QUEENS Badminton Club held its 17th Annual Presentation Evening at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum in July, which saw members of all ages gathered to celebrate the achievements of many individuals and teams during the last season.

Nick Masson, Chair of Queens BC said: “I’m proud of being in the position to watch players grow and develop. I believe we have one of the most inclusive clubs that I’ve been involved with, and I’m so proud of the comments made by parents and players thanking the club for all that it has done to support the development of their children.

“It would not have been possible without the deep commitment of our team of long-standing experienced coaches and those that are newly qualified.”

Highlights of the 2016-2017 season were (in rough order of players’ ages):

1. Hayden Herkes achieving No 1 Ranking in England in week 37 in both Under 11s Boys Singles and Doubles. He also reached the final in the Under 11s Nationals Boys Doubles, and won a Gold-ranked tournament at the home of English badminton, Milton Keynes.

2. The QE Academy School Under 17s Girls Team reaching the finals and achieving third place out of 1,600 schools.

3. Dee Weiner becoming Devon Ambassador for “This Girl Can” campaign, being selected and winning in the Special Olympics GB National Games in Sheffield this month.

4. Fifteen Queens players on the Performance Pathway with 10 selected to train at the Exeter Performance Centre.

5. Hannah Preece ranking second in the Adult Ladies for Devon County.

6. Sarah Preece attending the UK Adult Nationals for the fifth time, and reaching the semi-finals of a Gold Tournament by beating a player ranked 12th. She is also ranked first in the Adult Ladies for Devon County.

7. Seven Queens players attending the Nationals in their various age groups.

8. Four newly qualified coaches enhancing the coaching experience for Queens players: Adrian Partridge, Jenny Maddison, Jamie Dawe and Ben Jordan.