The 2008 National Schools Badminton Championships, organised by the Tunbridge Wells School Sports Partnership, proved once again to be massive winner.  It was hosted at the Weald Sports Centre, Cranbrook on Wednesday 26th November (Boys Section) and Wednesday 3rd December (Girls Section). In total, over 75 students representing 17 teams from 6 different secondary schools (Angley School A Sports College, Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Bennett Memorial, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School and St Gregory’s School) entered.

Each team consisted of four or five players who were ranked in order of ability. The top two ranked players featured in singles matches whilst the other players in the team took part in doubles games within their category. There was a broad range of talent on display at both the boy’s and the girl’s tournaments, of which both featured county level players. Many of the fixtures were extremely close with some games going to sudden death!

Over the two days, 140 games were played which gave the partnership staff time to look at every player. Schools were playing for the chance to win the TWSSP trophy and to qualify for round two of the national championships which will take place at county level in the next couple of month.

The winning schools from the following categories were:

Year 7/8/9 Boys – Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Year 7/8/9 Girls – Homewood
Year10/11 Boys – Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Year 10/11 Girls – Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School 

We would like to thank James Foot, Jason Clarke, Aaron Davey (SSCO’s), Phil Gower (Competitions Manager) and Paul Willmott (Partnership Manager) from TWSSP who were on hand to umpire all the matches played. Congratulations to all teams for taking part and playing some enjoyable badminton.