Our Badminton team have stormed ahead in this years season, winning the Yorkshire and Humberside AOC league. This is the first time Notre Dame have won the league, being so close in previous years.
The squad, coached by Neil Johnson, have so far gone unbeaten in the league and have already secured themselves as champions. Throughout the season, they play 5 other teams from the entire region, in 5 home and 5 away fixtures, each with multiple games for a best of three result - meaning the teams could be playing 30 games in one single fixture!
The badminton team is completely mixed, playing both men's, women's, and mixed doubles and singles games. Captained by upper sixth student Daniel Appleyard, the team have done exceptionally well this year with Neil putting it down to their 'fantastic belief and mindset', celebrating their highs then setting their sights on the next goal. The team this year is -
Daniel Appleyard (C)
Basil Chan
Molly Whitaker
Jasmine Wong
Rehan Mohammad
Mia Lomotos
Thomas Carter
Esther Edimidade
Paige Thornton
Hoang Nguyen
The team now aim to go completely unbeaten in the entire league, so far have won 8 out of 8 games with another two to go - Wyke at home and John Leggott away. In terms of matches, the team has secured an impressive 71 out of 80 possible wins. This regional title has secured them a place in the semi finals or the badminton national cup, which will be hosted in Birmingham later this year.
Neil reflects on the win - 'We’ve been so close to winning the league title for the past 4 years, but just fall short at the last hurdle. So, something had to change this year, and it had to start with me as the coach, not to focus on what has been but to focus on what could be. Mindset and belief are so important, not just in sport but in life in general, as Henry Ford said, ‘Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re probably right’. We have done a great deal with the mindset of the team this season and so far, it’s paid off as ‘success isn’t just about what you accomplish in life, it’s about what you inspire other to do’.
I couldn’t be prouder of this team, what they have achieved so far and for what they are yet to achieve!'
Huge well done to the entire team - you've brought it home for Notre Dame and done all of us proud. Good luck!
Website By Rejuvenate Digital