RVBA Supported by Memory Lane Cakes take Welsh Club title

The Richard Vaughan Badminton Academy supported by Memory Lane Cakes Won the Welsh Top Clubs competition this weekend at Brecon Leisure Centre.

The event now re-established by events co-ordinator James Phillips of the Welsh Badminton Union brings together all the top clubs in Wales who fight it out over 9 matches. 1 Men’s singles, 1 Ladies singles, 2 men’s doubles, 2 ladies doubles, and 3 mixed doubles.

The winners of the event gain entry to the European club championships which are this year in Russia.

The RVBA beat Monmouth Badminton club 8-1 in the semi final, and then over came Glamorgan Rackets club in the final 5-4.

Head coach Richard Vaughan said "It was great the team were able to win with so many youngsters playing, I hope it will be of great benefit to them in the future".

Richard was unable to be at the event due to a training camp in Germany prior to the Polish Open next Wednesday. In his absence the team was managed by another coach Simon Rowe.

Simon Rowe said "Everyone played really well and it was great to win.

We lost a few close matches in the final which might have given us a slightly greater margin but overall it was a positive experience. I deeply hope we can find some funds to send a team to the Europe Cup finals. At this time however I am not sure if any funding is available. Players like Vikki Jones, Sarah Thomas, Kelly Blake, and Gareth Day would only benefit from the international exposure. Richard and I are deeply appreciative of Memory Lanes support over the past 2 years which has enabled the Academy to be brought together giving both opportunity to talented youngsters and at the same time allowing Richard to try and achieve his 3rd Olympics goal which is especially impressive after his previous career threatening injury".

This week see’s Richard Vaughan back in the Olympic qualification hunt with the Polish Open in Warsaw. Vaughan lines up against Lithuanian World No 53 in the first round, and a possible quarter final match against German No1 and World No28 Markus Zweibler.

Vaughan will be joined by fellow RVBA players Sarah and Rachel Thomas who both have tough qualifying draws on the Wednesday.

Vaughan said "My draw is tough once again, I am playing well though so I hope I can overturn some close loses of late. The girls both have nasty qualifying draws but it will be great experience for them. Sarah did well in Portugal two weeks ago so hopefully she can gain some more International wins on the back of her nationals successes last month".

Fellow RVBA player Tim Stranks from Cheltenham reached the doubles semi final, and Mixed doubles final at the Aros International tournament in Holland. Another good result on the back of reaching all three English National u15 finals last month.

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