Nineteen athletes from the host Bridgewater Junior Badminton Club won sixteen silver and gold medals at the provincial association's first junior tournament of the season. Bronze medals were not awarded for third place.

 "I continue to be amazed by these incredibly enjoyable and talented young badminton players," said an e-mail from coach David Hyson.

 "They're an absolute treat to be around. They have a lot of fun with each other and with badminton and they really crank out the effort when it counts."

 Among the medallists were:

• Nine-year-old Sara Hirtle won three golds in the under-12 category.

• Cassie Burns, three golds, under 14.

• Nine-year-old Alex Beaune, gold and a silver in under 12 and a second silver in under 14.

• Danny Ross, two golds and a silver, under 14.

• Melanie Flack, gold, under 14.

• Courtney Tremere, gold and silver, under 23.

 Silver medalists included Sophie Tremblay and Hanna Longard in the under-14 age group, Savannah Benoit and Samantha Forsyth in under 16 and Matt Tremere in under 19.

 Mr. Hyson said the competition was intense, at least in part due to the presence of Gary MacDougall, head coach for the Nova Scotia Canada Games badminton team.

 "In addition to bringing his own club members to the tournament, he was watching for potential Nova Scotia team candidates to play for the province when the Games are held in Halifax in 2011."

 Overall, 73 players from Halifax, Truro, the Annapolis Valley, East Hants and the South Shore participated.

 "One highlight of the weekend was an excellent display of high-level badminton provided by some of the province's top under-23 players, including Heather Murray, an ACAA national champion who returned from Mount Allison for the tournament and a visiting player from Japan, Ahkihito Maruyami."

posted on 10/13/09
Related Stories
• Badminton club wins 19 medals at provincial championships (Apr. 7/09)