Alpha’s super six

Alpha Badminton Club were delighted this week when six of their members were selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Para-Badminton World Champion Niall McVeigh, William Martin,President Ulster Badminton and Tom Causer High Performance coach, congratulate Alphas six badminton stars who are off to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.Para-Badminton World Champion Niall McVeigh, William Martin,President Ulster Badminton and Tom Causer High Performance coach, congratulate Alphas six badminton stars who are off to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Para-Badminton World Champion Niall McVeigh, William Martin,President Ulster Badminton and Tom Causer High Performance coach, congratulate Alphas six badminton stars who are off to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Tony Murphy, Caroline Black, as well as two brother and sister duos, Tony Stephenson and Alannah Stephenson and Sinead Chambers and Ciaran Chambers will all proudly be part of Team NI heading to Glasgow for the Games which run from July 23 to August 3.

It has been an agonising wait for members of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games squad as they waited for the announcement of the Badminton team to compete in this year’s Games.

Under the eagle eye of High Performance Coach Tom Causer the squad have had an extensive training regime with visits to European competitions, added to the traditional home competitions, not to mention their roles in leading two Alpha sides in the Ulster League programme, as well as bringing home a senior inter provincial title.

Last weekend the team were competing in the Lithuanian International as they continue their build up to Glasgow.

Trevor Woods, Centre Manager at Lisburn Racquets Club said it was a “fantastic achievement” for the club and the players.

He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. For the two young kids Alannah Stephenson and Ciaran Chambers this will be a fantastic experience being the biggest event they’ve been to. For Tony Murphy, too, this is just rewards for him. He has represented Ireland A but this is another level for him. Tony Stephenson, Sinead Chambers and Caroline Black were in India for the last Games, so three have been there and for three it’s a new experience.

“The club is delighted,” Trevor added. “Over the last four or five Games all the players have come from Alpha. It shows the work going on at the club and the work the players are putting in. They thoroughly deserve it. It’s fantastic for us and fantastic for the kids.”

Related topics: