Teachers and parents take note:-  

Is your child interested in playing sport? Are they a talented sports person?

Cheek out the Unipart and Forza tournament HERE. Where they can play badminton and with coaching through the WMPC, could play great competitive badminton.

Check this out http://www.stefthebadmintoncoach.co.uk/are-your-kids-interested-in-playing-badminton-over-easter/

Charity bike ride

Building up for a charity bike ride of a 190miles (for Get Kids Going), I am putting in some training. I plan to go out as often as I can and do a least 10miles on my bike every day.
Friday 5 August schedules two rides, one short one in the morning solo. The other later in the day with Luke McLanghlin of Big Yellow.
Unfortunately the weather is not brilliant and is chucking it down. My thinking is that I need to experience this, because if it rains on the day I need to know what it is like.
With a short planned route of 9 miles I kit myself up and off I go. I hadn’t got as far as B&Q in Marshall Lake Road (Shirley) and the water was spraying of the tyres up my back, dripping off my jacket on to my lower back, then following the cuviture of my bottom and every time I peddled it ran down my leg.It was not even a minute it to the ride and I was thinking ‘not good’!
Still i needed to get the miles in and experience this rain so I kept going.
As I hit Cheswick Green I was completely soaked, having put my ipod on ‘shuffle’ I was listening to some good sounds and wasn’t so concerned with how wet I was. I them had an ‘OMG’ moment when the smell of fresh air hit me and it was turning in to a beautiful day.
Hockley Heath, Bentley Heath and then doubled back as I need to go to Tescos. I had promised myself a reward in the form of a bacon and mushroom sandwich.
Pulled up and dismounted. Locked my bike up and off I went, shopping.
I felt on top of the world, however I noticed that people were looking at me.With every step I took I was leaving a trail of water and my trainers were squelching. I was fully expecting the cleaner to follow me around with the yellow ‘wet floor’ sign.
Feeling a little embarassed I quickly grabbed what I needed and off I went.

There was me thinking I was being so organised with planning my rides, finishing with a bit of shopping, but I left feeling embarassed.. Must admit I did look incontinent!

So whichever you think I am, I would appreciate your help by sponsoring me here GET KIDS GOING and mention my name Steph.
Thank you.

The PL4S and Aston Villa ran an event at Nechelles Community Sports Centre over three days early this week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). I went along on Monday to see what it was all about and ended up helping out. I went back on Wednesday to run the badminton competition. I ran a singles tournament and a serving competition simultaneously during the day, with small prizes for each winner. The age of the entrants ranged from 8 years old to 16. The serving competition was won by 8 year old Emily Chan, who after some gruelling games in the earlier rounds made it to the tournament final, where she fought tooth and nail against 15 year old Christopher Li, to loose in three games (both members of the WSBC).

If you or family member has an interest in playing badminton in or around Birmingham then check out Badminton England site for a local club or the No Strings Badminton site.

Tuesday I talked Luke Mclanghlin (fellow Charity bike rider from Big Yellow) in to getting up early on his day off and joining me for an early run out around Birmingham later this morning. After that I am attending the PL4S (Premier League 4 Sports) day at Nechells Community Centre to run a badminton session for kids till 3.00 (Sponsored by Aston Villa). Looking forward to that.

Me being determined to complete my charity bike ride for Get Kids Going, I have called
in a few favours from my badminton friends. John Lindsay of Ashton Badminton
Club (a really keen cyclist) is coming over tomorrow (Sunday) from Studley (on his bike
– 15miles) and taking me out for a 30miles ride. He’s then riding home.

I will say my sister has lent me some padded cycle shorts think I will be glad of those
tomorrow.

In preparation, yesterday (Friday 22 July) we met up and did an 18mile bike ride
around Birmingham. Starting at the warehouse, going to Edgbaston, Harbourne,
Selly Oak, Moseley, Edgebaston and back to the warehouse. Luke had all the mode
cons, his iphone GPS told us the exact mileage, time and more importantly how
many calories I burnt up. What a brilliant way to spend an hour or so! The
weather was excellent so even better. That’s all for now.

I will let you know my progress building up to the big event on the 20 and 21 July.

The event was well attentend and busy on both days. I took part in a couple of events with friends and supported several of the WSBC (Warwickshire Schools Badminton Club) under 11 and under 13 kids that I coach. The family event where I played with Tamhid Uddin, we came runners up. It is an event I would encourage any one to participate in. The experience is well worth it if you want to improve your game.

Take a look at http://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/text.asp?section=161&sectionTitle=The+Yehlex+Badminton+Bonanzas for more details.

Previously through 4Networking I meet Debora Perry from City Nites (Apartments to rent for the night in Birmingham). So I booked an apartment for last night (Friday 22^nd October). What a success that was. A great alternative to a hotel.

After booking in we made our way to a four floor apartment, with a balcony to die for. The apartment was brilliant, comfortable settee, telly and a great view. It was clean, tidy, with a modern décor, well equipped in the kitchen area and complete with tea and coffee (well needed the next morning).

Got ready in our own time and walked to Broad Street, where we parted till the early hours of the morning.

After a great night, a few hours sleep, several cups of coffee (to get us back into the lad of the living), we booked out and went home.

What ever type of night out you have organised in Birmingham I would highly recommend that you use City Nites for a stay over so you don’t have to drive.

All this for a reasonable price.