The 2009 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 18 November and Wednesday 25 November. In total, over 70 students representing 17 teams from five different secondary schools took part. Schools involved were Angley School - A Sports College, Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Bennett Memorial and Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School.

Each team consisted of four 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 wide range of talent on display at both the boy’s and the girl’s tournaments, of which both featured county level players, creating a good competitive spirit throughout the afternoon. This competitiveness was increased by the amount of fixtures which were extremely close.

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 months.

The winning schools from the following categories were:

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

Tunbridge Wells School Sports Partnership would like to thank:

• The team teachers who transported the children to and from the venue
• The Weald Sports centre, Cranbrook for hosting the festival
• Brian Willmott, Jo Heath and Bryony (Bennett Memorial) for umpiring

Congratulations to all teams for taking part and playing some enjoyable badminton.