Specsavers Sponsor Open Junior Badminton Tournament

There was buzz around the Horizon Leisure Centre as the Havant Hornets junior badminton club hosted their second annual open tournament in June. The Hornets are unique as a junior club, because they use feather rather than plastic shuttles. The club feels the feathers give the players the best start in the sport. They and used top quality feather shuttles in the tournament.

Club coach & principal event organiser Maggie Phillips told Postcode Publications “The tournament attracted 98 players of all ages came from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and Berkshire”.

This large entry of players ranging from 7 to 16 years old guaranteed top quality competition and drama. Amongst all of the excitement normally associated with large badminton events,  representatives from Badminton England came along and commented: “This is the most well organised tournament we have seen”

Using 6 courts and chairs for 100 spectators, the hall was alive with the players and their accompanying families.

A fabulous day was enjoyed by everyone. On court there was some fierce competition at all levels in the tournament including players currently training in the County Development & County squads.

“The problem is funding such a competition” said Club coaching John Broomhead. “The main costs are the courts and feather shuttles”. He found two Specsavers Sponsor Open Junior Badminton Tournament sponsors to support the tournament. They were delighted to help as it involved the local community. Specsavers Havant sponsored the courts and trophies and Goode Sport supplied top quality Ashaway goose feather shuttles.

The club did not pick-up any Gold’s on the day but commendable runners-up places went to Jason Manchip & Jamie Gray, Tom Evans and Ben Small, and Josh Green and Aaron Scott-Roberts.

The Club, based at Havant Leisure Centre, is for 8 – 16 year olds. and meets in term time on Mondays between 4.00 and 6 pm. For Club Secretary ring Maggie Phillips on 07748 570560 or visit: www.havantjunior-badminton-club.com

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