Badminton Wales - RVBA

RVBA find the Ukraine Badminton Open tough!

The RVBA supported by Memory Lane had three players in last weekend’s European Badminton Circuit event in Kharkov, Ukraine. This is the second European Circuit event this season after a good quarter final results in the Russian event in July.

In the Ladies singles event ,winner of last week’s Hertfordshire Badminton Open Sarah Thomas had a tricky first round match with Bulgarian Maneva who withdrew at the last moment leaving Sarah with a match against Russian Mikhailova which she comfortably won 21-13, 21-17. In the Last 16 Sarah was up against European Junior Champion Anne Hald from Denmark. In a nervous first set the Danish girl won convincingly 7-21, however in the second set Sarah Thomas was much more her normal self leading for most of the set before losing it closely 18-21. Rachel Thomas had a very difficult match against Ukraine number two, and the third seed Diptan, and was unable to cause a major upset losing 11-21, 10-21.

In the ladies doubles the Badminton Wales pair had a good opening match against Russians Komendrovskaya, and Nazarchuk . However the Russians proved tough opposition, after a an extremely long match with match points for both sides the Russians held out taking the game 21-23, 24-22, 21-18.

In the mixed doubles the third seeds Vaughan and Thomas had an opening match against Ukraine’s Dmytryshin, and Zharka which they won comfortably 21-14, 21-15. However in the quarter final stage the Badminton Wales pair was surprised by Russians Ukk, and Polikarpova 16-21 6-21.

Head coach and player Richard Vaughan commented “It has been a tough tournament, but on the positive side the players had lots of good games. Sarah could have done better against Anne Hald, but I feel Sarah only realised that half way through the second set. In the ladies doubles the girls players very well against a good young Russian pair, and were just unlucky not to sneak the match. The girls need to gain confidence from Ukraine and realise they are more than capable of winning these close games.”

Next up for Badminton Wales RVBA is the Bulgarian Badminton Open in three weeks time.

Wales Badminton RVBA

The RVBA supported by Memory Lane Cakes is an elite group of young aspiring Olympic Badminton players coached by former World No 7, European and Commonwealth Medallist 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 would like to thank them for their continued support. Additionally the RVBA has established numerous partnerships with Caerphilly County Borough Council, Glamorgan University, Physio4Motion, Catalan Badminton Association.