www.accountingsoftwaredirect.co.uk On the 25th July the Richard Vaughan Badminton Academy (RVBA) announced it has secured a sponsorship agreement with Accounting software Direct (www.accountingsoftwaredirect.co.uk ) a leading reseller of accounting software in the UK.

Former World No7 badminton singles player Richard Vaughan along with fellow Welsh RVBA players Sarah Thomas and Rachel Thomas recently qualified for the World championships in Hyderabad, India. Sarah Thomas, Welsh National senior champion, is ranked 107 in the World at singles and aged just sixteen years old. Along with her sister Rachel Thomas they are ranked 63 in the world in ladies doubles. In the mixed doubles with Richard Vaughan the pair are currently ranked 51 in the world.

The tie up with Accounting Software Direct will fund in part both the World Championships for the three RVBA players along with contributing to other events in the Commonwealth qualification period which runs up to May 2010. Commonwealth Games qualification for Team Wales in badminton is based upon players gaining a ranking of between top 50 and 60 depending upon the event.

The three RVBA members will be the principality’s only competitors at the Badminton World’s leading event. The Badminton World Championships will be a test event for India who will also host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Vaughan commented “Securing the deal with Accounting Software Direct has been essential in allowing the other players and I to both participate in the World Championships and get around to a lot of the Worlds events which are both essential for Commonwealth Games qualification. The Worlds is a huge event and it’s great that the younger players will be able to share in that experience. It will be great preparation to play in India, take up the atmosphere, be on court at a huge arena, and this will hopefully leave them in good stead for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.”
“In the doubles events we are now looking very good with only a few positions away from qualification for the Commonwealth Games. There are plenty of tournaments left before the Commonwealth Games qualification for Team Wales finishes in May 2010. Hopefully in the mixed doubles event we can improve the ranking to push close to gaining a top 8 seeding position for the Games.”

Accounting Software Direct Director Nigel Griffiths commented “Despite the economic downturn it’s great for the company to be able contribute to the development of new emerging Welsh sporting talent. The Commonwealth Games is a huge event for Wales and being a Cardiff based company we are especially pleased to help our local community”.

Accounting Software Direct, a subsidiary of Cardiff based FD Systems is the second major Welsh company to support the RVBA, following major national bakery Memory Lane Cakes who have supported the RVBA over the past three years.

The World Championships starts on Monday 10th August in Hyderabad, and lasts for a week. 


***Richard Vaughan Badminton Academy | RVBA***

The RVBA supported by Memory Lane Cakes is an elite group of young aspiring Olympic Badminton players coached by former World No 7 Richard Vaughan from Cardiff, Wales.

The RVBA is directed by Double Olympian and former World No7 Richard Vaughan from Wales. Richard is supported by former Irish Olympic Coach Donal O Halloran, former World No32 Dr Piret Hamer, and former top British junior Liam Ingram. Top Sports Physio Leon Vaughan provides physio support.

RVBA players Tim Stranks, and Sarah Thomas won the British u17 badminton singles titles in 2009.

The RVBA is proudly supported by Memory Lane Cakes and Accounting Software Direct (www.accountingsoftwaredirect.co.uk )and would like to thank both for their continued support. Additionally the RVBA has established numerous partnerships with Caerphilly County Borough Council, Physio4Motion, Catalan Badminton Association and others which have enabled the RVBA players to benefit from numerous opportunities. The Cardiff 10kmis a regular RVBA (Memory Lane Cakes) fund raising event for various charities including the RVBA Official Charity, the World Wildlife Foundation.

www.rvba.co.uk  &  www.richardvaughan.net