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Towcester Badminton Exhibition Match Full Report

Author: Heather Lewis

Published: 30th March 2010 18:07

England player exhibition match

A Badminton Exhibition Match was held at the Towcester Centre for Leisure last Friday, it was organised by Towcester Titans Junior Badminton Club and Badminton England,.

Many members of the club, their parents, players from other clubs and anyone else who was interested came and enjoyed the match played by: 1 current England player (Peter Mills -No5 ranking in England and No 34 in the World, a young player who is going places), 2 former England players (Kristian Roebuck and Steve Foster) and a Northamptonshire County player (Martin Haxton). 

England players exhibition match

The idea was for the players to entertain while demonstrating some excellent play with different shots.  They certainly showed how quick a game badminton can be!  Some Titans were invited to play with them and try to return their smashes.

There was also a match played by 2 juniors - Evie Burbidge of Tiffield and James Pugh of Brackley.  “These 11 year olds demonstrated a maturity beyond their years in terms of temperament, technical skills and power.” (Peter McCallum) 

England players exhibition match

Here are reactions from some spectators:

• “ I learned so much from watching the players and even more so it has made me more determined to be as good as them and then play for England” – Joshua Margan (Titans member age 10.)
• “When they started jump-smashing everyone was blown away at the sheer pace of them.  It was mindboggling how they seemed to be able to return literally every shot. Soon into the game they started playing trick shots to each other. Sometimes they had little competitions at the net doing net shots and cross court net shots.  The whole experience was amazing and exhilarating.  I think we should definitely have it again.”  VJ Pratley (Titans member age 11)
• “ I ..was totally blown away by  the skills shown not only by the England players but also by the standards of the young players,  the exhibition match from the two 11 year olds was a delight to watch and showed what depth there is in the young players and what we can look forward to in the future.  Please, please lets have more of these exhibitions they do nothing but good in fostering what Badminton is all about!!!”  Len Margan (parent)
• “They showed a lot of trick shots during the game and kept us in suspense, by letting the shuttle drop nearly to the floor before giving it a good thwack back into play. It was such an exiting, fast and fun Match. They even invited our younger players to join them in some of the play.”  Lydia Pratley (Parent)
• “I had a really good experience and was impressed by the talent on display both from the young players as well as the adults.  It is good to know that the sport is well supported in the County and that with the additional input from the national organisation it will continue to grow.” Councillor David Aaronson (Chairman of South Northants Council)

Peter McCallum (Titans lead coach) commented:

• “the players showed the power, reflexes and speed necessary for players to compete today at the top level….the technical skills of smashes which at times reached speeds of 150mph (the certified world record of 250 mph is held by a Chinese player), the subtle control of play at the net and the understanding between players as the game flowed from attack to defence and back again.  The long rallies demanded considerable stamina and consistency from the players and brought out every stroke in the book.”   They also gave “ a bit of showmanship which produced strokes not seen in any book – diving recovery shots, round the back, between the legs shots both facing the net and with back to the net……. Great entertainment but built on an under-lying technical ability honed by hours of practice.”  

Towcester Titans Badminton Club is currently full with over 60 players ranging from 7 – 16 years old.  However, we do operate a waiting list and every so often organise trial days when prospective players are assessed as to aptitude and attitude.  Vacancies do occasionally occur!  We are a coaching club so we take children who are keen to improve their badminton skills by listening to the coaches and practising what they learn.

 

Heather Lewis

Membership Secretary

Towcester Titans Badminton Club  

England players exhibition match

 

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