Badminton Ireland has successfully won the bid to host next years European Seniors Championships. The tournament will be staged in Dundalk's Ice Dome from the 27th of September to the 2nd of October 2010.

The last European Championships to be held in Ireland were back in 1976 in Dublin's Fitzwilliam LTC. Frank Peard organised this event and was a huge success with two thousand spectators attending the finals.

The General Secretary of Badminton Europe, Brian Agerbak has liaised with Conor Doyle and the BI Vets committee and members of the Co, Louth badminton association in an effort to make this event the championship of championships.

The Dundalk Ice Dome, Ireland's only permanent indoor Olympic size ice rink, was officially opened to the public on the 10th of December 2006.

The arena can seat up to 500 "badder" supporters. Conor and his team have set up courts on the covered surface on a trial basis and the results have proved that the whole arena will be the perfect coliseum for the event.

Up to eight or nine courts will be set up and "Team Euro" expects 500 to 600 competitors to travel to this fair and maybe slightly colder island to play in the event! Some of the greats of our sport like Dan Travers, Leon Douglas, Christine Black(Scotland)Peter Emptage,Kevin Jolly,Harry Chadwick,Brenda Andrews,Rajeev Bagga(England)Jesper Helledie,Ellen Aagaard,Martin Christenson(Denmark)to name just a few...all world champions in their own right, will be on show plying their trade and although you might not see too many jump smashes you will be sure to see some awesome badminton play on the courts.

The age groups of the world-class players are from 35-65yrs and it is expected that up to 24 different European countries taking part with the main groups being English 120,Germany 95,Denmark 90 and over a 100 indigenous badminton players will descend upon the Dome. "Team Euro" are also working hard in the background to ensure that off the court activities like "Race track social nights" will be organised.

"Team Euro" are looking for sponsorship to help support this championship so that it will turn out to be an Irish event to remember.

So if you want to be involved in the biggest event in next years Badminton Calendar please contact Conor at email: CLOAKING

"Team Euro" are: Conor Doyle, Imelda Carroll, Mary Brown, Maurice O' Connell, Jim Callan,Tony Clarke,Damien Kenny and Jim Callan.