Author: Callum Napier

This is the second oldest continuous badminton in the world. Only the All England Badminton tournament is older (in the 125th year this year).

The Club had 23 unique players registered in the tournament this year, which was 7 more than last year. Although there were 23 players, a number played in more than one category (Levels (MENS/Women’s), Mixed or Singles).

In the Men’s doubles category, Neal King & Callum Napier came 1st in their Division with Adam Newberry and his partner coming 2nd. Tim Leakey (Club Chairman) & Tom Napier came 2nd in their category.

In the mixed doubles category, Giovanni (Gio) Banuelos and Tara Ananthesayanan came 1st in their category (won all their matches) with Callum Napier & April Johns coming 2nd to them. Adam Newberry came 3rd in his category.

In the Singles category, Neal King came first (won all his matches) & Adam Newberry came 2nd.

Congratulations to all the club players who took part in the Tournament.

Maybe we can have more players in the Tournament next year.

Team Photo!

Mixed Winners and Runners up

Mens Singles Winners and Runners Up

Men's Group C Winners and Runners Up

Men's Group B Winners and Runners Up

Tim Leakey (Club Chairman) officiated at the Badminton All England 2023 this year, with things now back to normal though with extra precautions in place, the tournament was watched by many people including a number of the club’s players. Great matches by the world’s best players.

Tim Leakey (Club Chairman/Match and Membership Secretary) recently officiated at the under 17 English Nationals at the National Badminton Centre at Milton Keynes. It was so great to see the rising stars of English Badminton competing for the titles at this great National centre for Badminton.

The Club recently celebrated the very special birthday of one of its players, Garen Tarassian with a special cake that was a replica of his badminton bag and was almost all edible – including the shuttle!!

Congratulations to Coach and Member of YMCA Sean Newberry for winning the Bruce Peapell Award which is awarded to someone who has made a valuable contribution to grassroots badminton, particularly for juniors.

Unfortunately within the last year a member of our club, Will Brand passed away suddenly.

In honour of him we have renamed the ‘Chairman’s Most Improved Player Award’ to ‘ Will Brand Memorial Most Improved Player Award.’

The winner of this award this year chosen by the committee was Julie Newberry who has shown great improvement within the year.

Tim Leakey (Club Chairman/Match Secretary) officiated for Badminton at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year. It was a great experience and an honour to have been chosen to officiate. There were some fantastic matches between the commonwealth countries that were seen as close as one can get! The opening and closing ceremonies were unique to Birmingham, brining in the city’s history in to the presentations as well. A great experience!!

YMCA Recently had a inter-house Fun tournament!

See below for the games throughout the day.

We had Two groups within the tournament with random partners assigned for everyone.

The top three pairs for Courts 1 & 2 are below

The top three pairs for Courts 3 & 4 are below

A big thanks to Samantha Leakey and Linda Offen for running the day and trialling our new system as well.

This centre was just a perfect space for Badminton with 12 courts (sprung floors) in one building that were divided to separate each hall of three  courts. 

The most exciting game was a mixed match with Harry Goode  (Son of Jo Goode MBE – Ex World No 1 Mixed Doubles & Andy Goode  who also coached both of them) & Cara Collins who were  12-20 down in the third game and came back to win the match and the mixed final of the Tournament 21-23. 

It just shows that one should never give up in a match!

See the photos of the inside halls during the tournament as well as the  main centre.

Tim Leakey (Chairman/Match Secretary) officiated at a Badminton  England  Under19 Gold sanctioned tournament recently in Hertfordshire at University of Hertfordshire, De-Haviland Campus.

This centre was just a perfect space for Badminton with 12 courts (sprung floors) in one building that were divided to separate each hall of three  courts. 

The most exciting game was a mixed match with Harry Goode  (Son of Jo Goode MBE – Ex World No 1 Mixed Doubles & Andy Goode  who also coached both of them) & Cara Collins who were  12-20 down in the third game and came back to win the match and the mixed final of the Tournament 21-23. 

It just shows that one should never give up in a match!

See the photos of the inside halls during the tournament as well as the  main centre.

The Tournament was held at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes and Tim Leakey Club Chairman/Match & Membership Secretary) officiated at the Championships where some great Badminton was played by the best players in the country.

The Sussex county was represented (playing separately) by Jonty & Zachary Russ who had some great games.

Some of the current Olympic squad also played at the championship. See a few of the photos during the day.