The Scottish leg of the 4 Nations Parabadminton Series took place in Glasgow from 18^th-20^th February, and 11 players from the Pan-Disability Lisburn Badminton Club travelled to the competition, along with coaches and parents.

With all five Lisburn players in the Learning Disability Classes being moved up a Class since the last competition, singles was always going to be a tough challenge.  Despite some hard games, everyone performed well, and will be hoping to build on these performances in the future.  Only one player, Adam Smyth, made it to the semi-finals in the Men’s Class 2 event, where he was beaten by Drew Daly, who eventually won that Class.

The Lisburn players fared better in the doubles, where after losing one game and winning one game Gary Bailie and John McAlvenney narrowly missed out on a semi-final place in the Men’s Class 2 Doubles when their Club mates, Adam Smyth and Darren Day beat them in the final group match – meaning neither Lisburn team progressed.  However, Claire O’Neill had better luck in the Ladies Class 1 Doubles with her Scottish partner, Diane Gillan, where the girls picked up a silver medal when faced with a very strong English pair in the final.

In the final match of the weekend, Adam Smyth and Claire O’Neill played in the Class 2 Mixed Doubles Final.  In one of the tightest groups of the Series so far, Claire and Adam won all 4 of their group games.  They carried on this good form into the final, and took the first set 21-19, however, despite already beating their opponents earlier in the day, they lost the second and third sets 11-21 and 17-21, and walked away with a hard earned silver medal.

In the Dwarf Men’s Singles, Sport NI funded Niall McVeigh lived up to his World No.1 ranking, by winning the final in two sets, 21-16, 21-9.  Meanwhile, in the Dwarf Boys U13 Singles, Andrew Moorcroft made it through his group to the semi-final, winning one and losing one game.  But unfortunately Andrew was beaten by the Group A winner, and eventual overall winner, Isaac Dalgish, 4-21, 4-21.  Andrew also made it to the semi-final of the Men’s Doubles, with his Club mate Luke Irvine.

In the Ladies Doubles, Emma Farnham picked up a silver medal with her Scottish partner, Deirdre Nagle, when they lost 18-21, 13-21 in the final.  She continued this form into the Mixed Doubles, where she gained another silver medal with her partner from England, Lee Hill.

Finally, in the Wheelchair Class 3 Men’s Singles event, Chris Stewart took part in his first competition outside of Ireland, and was unfortunate to lose both his group games, but gained some invaluable experience in the process – having to play the Class’s two finalists in his group.  The Club’s other Wheelchair player, Michael Smith, had more success, winning one group game, which was enough to put him through to the semi-final, where he lost to the eventual overall winner.

After another good leg of the 4 Nations Parabadminton Series, all the players are looking forward to the final event of the year to be held in Stoke Mandeville, England, in May.  The Club will continue to train until the end of April, and anyone 7 years of age and over, with a disability is welcome to come and try the sport.  Anyone interested can contact Terry Conroy on CLOAKING or 07789682446.