Learn, try, improve, support
Well done to three of our Stars group who helped the Sussex U13 team secure a well earned draw against Oxfordshire today.
Despite most of the Sussex U13 team being on their Shires League debut, two of them still U11, they played with confidence and determination to secure the 10-10 result.
There were wins for FastStep players Dhanush and Izzy in singles and doubles, and for Ben in the doubles. Well done guys!
Well done to FastStep Elite player Eva Craig who picked up a bronze medal in the girls singles at the Leicestershire U15 Silver tournament today.
We’re pleased to say that following player/parent consultation we’ve decided to increase the Haywards Heath Stars sessions to 2 hours, running from 6pm-8pm on Fridays.
The change is effective from 14th November onwards. We’re hoping it results in more matchplay opportunity but without losing any valuable technical and tactical coaching time.
Congratulations to Daniel Hatton for winning a silver medal in the boys doubles at the Kent U17 Bronze tournament at the weekend.
Daniel and partner Jonathan Kuribayashi-Coleman (Suffolk) battled past 5 of the 6 other pairs in the round robin event, losing just one game to the eventual winners.
Well done Daniel!
FastStep can celebrate another medal in a national competition this weekend as Isabelle Craig took silver in the girls doubles at the Luton U11.
Playing with Sussex partner Abigail Thring, the pair won all their group matches without dropping a game to reach the final against two of England’s strongest U11s, Lisa Curtin and Estelle van Leeuwen both from Bucks.
Despite losing the first game 11-4, the Sussex girls fought back in the second to clinch it 11-6 and force a third and deciding game. This time the Bucks girls took control and won the match leaving Izzy and Abigail with a well deserved silver medal.
We’re thrilled to confirm that the English National Badminton Championships are coming to K2 Crawley next year, bringing the best of the country’s badminton talent to our doorstep.
The prestigious event takes place over 3 days from 30 Jan-1 Feb 2015 at K2 and we’re hoping as many of you as possible can go along and cheer on England’s best.
It’s the first time since 2003 that the tournament has been held in Sussex. Since it started in 1964 it has been held in Sussex several times, in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and Crawley.
Just a reminder of what sessions are on over the next couple of weeks around half term
Thursday 23rd Oct – Elite, Haywards Heath – As normal
Friday 24th Oct – Smashers & Stars, Haywards Heath – As normal
Sunday 26th Oct – Smashers & Stars, Crawley – No sessions
Thursday 30th Oct – Elite, Haywards Heath – No session
Friday 31st Oct – Smashers & Stars, Haywards Heath – No sessions
Sunday 2nd Nov – Smashers & Stars, Crawley – No sessions
Thursday 6th Nov onwards – all sessions back to normal
Have an enjoyable break and good luck if you’re playing any matches/tournaments at half term
Check the full calendar for the year for more details of training times/dates
These are the confirmed fixtures for our Year 9 and under team in the Mid Sussex Junior Badminton League.
There was plenty of badminton going on this weekend with FastStep players in action around the country.
Firstly congratulations to Monica Carr-Pacquay for being selected to play for Sussex U15s against Kent. Sussex won the tie in Gravesend 17-3.
At U13 there were good wins in the singles for Dhanush Thiagaraj and Ben Smith at the Home Counties U13. Unfortunately there was no doubles event as the organisers ran out of time – very disappointing for the boys.
In the U11 Home Counties, Isabelle Craig reached the quarter finals of the singles and won the plate competition in the doubles. The plate is a new initiative for some U13/U11 tournaments this year and is giving the players more games and more chances of medals which is great.
A string of six superb wins saw FastStep Elite player Daniel Hatton through to the final of the boys singles at the Essex U17 bronze today where he picked up the first of two medals.
After a nail-biting final against Leon Griffiths that went into setting, Leon emerged winner by 23-21, with Daniel picking up a well deserved silver medal.
Daniel continued his successful day, securing a bronze medal in the boys doubles event after reaching the semi-finals.
Well done Daniel, really proud of you today!