Huddersfield youngsters Lucy Walker and Fred Robertson are shaping up for a bright future after representing the Yorkshire badminton team at recent tournaments.
Walker, aged 10, and Robertson, 8, are currently representing Yorkshire in Under 12 and Under 11 tournaments, and have already accumulated a hoard of medals and prizes.
Hayley Smith, head coach of the Badz Academy is very impressed with the duo and said: “Despite their young age there is no disputing the talent these players have, however they also have the drive to improve and train as hard as players twice their ages.”
The pair train Monday nights and some weekends with coach Smith and the latest additions to the medal collection were from the Under 11 Yorkshire closed tournament, held at York Railway institute.
Walker storm into the quarter-finals where she was up against her doubles partner Katherine Arskey.
The first end was taken by Walker 15-12, but reversed in the second to level the score Arksey matching Walkers first end win 15-12, then battle commenced to get to the semi.
Walker powered through and took the last end 15-8.
The final on centre court saw Walker overcome Hull’s Lucy Dearing 15-8, 15-6 to win gold in straight sets.
In the doubles Walker and Arskey, battled through to the final and scored another triumph beating the third seeds Maisie Staggall and Charlotte Hall 21-14, 21-19 – earning Walker double gold.
Roberston, the youngest player in the competition, peformed strongly and did well in his singles games against boys two and three years his senior, but eventually lost to the fourth seed.
In the doubles Robertson teamed up with Cameron Murray and faced a tough match against second seeds Owen Walker and Jacob Earles.
Robertson and Murray conquered the second seeds 21-12, 20-21, 21-12 to earn their place in the final.
The final pitted Robertson and Murray against the No1 seeds Will Atkin and Issac Clayton, who proved too strong, finishing 21-10, 16-21 and 21-14 winners but there was a well deserved silver for Robertson and Murray.
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