Juniors
Weekly Junior badminton sessions on Sunday's at Haslingden Sports Centre (10.00 - 11:30am)
Resumes 22.10.2023 - All welcome (aged 9 - 17)
Contact Coach Nigel Holt for further details on 07511 811969
First session is Free then £3 per child thereafter. Racquets provided, if required
We also participate in M65 Junior League
The M65 Junior League is split into 2 age categories (School years up to Year 9 and a Year 10 & 11 group)
Tournament dates for M65 League are 15.10.23, 03.12.23, 21.01.24 and 03.03.24
The Future is Bright
Wearing their new team t-shirts, Rossendale Juniors were ready to make their mark in the third round of the M65 Tournament organised at the Colne Leisure Centre on Sunday 22nd January 2023. The sports hall was already buzzing with 5 teams of Year 11 and under (Oldham A and B, Forrest A and B, and Colne) and 6 teams in their Year 9 and under group of Craven, Colne A and B, Forrest and Oldham. As approximately 50 youngsters grabbed valuable knocking up time before the start of matches, and parents set themselves up on the off court seating, I knew we were in for a treat.
In only their second tournament, Nigel Holt's team of Preston Willis, the Bradshaw boys - Ollie and Sam - and Tom Phythian grew in confidence as their group matches progressed, drawing one match on aces, winning two and losing two, which meant they finished third in the group of 6.
Year 9 Tom, more used to the pommel horse and bars, showed some excellent defensive skills and thoughtful use of the court as he pushed the shuttle in to any spaces he could find. His partner, the fist pumping Year 8 Blackburn boy, Preston, just couldn't keep his enthusiasm (or his feet!) still on court as he threw himself in to every smash, every return, every point. And then the Bradshaw boys: Ollie, Year 7, and Sam, Year 5, (remember this is a Year 9 and under tournament) got better and better as their confidence grew and they realised they could beat the opposition. Ollie's steady long serves, coupled with the feisty Sam's delicate drop shots, made for an excellent partnership.
The M65 Tournament mixes boys and girls in a team, and its format makes the team captains play their players with different partners throughout the matches. The camaraderie of the Rossendale Juniors was a delight to see, both on and off the court, and often drew the attention of the other players and their team captains from the adjacent courts. Resplendent in their new green shirts, they most definitely did themselves, and Rossendale, proud.
Well done to all.
