Shall be there on the Saturday, doing a Para-Badminton exhibition/demonstration before the semi finals play starts, and also back on the Sunday to watch the finals. Looking forward to it!

Paul Stewart said:

 

I'm now packed and ready to make my way to Birmingham and set up the Team Victor stringing room. Basically that means setting up two stringing machines in an apartment – nothing more fancy than that.

 

Looking forward to stringing for the Victor players. I'll be keeping records of which player has which tension etc so may publish more information next week when I'm home and had a rest.

 

Look forward to seeing the results from this Paul! I have seen a similar thing many years ago and it was interesting to see all the players tensions and string choices. Have found it (too me awhile!!), it's here for those that are interested 

I know that you won't be able to comment on what I'm about to say next due to your ties (or ex-ties), but I find it really appalling that Yonex do not let other brands string their players rackets on the premises. Having to rent out apartments or hotel rooms to string rackets is poor standards. Just because they are the sponsor doesn't mean they should act stuck up (to put it polity). Bit like saying, Ferrari buy the Italian race track and nobody else is allowed to set up their team within the race track!

Whilst I', ranting, I'm still smarting by the fact that they got rid of all other brands from having stalls in the corridors (not that you could buy anything from them on the day, Yonex orders!), just goes to show that rather than up their game and sell good quality build rackets at a reasonable price, and keeping the badminton world healthy, they instead try and wipe out competition. The stalls in the corridors made the day so much better for those that were visiting and gave you a good choice of what was out there. Sadly this is no more, and one of the reasons that I haven't attended another Yonex All England's in years.

Might go next year as a group of people have asked me and I haven't been in awhile, but there isn't any point in turning up early just to have a look at over priced rackets with lots of marketing gimmicks. Rant over. For now……… 

P.S. Good luck Owen, but don't be nervous and just play relaxed. People won't know what to expect anyway so you could make a hash of shot and nobody will bat an eye lid (if you get what I mean)

Really enjoyed doing the para-badminton demonstration match today. Was certainly nervous though, made a few good shots and then completely missed the shuttle at times! Oops!

Whenever I do demonstrations like these I can’t help but feel slightly disappointed in myself as I dont show what I’m truly capable of.

All in all a great day was had met a few of the Chinese and Indonesian players backstage and got pictures taken. In fact it was the Indonesian team had asked us to take pictures with them!!