BRONWEN Wotton of the Camborne-based First Edition Badminton Club, the Cornwall u15 singles and doubles champion, competed at the England National u15 Badminton Championships held at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Bronwen partnered Avon's Ellen Marsh in the doubles event and both girls were also accepted into the singles discipline, competing against the very best players, from across England.
The full England team were present including the European no. 1 and no. 2 girls' singles players.
Bronwen's entry was a culmination of six-months preparation - competing on the National Bronze/Silver circuit.
Throughout the season, the popular youngster has achieved success as the South West Bronze singles winner (Gold) in September and a semi-final appearance in her first Silver tournament at the University of Exeter, in the South West Silver Tournament in early February, defeating the national Silver number six on the way to losing a close match in the semi-final to the number one ranked player, 15-13,15-13.
A recent success by both girls winning a Silver medal at the East Midlands Bronze Doubles Tournament, held in Warwickshire as runners up was a good foundation for the nationals.
In the doubles, against two top pairings, in the group stage, the girls performed well achieving, commendable scores.
Bronwen, in the singles, was competing against England player (No. 5) (Vicki Primmer), the National Under-13 champion and Steffi Clarke from Yorkshire, ranked 15.
She held Primmer to 14-12 in the first end and recorded a notable 12 and 17 in her second match.
Bronwen's last match was the highlight of her competition - pushing Clarke all the way in the first set - losing a nail-biting close opening game, 21-19. However, Clarke won the second game, 21-8.
After her event, Mr Eric Brown, chair of Badminton England's Schools' and Youth Board, exchanged some encouraging words with Bronwen and commented on Bronwen's commitment in undertaking a near 1000-mile round trip to compete and spoke of her attitude and determination whilst competing against the country's top players.
Mr Brown commented: "It is fantastic to see Cornwall Youth Badminton, back competing on the National Stage - well done, indeed."
n Cornwall u17s will be competing on the national stage at the Inter-Counties Tournament, being held over four days at the University of Nottingham, from April 12-15. The team is Tom Lyle, Launceston (capt); Douglas Andrews, Liskeard; Henry Sherwood, Callington; Peter Regan, Callington; Luke Bristow, Emily James, Bronwen Wotton, Claire Whitmore, and Johanna Philp, all First Edition; Holly Abbott, St Austell Bay; If there are any sponsors who wish to be part of the team's venture they can contact Kath Wotton, Badminton Development Officer for Cornwall, tel 07738 890043.
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