Down and Out in Belfast

Or the on going adventures of Rob Spink and Greg Mairs,

Hopes were high as we flew into Belfast to meet up with Greg, to take on the Irish on their own country, Alas any thoughts of taking home any precious metal from the U17 Gold event were soon dashed when first match opponent’s Jonathan Dolan and Adam Jermyn proved just too strong, the match being lost in two games 17-21 and 18-21.

 

However in their next match the English pair managed to rescue some pride, coming out on top of a very tight match against Matthew Getty and Martin Lau 22-20, 13-21, 24-22

Rob had a tough singles draw losing both his matches, Greg faired much better winning his group before losing to number two seed and the winner of Rob’s group, Ruaraidh Sim 16-21, 3-21.

 

English National Badminton Championships 2010

Just under three weeks to go now before the 2010 English National Badminton Championships, 05-07th Feb.  The profile of this event has been improving over the last few years and the 2010 event should see some of the younger English players stamping their names on the trophies for the first time? 

In the men’s singles Andrew Smith will be competing in his first Nationals at the Manchester Velodrome, He will be hoping to at least reach the final where he will face either the reigning champion Rajiv Ouesph or maybe Carl Baxter depending on how the draw works out.

 

Liz Cann must feel she is in with a good chance of wining back the title she lost last year in the dramatic fight with Jill Pittard, as Jill has decided not to defend her crown so it will be interesting to see who will step up to challenge, Helen Davies seams to be the most likely opponent in the final but youngsters Panuga Riou and Fontanie Chapman will be snapping at her heels.

With Donna Kellogg now retired, this will almost certainly open the door for Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White to claim the Ladies doubles title for the first time. I really cannot see anyone standing in the way of the now 10th world ranked Yorkshire pair.

The men’s and mixed doubles will see some great matches as we have the two big guns of  Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark up against Robert Blair and Chris Adock. Clark will be going for his 10th men’s doubles title but Blair and Adcock will not let him have it without a fight.

 

 

 

The mixed doubles is perhaps the final which will throw up the biggest surprise, Anthony will be playing with Heather Olver for the first time in the Nationals. Whilst this will be Nathan and Jenny’s second year, they will want to improve on last years result of being dumped out at the semi-finals by a fine performance from Sarah Bok and Chris Langridge or will this be the year that Chris Adcock and Gabby White rise to the top? They are now well established and must be growing in confidence all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So could it be two titles for Gabby? and/or number ten for Anthony? Will the established players be hanging on to those titles for a little longer or has the time come for the new kids on the block? We will have to wait and see. Don’t forget you can find out more about the event and follow all the news from the championships by visiting the dedicated website – www.nationalbadmintonchamps.co.uk  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be there photographing for all three days, anyone interested in buying photographic prints from the event can do so via this link :-

 

 

 

 

or from the www.actionphotography.co.uk website. If you require digital images for editorial or promotional purposes please give a ring on 0779 903 6270 or email me on alan@actionphotography.co.uk

COPYRIGHT OF ALL TEXT and IMAGES – ALAN SPINK

Badkidz

Coming soon, (badkidz – kids who play badminton)

News from the world of  Badminton, English U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 National Championships, reports and photos, Also English Nationals, 100th All England Championships and European Individual Championships.

My hope is that this will become an interesting and worthwhile exercise. If you have any input (events/words/photos) which you would like to see posted here, please get in touch, alan@actionphotography.co.uk  .  In the mean time, while you are waiting:-

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/badminton/default.stm

Hey it’s me on the BBC!! :- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7876093.stm shooting the England team before they went off to the World Championships in India. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it

 

and

 

 

http://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/news.asp?section=13&sectionTitle=News

also

http://www.badmintonwarwickshire.co.uk/

and not forgetting the brilliant Derinda!

http://www.bigbadmintonblog.co.uk/ 

One of the best Matches I’ve ever seen….

Taufik to win the All England 2010?

regards

Alan