THE competitive season for Queens Badminton Club ended with their ninth annual presentation evening.

The season was again one of the most successful for the club in results.

It began with the club being awarded Performance Centre status by its national governing body, Badminton England, becoming only the second club in the country to be awarded such status. Consequently it is now in a position where it is currently advertising nationally for a Head Coach to work in conjunction with Exeter University.

The mixed teams in the North Devon League were the most successful this season with both teams winning their respective leagues.

Club vice-chairman, Ben Herbert, will lead his successful team into the First Division next season with Graham Herbert taking his into Division Two, closely on the heels of the first team.

In the Exeter and District League, Matthew Watkins led his Men's B team to victory in Division Three A. They lost only one game and his team was made up solely of junior players playing in an adult league.

At junior level, the A Team was ably captained by Nick Mingo, who led from the front every time as his less experienced players experienced competitive badminton for the first time.

The Under 8's section of the club, led by Jon Scase and Jan Skinner, is going from strength-to-strength as younger, talented players are spotted at Primary school level by the Club Development Officer.

At the presentation evening, Jon presented Ry Fawssett with the Under 8's Players Player of the Year and Millie Attwell with the Coaches Player of the Year.

Hannah Dymond was awarded with the Most Improved Player at Under 8's level.

Interesting enough, although not surprising, all the award winners attend Sandford School, renowned for producing some fantastic badminton players.

The older age group on Saturday mornings, was represented by Harry Matthews who was awarded the Most Improved Player by Kimberley Wills.

Harry attends Copplestone Primary School and has been identified as a player of great potential as he is fast-tracked through the club's coaching system.

The coaches chose their respective Players of the Year as Bronya Pike, Bobby Saunders and Hannah Preece.

Hannah has improved her National ranking from outside the top 100 nationally to finish the season at 16 - total justification of her hard training both at club and outside.

The players chose their respective Players of the Year as Conrad Saunders , Elliott Brealy and Nathan Scase.

The most improved player of the year was perhaps the most difficult category to award as many players could easily have won.

Simon Brassington was given the accolade as at only 15 years of age, he established himself as a member of the Men's B team and was elevated to the one-to-one elite training squad, as well as playing the best badminton of his career so far, almost beating some notable players at the club championships.

The outgoing Club Captain, Dominic Trewin, awarded the Captain's trophy to Laura Anson, who is perhaps one of the most naturally talented players in the club.

The accolade of Captain for the coming season was given to Nick Mingo. He will be ably supported as vice-captain by Kimberley Wills. They are both great ambassadors for the club and will set a fine example to all members of the club.