In preparation for the AGM we have been asked to publish the audited accounts for the period 2006-2007.

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During the Kent Veteran's Open Tournament on Saturday 13th September, play was stopped briefly to allow a presentation to be made to Sue Whetnall.
 
This was a framed collage of photographs taken of Sue in full flow at various times during her playing career. The following introduction was made by Eric Jenner, the chairman of KBSA.
 
"Some time ago, Kent Badminton Supporters Association introduced an award for people who have given exceptional services to the sport of badminton. We now wish to make only the second presentation to be made in three years, and I can think of no one who deserves it more than the individual that we have chosen.
 
As a player, she had tremendous skills and application, achieving county, national and international recognition. Even in her more mature years, she continued to play at the highest level in her age group.
 
In recent years, she has given so much to the promotion and encouragement of the sport, and players of all ages have benefitted as a result.
 
I have nothing but admiration for the player, and foe the person that is, of course, Sue Whetnall.
 
It is appropriate that the presentation be made by Geoff Rofe, who has known Sue since she could walk under a net without stooping"
 
The presentation was made amid very warm and prolonged applause from the players present

It was the 60th anniversary of the Senior Restricted Tournament held over the weekend of 26/27/28 September at Castlemaine Hall, Gillingham and to celebrate,  raffle tickets were sold at a £1 for a prize of £60 in cash.  The lucky recipient of the pot was Gemma Whiting (the drinks are on Gemma).

Play got underway on Friday with the Mens and Ladies singles event, under the watchful eye of Referee for the evening, Phil Jones.  There were four groups of men’s singles played to quarter final level, with the group winners and runners-up playing to the semi-finals to be held on Sunday.  It was a family affair for the Staden family with Dad Martin and son Ryan both getting through to the quarter-finals, together with Craig Spooner, Toby Sweet, Kevin Wrigley, Ben Parr, Daniel Groom and Luke Penna.  Craig beat Martin 21-13, 21-11, Kevin beat Toby 21-18, 21-18, Ben beat Ryan in a three-setter 18-21, 21-18, 21-12 and Daniel beat Luke 21-15 and 22-20.

As usual the Ladies singles entry was small with one group of 5, playing off against each other, with the resulting winner and runner up of the group going through to Sunday’s final - Gemma Whiting vs Emma Smethurst.

On a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning and with the bacon/egg/sausage sandwiches flowing the men’s doubles got under way, with Referee Michelle Brothers presiding.  Fifteen pairs of men battled it out towards the finals stage, although none were dressed quite like Peter Stock & Keith Goodey, for one game only, dressed in retro-style fame gear (photo attached).  Spooner & Parr booked their place by beating Lewis Stuart & Lawrence Nemestothy 21-15 21-17 and Stock & Goodey beat Freeman & Troke 21-15, 21-17 for their place in the finals.

Nine pairs of ladies in two groups also played to finals stage on the Saturday, where Kim Steer/Emma Smethurst booked their place in the finals by beating Amy Paxton/Gill Hall 20-22, 21-11, 21-7 and the other finals place went to Gemma Whiting and, making her debut, Carla Staden, beating Faye Garner & Sarah King 21-18, 21-17.

A record entry this year in the Mixed Doubles event with 23 pairs entering playing in five groups of 4 and one of 3.  Winners of Group 3, Lawrence Nemestothy/Nikki Garner battled it out in the semi-final against winners of Group 1, Pete Stock/Kim Steer.  Pete & Kim were the winners of that game 21-11, 21-19.  In the other semi-final, winners of Group 6 Craig Spooner/Gill Hall challenged group 5 winners Daniel Groom/Emma Smethurst.  Craig & Gill booked their place in the final beating Daniel & Emma 21-19, 21-17.
Now to the finals and the men’s singles event which was a re-match of last year’s final, Craig Spooner vs Daniel Groom.  Last year Craig won the event, would Daniel get his revenge this year.  The game got under way and unfortunately in the first few points Craig went over on the floor, hurting his Achilles.  After a few minutes he was able to recover sufficiently to carry on the game which he lost to Daniel and retired in the 2nd game, giving Daniel Groom the 2008 men’s singles title.

In the Ladies singles final, last year’s winner Gemma Whiting took on Emma Smethurst and although the games were neck and neck for quite some time, Gemma managed to take the lead and win the title once again 21-13, 21-12.

After some strapping and treatment to his ankle, Craig got on court with Ben to play the men’s doubles final against Pete and Keith.  It was a close call in the first game with Craig & Ben winning by 21-18.  The 2nd wasn’t quite so close though and the 2008 men’s doubles title went to Craig & Ben.

You would have expected that young Carla Staden (aged 14) would have been fazed by not only appearing in her first senior county match but getting to the final but this didn’t seem to be the case when she and Gemma took on the pairing of Kim & Emma in an epic three-setter.  Quite a battle ensued and the first game was won by Gemma & Carla 21-16.  Kim & Emma weren’t going to let this go and won the 2nd game 21-16.  However, in the third game the game could have gone either way but Gemma and Carla managed to clinch the 2008 Ladies Doubles title, winning 22-20.

In the Mixed final, again an exciting affair, the first game went to Craig & Gill, but not to be outdone, Pete & Kim took the second 22-20 and although the final game was for Craig & Gill’s taking, it was not to be and Pete & Kim gained the 2008 Mixed Doubles title with a 21-18 score.

Our thanks go to the Kent Badminton Supporters for their kind sponsorship in the form of players prize money, Bob & his team for the ever constant bacon butties and to the Referees, Kent’s Mark Griffin & Sussex’s Ron Wood.

Phil Jones and his team have done another great job at running the recent Junior Restricted Tournament.

For all the results tables Click Here.

These two certainly look like they enjoyed themselves !!

Photos courtesy of Colin Wood

The U14 tournament was held on the 3rd of May at the Black Lion Leisure Centre in Gillingham. The tournament was oversubscribed and so some entrants had to be turned away. DE Photo was present at both tournaments and took some stunning photos that can be viewed by clicking on the link. Forza also attended the event with clothing & equipment for sale and providing a much needed restringing service.

Representing Kent – Russell Field, Daniel Burke, Jamie Jenkins, Bobby Brown, Ross Pilkington, Adam Shearman, James Dickins, Stephanie Tillman, Francesca Smith, Carla Staden, Mollie Proctor, Billie King and Paige Butler.