Premier Status for Mounts Bay Badminton Club - News - Penwith School Sport Partnership

Premier Status for Mounts Bay Badminton Club

Tim Jones presented a certificate on behalf of Badminton England to Jon Wotton and Cath Bick the lead coaches at the junior club awarding the club National recognition as a Premier Silver Club.

The players from the club were present in their club shirts from both the Under 13 and Under 17 age groups.The club currently has 4O playing members (ages ranging from 7-16 years.Tim outlined the fantastic progress of the club since its inception in November 2007,when with the Schools Sports Partnerships support court space was identified at Mounts Bay Dome. Within 6 months the club had been given financial support by the then Penwith District Council through a small club award agreed by council grants official Guy Botterell. The club moved to Penwith College in May 2008 and at the same time the senior club was formed under Trevelyans leadership,thereby giving junior players a clear pathway into senior competition in the West Cornwall League. 

The club continues to progress, now holding an annual interclub championship with perpetual trophies and has formed a strong link with Pensans School. Players as young as 7 are identified in Thursday coaching sessions at the Penzance Leisure centre and offered  a school sponsorship package to attend the club between 4.30-5.30pm on Thursdays.As a direct result of the schools support 3 of its pupils have represented Cornwall at Under 11 County Level.

Players continue to progress from the School sessions into the club on a regular basis.The club currently has 40 players of which 20 have gained county squad places at either under 11.13,15.17 level over the last 2 years. The club currently has within its ranks the County  Champions at Under 15 Boys and Girls Mixed Doubles, Under 15 Boys Doubles  and Under 17 Girls Doubles.

The club is inclusive to all children and has a strong volunteer support committee. A bouquet of flowers was presented on behalf of the club by two young players Shauna Payne and Kerri Sims both Pensans School pupils to Kath Wotton the previous Badminton England Development Officer for Cornwall thanking her for the support she has given the club in gaining this prestigious National award. This award has identified the club as a progressive organisation where child safety is paramount with all coaches being suitably qualified to a national level,providing opportunties for children to progress in a safe,professional environment. The club continues to seek local sponsorship to support its work within the communityany businesses wishing to consider opportunities with the club would be welcome.The club will move into a new sports hall being built at the College in the New Year,which promises to be an exciting prospect for its young players. 

At the same time as the awards ceremony an U18 match took place against a Bolitho School Boys Team.

Mounts Bay - Lee Chapple, Luke Pye, Matt Laity, Connor Frew & George Nicholas.

 Bolitho School - Nick,Ryan, Alson Eastwood and Tim.

Bolitho under their team manager Vicky Thomas gave a good account of themselves this being their first ever competitive match. A presentation was made at the end of the match with Mounts Bay running out winners by a  margin of 12 matches to 2. 

Club Times: 

Term Time Thursdays U13s 4.30-5.30pm

U17s 5.30-6.30pm

Contact Jon Wotton 01736-850045.

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