Following a very successful year the Kent Over 65’s veterans team reflected on the fact that next year many of the existing team are already over 70.  The success of the existing squad more than demonstrates the ability of the players but, with no over 70’s team in the current Veterans League, many were concerned that they would loose their place to the new influx of players that have reached 65. 

The team were advised that to ensure that the over 70’s could continue to both play and compete, perhaps the best option would be to run two over 65’s teams.   For the team members this proposal, it was felt, was like asking a willing 11or 12 year old to play against an 18 or 19 year old.   Kent has at least 8 men and 4 ladies that are in the over 70 age group and whilst the support is there, it was felt unreasonable to expect the team to compete with the over 65’s.

Those involved researched the availability of teams in the South East region.   Many counties had eligible players but the lack of ladies meant that an inter counties match could not be arranged.  Eventually, and with help from Ron Snow of Surrey, a men’s match between Kent and a team of  “South East All Stars” was organised at the South Croydon Sports Club on Thursday 29th January 09.   The South East All Stars included players from Essex, Hampshire and Surrey.

It was a very good day and, whilst it was a friendly, no one went there to lose. The match was played on a normal match basis over 9 rubbers and 3 rubbers went to 3 ends.   Two of the games had scores of 22-20 demonstrating how competitive the match was.

Kent came out as the eventual winners but the most important thing was that the match took place. All the players enjoyed themselves and the atmosphere was very good and got better during the refreshments provided by the Sports Club.

The verdict was that “we must to do this again” and should plan a match that also involves the ladies. This established Kent squad is keen to progress similar matches and invites all counties to participate in similar mixed or men’s matches.  Matches against composite over 70’s teams made up from members of all counties are also invited to play.

Back Row Mike Short,; Alan Oakley, Graham Walker, Dick Brewster, John Neal, John Cambell, Dave Elkins, Ian Ridewood. Front Row Ron Snow, Surrey; Brian Mooney, Essex; Mike O’Keeffe, John Reynolds.

Mike O’Keeffe is the contact here in Kent and can be contacted here through the web site.

The ICC league finals were played at Stoke on Trent across Saturday and Sunday 25/26 April. The winners of each age group in the four regional leagues North, Midland, South East and South West – played a knock-out competition.

On Saturday Kent played Wiltshire where we met a former player from Kent, Margaret Thomas. Kent won the three mens doubles and one of the ladies doubles, we only needed one of the three mixed doubles to go into the final on Sunday. Kent got the necessary rubber giving a 5-4 win.

On Sunday we played Cumbria, fielding a number of  veteran ‘’stars’’. The mens and ladies doubles were played simultaneously and, against expectations, Kent won all three mens doubles. Unfortunately the ladies lost all three so we sent into the final round of 3 mixed doubles all level. Cumbria won all three mixed, with two rubbers going to three ends. Kent lost 6-3, but, it means Kent is the 2nd best county at O65 in the country.

The Kent Squad
Floss Back, Audrey Jackson, Joy Jones, Pat Temple, Vic Muggeridge, Eddie     Strilesky, Per Svensson and Mike O’Keeffe.

Kent 1st Team verses Essex 2nd Team Away …. 5th April 2009.
Following the first meeting between Kent and Essex on 19th October 2008, Kent was looking to turn around a 6:9 defeat. With the Kent team fielding a virtually new line up. The match started well with Kent taking a 3: 1 lead after the Men’s and Ladies singles. This lead was further extended after excellent team performancesto take all four of the women’s doubles and two of the men’s doubles.

For the unabridged report - Click Here

Kent 3rd Team verses Bedfordshire 2nd Team – Away – 5th April 2009.
The County 3rd Team have so far had an excellent season. With league victory in sight and a win over Bedfordshire would secure the 1 point required to achieve this and promotion to Division 3.

There were a few nail biting moments with several of the games going to 3 sets but Kent 3rd held their nerve to win by 12: 3 and thereby take 3 points for the win.

Well done team and congratulations on your promotion.

For the Full Report and Team Details - Click Here

Pictured here is Stephanie Tillman one of Kents rising talents.

She has started this season with impressive wins in both the Middlesex Under 13 Silver Tournament and the Hertfordshire Silver Tournament Girls Singles.

One to watch for the future !!

Xmas is here so a few of us decided to start early by expanding our belly's at Loch Fayne in Bluewater. Stocky, Jo Newson, Phil  "Bam Bam" Troke, Paul Freeman, Gill Hall and I were placed in front of the restaurant which was a blessing as we could then eye up all the Totty ! ( Gill & Jo also included of course ). Starters were eaten at a quick pace and then the wine started to flow …this loosened up all out tongues and everyone started to get into the grove.

I wont make this a long blog but everyone had a good time and we discussed the funniest moments of the season so far , I think overall Stockys attempt at a cross court block from John Forde's  full power mid court smash at 16-16 in the 3rd came first. Needless to say that Stockys attempt went over the net but about a foot out, this resulted in the whole hall staring at him in disbelief, including the game on the next court, the barman,Kent & Surrey spectators and the local postman   Stocky obviously avoided eye contact with everyone (especially me) and sheepishly went back to his position constantly looking at the floor…..

Finally after a lovely desert and coffee we all went our separate ways. It was a good night and just so we are clear team all the answers from the " game " we played will stay in confidence ! Next Up Sussex at Home - Click Here for the report

New Sidcup, New Eagles & New Bexley Badminton Clubs - Several months ago Badminton England asked to run a story on the successes and challenges of our clubs. 
Click Here to See Article

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.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.

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.

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 !!

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.