We’ve just confirmed the dates for all sessions for the summer 2016 term. You can view the Summer 2016 timetable here.
Schools Champs county round success
There were medals for several FastStep players representing their schools in the National Schools Badminton Championships county round at the Dolphin Leisure Centre today.
Warden Park’s KS4 girls team, featuring Amy Radford, Eva Craig and Jess Blunden, won their event after beating Uckfield (featuring Casey Coats) in the final. They will now play at the regional round at Surrey Sports Park next week.
There was also a silver medal for Ben Smith whose team, Tanbridge House School, narrowly lost in the final against Downlands.
Ben secures Sussex squad slot
Congratulations to FastStep player Ben Anthony who has secured a place in the current Sussex U13 squad.
Ben, who won the U12 boys doubles at last month’s Mid Sussex Tournament, was recommended for a county trial by his FastStep coaches. Ben will make his debut at a friendly quad match on 28th February.
FastStep is a Sussex County Development Academy and works with Sussex County Junior Badminton to identify and promote emerging talent.
Collect Active Kids vouchers for FastStep
We’re collecting Active Kids vouchers this year, the scheme backed by Sainsbury’s to help clubs and schools get sports equipment.
If you shop at Sainsbury’s please bring any vouchers to your next FastStep session and we can use them to buy new equipment, eg badminton nets.
Thank you for your support.
Silver success for Smith
Ben Smith won a well deserved Silver medal at the Luton U15 Bronze tournament on a busy weekend for FastStep players which saw six of our Elite squad in action.
Playing in the mixed doubles in Luton with fellow Sussex player Robyn Haysom, Ben qualified for the final in a tight box that went to countback. There they met another Sussex pair who had also escaped a tight box. In the final Ben and Robyn just lost out 21-17 but were rewarded with a Silver medal.
Meanwhile in Gillingham, Eva Craig picked up Silver in the girls doubles at the Kent U17 Bronze. The tournament was awash with Sussex players, 5 of them from FastStep (well done Amy, Ben, Casey, Monica and Eva), and a testament to the growing strength of badminton in our county.
Strong performances at Mid Sussex U16/18s
Well done to FastStep players who took part in the U16 and U18 Mid Sussex Badminton Tournament this weekend.
Amy Fines was runner up in the U16 girls’ singles, while Laura Hemsley won the U18 girls’ singles plate.
William Pieckielon played well to reach the semi finals of the U16 boys singles and the quarters of the doubles.
David Jolliffe and Elliott Lucas also played well reaching the knock out stages of the U16 boys doubles.
Bronze for Luke at Essex U15
Well done to FastStep Elite player Luke Davies who picked up a bronze medal in the boys doubles on Sunday at the Essex U15 Bronze at Redbridge.
Luke and partner Tom Wood knocked out the number 1 seeds in the group stages, but couldn’t get past the eventual tournament winners in the semi-final.
FastStep welcome Forest friendly
FastStep Badminton Academy’s Stars group in Haywards Heath was pleased to host a friendly match with Forest Badminton Club from Horsham on Friday night.
With 23 players it was a game-packed evening and despite Forest edging the majority of the games, there were some great contests and brilliant rallies.
Well played everyone and we hope you enjoyed the evening.
Do get in touch if your club would be interested in a friendly fixture.
County stars beat Hampshire
Sussex juniors beat Hampshire this weekend at both u13 and u15, a brilliant result for our local youngsters.
On Saturday the Sussex u15 team won 12-8 at Horsham, with FastStep players Eva Craig and Luke Davies picking up important wins.
On Sunday over in Winchester the Sussex u13 team clinched a 11-9 victory, with FastStep players Isabelle Craig and Rebecca Moon winning vital games.
Trophy triumphs at Mid Sussex Tournament
Well done to all the FastStep players at the Mid Sussex Tournament this weekend.
On Saturday, Ben Anthony and Luke Peel won the boys u12 doubles in a nail-biting 21-20 final. While Mina Myall won the girls u10 doubles with partner Sofia Bao.
Ben and Luke also reached the semi finals of the u12 boys singles where they played each other! Ben won and progressed to the finals where he lost in a hard fought game with Henry Wong.
On Sunday, Amshika Kusan reached the semi-final of the girls U14 singles, while there were hard fought wins in their groups for Will Bevan, James Yule and Louise Wall. Well done all of you.