QUEENS Badminton Club in Crediton recently held its first Celebration Evening since Covid at the Waie Inn.

It was a lovely evening to bring together all members of the Club for the first time in several years.

Club Chair, Nick Masson, gave the opening presentation and summed up the last two years and praised those that had held the club together in the most difficult times.

Nick thanked committee members and coaches for their sterling work, singling out Rachel Theedom (Welfare Officer) for working so hard on keeping everyone covid safe in training sessions, Sarah Preece (Head Coach) for unstinting enthusiasm in leading the online badminton training and keeping everyone in the loop, and Sue Williams (formerly retired from committee) for running the Queens Bronze Tournament with entries from players across the country.

The club could not continue without our volunteer coaches and thanks were given to Lead Coaches Sarah Preece, Adrian Partridge and Ben Jordan, and Coaches Hannah Partridge, Hannah Preece and Ben Metherell. Congratulations to Graham Fagg for completing his Level 2 Coaching Award to become another key Lead Coach.

Thoughts and wishes were also with Martin Higgins’ family as Martin sadly passed away in early 2020.

Nick Masson said: “Martin had been a devoted coach at Queens BC for many years.

“I’m sure lots of us will remember how he relished covering the fitness training sessions with some gruelling exercise plans!

“Our thoughts are with his family”.

Junior club player Eli Chadney was invited to speak and he encouraged everyone with the idea that making tiny one per cent actions or changes may seem negligible in the moment but don’t dismiss them!

He said: “Moments accumulate to make a lifetime, and these choices determine who you are, and who you could be.

“Success is often the product of daily one per cent actions, not a massive once in a lifetime transformation!

“Don’t get disheartened with your current results, look to your steady progress.”

In an admirably smooth if unusual transition from one Club Captain to another: Kieran Brookes was thanked for his “double shift” of a two year stint and Rowan Manning was thanked for taking over the captaincy in such unusual times, even gaining his Level 1 Coaching Award, and graciously handed over the role to the new Club Captain 2022/23 Vlad Mototolea. He will be supported over the year by the two Vice Captains Laura Mellor and East Taylor.

Achievements of the Year: Zinnia Bromell-James – Doubles Winner at the South West Championships Tournament, Hayden Herkes – Singles Winner and Doubles Winner at the SW Championships, Toby Brookes – Doubles Winner at the SW Championships, and regular player in the Senior Mens Doubles North Devon League, Learna Herkes – Competed in the Welsh International and a regular member of the Senior Ladies Team in the Exeter League, Sarah Preece – sixth time Devon Singles Champion, Team Captain of the Devon First Team, highest personal national ranking of 19, competed at Welsh International and English National Tournaments.

Queens players selected to play for Devon County Juniors: Zinnia Bromell-James, Beth Tilley, Hannah Tilley, Ellie Haward and Toby Brookes.

Queens players selected to play for Devon County Seniors: Sarah Preece, Lloyd Skinner, Hannah Preece, Alex Moir, Grace Lee, Kate Povey.

Queens players selected to play for Devon County Masters (over 40s): Mandy Bishop, Ian Kirby, Kate Povey.

Club Awards 2021/22

Under 8s Most Improved Player of the Year: Alex Tilley

Saturday Most Improved Player of the Year: East Taylor

Under 11s Queens Player of the Year: Rad Mototolea

Under 13s Queens Player of the Year: Zinnia Bromell-James

Under 17s Queens Player of the Year: Vlad Mototolea

Friday Most Improved Player of the Year: Tom Gale

Captain’s Best Club Member: Eli Chadney

Queens Players’ Medal: Morgan Vincent.

The 2021/22 season had been remarkably successful in getting players back on court, back into match play and most importantly, enjoying badminton – at every level.

Huge thanks must also go to Nick Masson, as Chair of Queens Badminton Club. Where many badminton clubs have had to fold, Nick has been instrumental in keeping the club going – the weekly zoom sessions during the lockdowns, online committee meetings planning the future, and epitomising the club motto: Never give up, never give up, never give up!

If you fancy giving badminton a go: the first session at the friendly club is free.

From 5+ to 65+ you have the opportunity to play socially, competitively and anywhere in-between. Look for Queens Badminton Club online.

Kate Povey