Tag Archives: Badminton coaching

Return to the Forbidden Planet

February 16, 2014Badminton, GeneralBadminton Birmingham, Badminton caoching, Badminton clubs Birmingham, Badminton clubs solihull, Badminton Coach Solihull, Badminton coaching, birmingham theatre groups, Birmingham Youth, Birmingham Youth Theater, Birmingham Youth Theatre, Social Badminton, Youth theater, youth Theatreadmin

Forbidden Plant production by the Birmingham Youth Theatre.

After attending the last production of Miss Saiygon (details HERE) by the Birmingham Youth Theatre are now presenting the ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’ at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham. The Forbidden Planet production is in May and tickets can be purchased through the Birmingham Youth Theatre box office HERE. Young Scott Jennings a social badminton player in North Birmingham at Kingshurst Academy.

The cast and the production team behind the scenes are all members of the Youth Theatre group. With Miss Saigon being a big hit don’t miss out on your ticket so book early and take advantage of the special offer that is running throughout February.

My last day line judging at the Copper Box.

October 5, 2013Badminton, GeneralBadminton Birmingham, Badminton Coach, Badminton coaching, badminton england gold, badminton line judging, Gold Badminton England, line judging birmingham, Stef the badminton coach, Stephanie Cartwright-Randle, West Midlands performance Cntreadmin

Day 3 and my last day – Line Judging

It’s a late start on my last day as a line judge. With a lie in, well I still made a cuppa for my roommate and I (a little too early, sorry Mum Pammie). Then eventually turned over and had another hour. Breakfast was humming will some off the ladies off shopping. Pammie and I stayed in the room and I took advantage of the time to do a few blogs (Ashton men’s match report plus others). So a leisurely start to what will be a long day, estimated finish time of 20.00 depending on how many games go to three. Settled in to my new role as line judge I was enjoying the experience. Along with seeing what goes on behind the scenes to provide the public with a flawless program of games to watch is, I must say very interesting.

For those of you who play badminton I recommend experiencing a bit of line judging. Why not do the training (See HERE for details on Line Judging)? Then volunteer!

My last day of line judging went well. Did not do that much ‘swimming’ so was pleased with that. I got to officiate Caroline MARIN from Spain (Results HERE), in my next life can I be her please or just 20 years younger. Perdersen and Rytter Juhl, ladies doubles (if they say it’s out I won’t argue) quiet frighteningly a strong pair, well they are the number 1 seed in the tournament. Next on court with Ellis and Van Rietvelde (England and Scotland) pair and I momentarily lost my concentration slightly (forgot to sit down simultaneously with my colleagues) as a young voice in the crowd behind be me shouted ‘come on England’ and then corrected himself by shouting ‘Great Britain’. My last match on my last day was ladies singles Wang V. Vignes Waren, not quiet the finish I would have liked as the next court saw Oliver and Robertshaw win in the third (details HERE) getting the crowd roaring. My Last day saw England success

Last day continued

Not over till the fat lady sings. Although all of the line judging had long ended, Badminton England had masses of work to do altering the arena for the next day. Remove courts, more seating out and all the computer next work needed fixing. It was all hands to the wheel (or court in this case). Many hands make lighter work, so we left the arena at 11.00 (play finished at 9.00), underground back to the hotel. My new found friend (travelled by car and proceed tot he bar) called my to inform the 6 of us on the train that the bar would close before we got back. So with pre-ordered drinks waiting we would be able to quench our thirsts (thanks BE). So with an early start on a long journey home, bed was welcome on my last day.

More line judging

October 2, 2013Badminton, GeneralBadminton Birmingham, Badminton coaching, Badminton England, badminton hobby, badminton london, Birmingham birmingham, hobby, Line judging, line judging birmingham, london grand prix, Play badmintonadmin

Day two of line judging as yesterday I was broken in so to speak.

Photo by Alan Spink – Action Photography

First up today Warwickshire lad Rhys Walker, how apt, as I coach the Under 13’s Warwickshire juniors at the Birmingham cell (not going to be biased then). Position 4, meant I was responsible for mopping the court, nice! So on several occasions I was called on court, for Rhys to tap the area where he wanted me to ‘mop’ (did not think my line calls were that bad as I could not see the sweat on court). Hey ho he lost in two.

Next duty was Rajiv Ouseph (4^th seed) V. Vitaly Konov. I did very few judging calls the first game as Rajiv was my end of the court and he won. The second game my hand signals were called upon to give me more practice, much appreciated thanks Rajiv final score 2-0.

My third duty was mens doubles, English pair CHENG and McCARTHY v China Taipei pair HUANG and LU. Having been told the mens doubles are a little on the fast side I was very nervous. A few wobbly hand gestures starting to indicate in but ended up out (swimming again) and the game was over. Sorry lads.

The last duty for me was Mixed (my first of the discipline). Both pairs RASMUSSEN/GREBAK(DEN) V. SCHWENGER/NELTE (GER) were young. What a game! I was extremely nervous as both sets of coaches where next to me in the last game. I had my fingers crossed that all of my calls would be easy. Thank you guardian angels for looking after me. No difficult line judging calls required. Sailed my second day of line judging, what will tomorrow have in store?

Event news HERE.

Gone Fishing – Networking

May 10, 2013Badminton, General, NetworkingBadminton Birmingham, Badminton coaching, Badminton Walsall, Gone Fishing, Gone Fishing Walsall, Local Badminton Birmingham, Networking, Networking Walsall, Walsall Badminton, Walsall Networkingadmin

Gone Fishing Networking in Walsall.

This morning went Networking to Gone fishing in Walsall. It has was the first networking event I have been to in 6 months. I must say Chris Towe was a host and a half. This networking event saw me walk away with five genuine leads as contacts. Chris himself has given me two contacts. Who’d have thought that from 60 seconds talking about badminton and who I would like to see playing the sport would lead to more business.

Thank you to Mick Davies of MAD computers for nagging me in to going along.

Thank you Chris for being such a great host.

A stranger until you meet them – How true is it?

July 5, 2012Badminton, GeneralBadminton Acocks Green, Badminton Birmingham, Badminton coaching, badminton for Girls, Badminton for Ladies, Badminton for Women, Badminton Solihull, Birmingham, Birmingham Coaching, Coaching in Birmingham, Girls Badminton, Ladies Badminton, Ladies ONLY, Local Badminton Birmingham, Play badminton, Women's Badmintonadmin

I was out Tuesday evening at Badminton and there were a few women there I have not meet before. When I started inquiring where ladies worked I discovered that Sam (Samantha) was mad about badminton and worked at a local superstore, where I happened to visit frequently and an friend of mine worked. We got chatting and she know my friend. ‘Small world’ I said.

It the next conversation I inquired where Chris (Christine) lived. Low and behold she lived in the same street as my friend (also playing badminton that evening). Once introduced the two ladies went on to compared notes on the road as they had both lived in the street for many years.

All in all two of the so called ‘strangers’ that were there playing badminton that evening weren’t strangers at all, just distant friends.