The annual SAWGBA county trials took place on Saturday 19th, and what a trials it was.
Attracting a record level of player interest, a very welcome 33 players submitted their names this season.
There were a large number of matches played at the trials, ensuring a good mixture of games for all involved.
County team manager Vaughn Tovey commented, “This season, we have looked at expanding the squad from last season. Dan, Dave and I have come up with two new sections, or tiers, which will hopefully provide our younger and more experienced players with a pathway into the squad.
“This season, we will have a main squad of players, a development squad and a sparring squad. The main squad will include players we feel are ready to represent the county at this point in time. The development squad will consist of the best of the current younger players looking to break into the main squad during this season or in future seasons. The sparring squad will include players who we feel are not far off those in the main squad and who could both benefit from and contribute to county practice sessions.
“Players in both the development and sparring squads will be invited to attend county practice sessions during the season, giving them excellent exposure to the very best the county has to offer. Essentially, this provides a progression pathway to the main squad if the development and sparring players show enough improvement. We are hoping this will serve the county well in future years, while also helping to retain the interest of the players involved.
“In addition to the new sections, we are also looking to extend the county practice sessions by one to two hours to allow the singles players more time to practise. Last season did not present many opportunities for the singles players to practise, which we would like to address, as singles is such a big part of the Badminton England SCC matches in which we will take part.”
MAIN SQUAD
Male
- Dan Clarke (Maridunum)
- Joshua Westlake (Celtic)
- Kevin Pearce (Maridunum)
- Man Leung (Swansea)
- Pavith Jayathilake (Swansea)
- Surya Vijay (Celtic)
- Tsung Mo (Celtic)
Female
- Anya Paton (Maridunum)
- Cathryn Lisa John (Celtic)
- Charlotte Higginson (Maridunum)
- Eva Edwards (Celtic)
- Hanna Pearce (Maridunum)
- Miya Pan (Celtic)
- Niharika Singh (Celtic)
- Tsz (Janis) Leung (Swansea)
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
- Elgan Morgan (Llanelli)
- Eli Owen (Maridunum)
SPARRING SQUAD
- Alan Rodger (Celtic)
- Sarath Krishna (Swansea)
SAWGBA league chairperson Alan Rodger commented, “The new-look county setup is exactly what I was hoping for. It expands upon what was good from last season, but now introduces a pathway for our talented younger players, while also allowing experienced players to attend the county practice sessions. Hopefully, they can contribute to the sessions while improving their own game and pushing the main squad players.
“I would like to thank Vaughn, Dan and Dave for this inspired vision for the county. I fully believe the county will reap the rewards during this season and in future seasons.”
We would also like to thank all the players who didn’t make the squads this season. We would love to welcome you back next season, and we know you will all come back stronger.
Congratulations to all of the above players. We are confident that you will all make the county proud.
Finally, thank you to all the players and spectators for attending and supporting the event. It meant a lot to us.
If you have any feedback (good or bad) regarding the county/trials, please email sawgba.county@gmail.com