First a great match at the Academy last Monday, all the games were very close hence why we ran short of time. The Memory Lane Elfs lead the match 5-3 after the badminton, only for the Carlton Rendeers to claw them back on the physical exercise claiming the 2 points ans squaring the match. Some magical moments from Ingram, and Tovey. A special thanks to the referee Dave Davies for umpiring the close affair. In regards to the Academy I would like to thank all involved for making it a success especially in my absence with my return to competiton.

For myself the year has gone very well in comparison to 2005 which was blighted by illness. Again there have been peaks and troughs but I have to be happy with where I am now compared to the end of 2005. I am currently GB No2 ranked No30 in the world, 12 months ago I was not ranked and had been unable to compete competitivly for 18 months.

The year started ok with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games my first competitve tournament back, only playing mixed was difficult but I feel Kelly and I both played well given our circumstances. After the Commonwealths I was able to build my training up during the summer playing numerous tournaments winning four of them. In the Autumn I played my first big events with the German and Danish Grand Prixs reaching the Last 16 in both beating world class players.

It was a disappointing end to the season with the announcement that my funding was to be totally cut with only 30 days notice, and that more than that a player of the same age, ranked 50 places behind me, who did not meet the funding criteria was to be funded, if only to be English things would be a little easier. After this I antogonied a hip injury in November while training which has meant I have been unable to compete in tournaments for the past month. It has also continueed to be tiresome to have elements of badminton in Wales who are unaware of circumstances to make poorly judged public comments about my situation which are not only damaging for myself but also Welsh Badminton.

Thankfully I have had Piret there for me throughout the year, and its puts whats important in life in to perspective. In July Piret accepted my proposal of marriage and we planned to get married in the summer of 2007 before having to move it back to 2008 due to the new financial constraints.

Finally I would like to thank my sponsors Memory Lane Cakes, Carlton and Hi Tec who have continued their support. This support in addition to money saved from the delay of our wedding, will hopefully mean I will be able to fund myself at least through the start of 2007 which will put me in a good positiong for Olympic qualification for Beijing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Richard