary coaching team, and welcoming two more newly qualified coaches Ben Metherell and Adrian Partridge.

–          Team success in the Exeter Division 1 Mens Doubles and Ladies Doubles, and in the North Devon League, Mens Doubles (Division 2 winners) and the Medley Team (Division 2 winners).