Southend Junior 2* Tournament

The Southend Junior 2* tournament will be played on Saturday 21st January. You can download the entry form HERE.

This event is suitable for most juniors that have been playing for a year or more.

Colchester Open 2017

The Colchester Open will be held on 26th / 27th February at Monkwick Sports Centre (Thomas Lord Audley School).

ENTRY FORM

Saxons Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the first Suffolk Saxons home game in the National Badminton League (NBL) are now on sale!

The first home game will take place against Surrey Smashers on Monday 7th November at Ipswich Corn Exchange. You can purchase your tickets through the Ipswich Corn Exchange box office.

Tickets will costs £12 per adult and £6 per child or student, plus a £1.50 booking fee for each ticket.

The Saxons still have some players signings to announce; keep an eye on their Facebook page this weekend to see the announcement of two new signings and the headline sponsor.

Roger wins Gold at Euros

Roger Baldwin claimed a gold medal in the Over 70 Mixed Doubles at the European Senior Championships last week.

A convincing win over a German pair in the semi final set up an all England final against first seeds Ken Tantum and Joanna Elson but Roger and partner Vicki Betts were victorious in three sets (20-22, 21-18, 21-16).

Roger also reached the quarter finals of the Singles and the same stage with fellow Essex player John Whalebone in the Men's Doubles.

The event was streamed live on the Internet for the first time with recorded matches available for review. You can watch the game on YouTube using this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv6CmxTsloc - fast forward to 58 minutes to see the start of Roger's final.

New National Badminton League (NBL) Franchise in Ipswich

Two new teams have been added to the National Badminton League with one of them, Suffolk Saxons, playing their home matches on our doorstep in Ipswich. The dates for the home games are;

7/11/16 Suffolk Saxons v Surrey Smashers - Corn Exchange, Ipswich

5/12/16 Suffolk Saxons v Bristol Jets - Corn Exchange, Ipswich

13/2/17 Suffolk Saxons v University of Nottingham - venue to be confirmed in Ipswich

The first fixture against Surrey Smashers offers the opportunity to see Olympic Bronze medalist Chris Langridge in action close up!

The organisers are looking for volunteers to be line judges. If you want the best seat in the house put your name forward by following this link;

http://www.suffolkvolunteeringlegacy.org.uk/index.php/events/event/2295/Suffolk-Saxons-Badminton---Line-Judges---Training

I will post information about tickets once it is available.

Junior Age Group Changes

From the 1st July the definition of the junior age groups for all BADMINTON England events will change. This is to fall into line with the rest of the world. Age groups are based on the age at the 31st December.

The result is that if you were U12 last year you will jump to U14 instead of U13 but you will still be playing the same opposition!

Full details can be found at the BADMINTON England website.

The Forza 1* events are based on school year so will not be affected. Forza 2* arrangements are unclear at this time ..... an update will be posted here ASAP.

Federation Meetings

The Annual General Meeting will be held at Colchester Cricket Club on Thursday 23rd June, starting from 8pm. The agenda and associated paperwork will be distributed to club secretaries shortly. We need some new volunteers for the committee so please ask around at your club to see if anyone might be interested.

All league players are welcome to attend the AGM to help shape the future of badminton in the area.

The Fixture Meeting will also be held at Colchester Cricket Club. This will be on Tuesday 30th August, starting from 7:30pm.

Colchester Open 2016

Please submit your entries for the Colchester Open. Download the entry form and send it back to the Tournament Secretary before 5th March.

Junior Level 1 Start Times

The morning session will kick off at 9am with the following events;

Boys Singles Year 4/5
Girls Singles Year 4/5 - no entries
Girls Singles Year 6/7
Boys Singles Year 6/7
Girls Singles Year 8/9

Doubles events for these age groups will follow.

The afternoon session will start at 1pm;

Boys Singles Year 8/9
Girls Singles Year 10/11
Boys Singles Year 10/11

Doubles will follow and the event is scheduled to finish by 5pm.