NEWS RELEASE

FIRST SENIOR BADMINTON TOURNAMENT ON TEESSIDE

LOCAL YOUNGSTERS SCOOP UP TROPHIES

Leading badminton players from all over the north converged on Thornaby at the weekend to take part in the latest matches in the Badminton England Carlton Orbital Circuit Tournament.

It was the first time the area had played host to the senior tournament, which is aimed at league and lower team county players.

Thornaby Pavilion Leisure Centre was the venue on Saturday (13^th Feb) for a full days competition, which attracted entrants aged from 16 to over 50 years old from as far afield as Cheshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and Humberside.

Competition was fierce for the grade ‘E’ English National Ranking points which were up for grabs alongside the prize money which had been put up by the sponsor – Natural Warmth, a Darlington-based company specialising in low carbon heating systems.

“It was a great opportunity for talented local players to test their skills against competition from outside the area,” said Managing Director Steve Heslop. “And they didn’t let us down, with Teesside-based players winning three of the five events - Men’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.”

Tournament Secretary and Referee Roger Cook said afterwards:

“It is a great honour to be included on the schedule enabling us to bring some top class badminton players to Teesside for the first time. We are very grateful to Natural Warmth for sponsoring the event, which enabled it to be a great success. It has been a terrific and highly competitive tournament and we hope it is just the first of this standing that we can bring to Teesside.”

EVENT WINNERS:

Men’s Singles – JOSH YOUNG of Marske

Women’s Singles – VICTORIA BREWIS of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Men’s Doubles – PAUL WARD and DAVE LLOYD of Hull

Women’s Doubles – ANDREA and STEPH BARWICK of Redcar

Mixed Doubles – STEPH BARWICK of Redcar and MATTHEW TRAIN of Hemlington

For more information ring Ken Ryalls on 01642-355389 (office) or 07711-749172 (mobile)