Elizabethan crowned badminton champions

Robbie Collingburn, Matthew Curtis, Bailey Hurt and Edward Thorpe beat Calday Grange Grammar and Stantonbury Campus in the final round to win the championship.

Elizabethan had already come through three rounds of local, county and regional on court competition to reach the finals.

The Center Parcs National Schools Badminton trophy was awarded to the youngsters by Olympic badminton silver medallist, and 2006 world champion Gail Emms MBE and young Team England player Sarah Milne.

Edward Thorpe, 14, expressed his delight on behalf of his team-mates.

“It’s been a fantastic day,” he said.

“We’ve come second in the last two years so to come here this year and finally win is a great achievement.”

“We are all really chuffed to be national champions.”

Jo Barnes, team manager for the squad at Elizabethan lauded the preparations the team had put in before the finals, saying: “So much work has gone into day.”

“The squad has trained during lunchtimes and evening and everyone has put a lot of effort into working hard to get here. We’re so pleased to be bringing the trophy home after coming second for the last two years.”

Gail Emms MBE added: “The quality of play today has been really impressive. The future’s definitely looking bright for badminton and I’d like to extend my congratulations to Elizabethan High School for their great performance.”