The Duchy's two teams again sponsored by Frame Homes (South West) Limited, of Perranporth, are training in readiness for the challenge of the new Quality Hotels Inter-County Championship campaign, which gets underway at the Cornwall Badminton Centre of Excellence at Pool School and Community College on Sunday, October 17th.
Both teams are at home, with the Seconds starting against Jersey at 10.00 am, followed by the first team who entertain West Glamorgan at 1.00pm.
The "Chiefs", promoted to Regional Three will take on the following strong outfits from - West Glamorgan, Gloucestershire II, Berkshire II and Hampshire III.
Meanwhile, Cornwall II who were the creditable runners-up in a strong Div. Five last season, will be striving to go one better this season, when they competes against Jersey, Dorset III and Devon III.
The Cornwall Veterans Team under the managership of Brian Hannibal, have the following teams on its itinerary in respect of the South West of England League: Hampshire, Devon, Avon, Avon II, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
The "Vets" programme starts at Pool School on October 24, with a match against Hampshire (1 .00pm).
In addition, next January Cornwall have entered Over-40 and Over-50 teams in the popular South West Championships, which will be organised at Poole Sports Centre, Dorset.
Cornwall Veterans Badminton Club: The Badminton Association of England has introduced a new form of membership (registration scheme for the over-40s). For further details, contact the membership secretary, Alison Philp, tel: Camborne 01209 — 714979.
Cornwall "Closed" Championships: The Championships will be held at Pool and Sunday, October 2/3. Entry forms have been forwarded to club closing date for entries — to Alison Philp, Secretary , is September 28. Contacts: Lyndon & Penny Allen 01726 — 63245 and Alison Philp, on 01209 — 714979.
The National Association has sanctioned dates for the inaugural Cornwall "Open" Veterans Tournament.
The Event, with Pat Hollands as the Tournament Secretary, will take off on the weekend of October 15/16, 2000. Following the announcement last Friday that Cam Brea Leisure Centre is to close its doors, the new venue will be announced soon. Four age groups will be contested: Over 40/45/50/55.
Cornwall Schools' Front: News of two major Schools' Events, sponsored by DSS., for the start of the season. The contact for both is Pat Hollands on tel: 01736 - 850442;
Firstly, the Cornwall Schools' "Closed" Championships, are scheduled for Pool School & Community College on September 25126. Under 11 113115 age groups on the Saturday, with the U17's and U19's on the Sunday.
The ages for each of the five sections of play are calculated from January 1st., 2000 and entries close on September 11.
Secondly, the Cornwall Schools' "Open" Championships are being staged at Cam Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, near Redruth, on Saturday, October 23.
The U13, UlS & U17 age groups are on the itinerary. Entries close on September 23.
Kit Hill join the Mid-Cornwall fold - The Mid-Cornwall Badminton League is delighted to announce that Kit Hill Badminton Club who play in a Hall between Callington and Downgate — have joined the League and County fold and will be putting out a Men's team for the 1999 /2000 campaign.
The Kit Hill contacts are: Brian Gilbert the Cornwall Veterans player on 01579 — 370944 and Malcolm Cooper, the Cornwall Coaching Secretary on 01579 — 342984.
The League, which celebrates its Golden Anniversary in 2001, now has two Mixed Divisions — one less than the 1998 — 1999 campaign, reports secretary Pauline Avery.
Last year, Wadebridge disbanded and Castle (Launceston) withdrew from the League. The Club named Launceston, however, remains as a member of the League. In addition, a new Level Doubles League is being introduced, comprising Men's, Ladies' and Under-16's divisions.
Composition of the Divisions: Mixed Division One: Launceston 1, Budehaven 1, Liskeard 1 & 2, Camelford 1,
Austell, Newquay 1 & 2 (Newquay 2 were promoted when divisions were condensed into two);
Stop-press: Budehaven III, who were promoted to the flight at the end of last season, have had to withdraw from One, owing to lack of players;
Mixed Division Two: - Budehaven II, St. Austell II, Newquay III, Bodmin, Camelford II & III, St. Issey, Launceston II and Liskeard III.
Men's Divison: - Kit Hill, Bodmin I & II, St. Austell, Liskeard I & II, St. Issey, Camelford I & II, Launceston;
(The clubs in the League will play home or away matches only, with venues reversed for the corresponding fixture for the subsequent season);
Ladies' Divison: St. Austell, Liskeard I and II, Camelford, Bodmin;
Under-16s: St. Austell I & II, Liskeard, Camelford.
(The ladies and Under—16 Leagues will play both home and away fixtures);
The Under-16 teams will comprise boys, or girls, wholly, or a combination — as an option — of boys and girls. - JT.
Duchy open
There has been an excellent entry of 90 competitors overall - an increase of eight on last year - for the Duchy of Cornwall 17th Open Badminton championshiups, writes John Tresidder.
The prestigious event is scheduled for Carn FLeisure Centre, Pool, near Redruth this weekend, Sat and Sun, `september 25/26. A record prize fund of £900 is on offer.