In discussions with many of our players it seems the concept of the County Masters is a bit of a mystery. It needn't be! As affiliated members of Cheshire County Badminton Association then we are signed up to representing the county in Badminton England organised events. Primarily that means two events: the continuous county championship played across the season and the one off challenge event over a weekend in January.  Cheshire is one of the smaller but very successful counties. Players are drawn from Macclesfield, Stockport, Wirral, Crewe, Chester, Warrington and elsewhere across the county. 

There are many other Badminton England events that you (as an affiliated member) can enter as an individual in addition to this but I am referring specifically to playing for the county. You may be tempted to think that you are not of a sufficiently high standard to represent your county. That is certainly not true - Crewe league boasts some very high standard Masters who would feel more than comfortable playing county. We do, of course, have several current players who are already involved. The Masters circuit is quite large in that it covers age groups at Over 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70. The competitions are limited to players in that range. The playing squads for each group are relatively small. The county are always on the lookout for new recruits in all age groups. 

Throughout the season there are several Sunday practise days at Ellesmere Port (home of the county squad) from 11.00 till 1.00. This is an opportunity to play against more than one age range, there is nothing better than an over 70 player taking on an over 60 player and coming out on top! The practises are hard but rewarding. 

If you are a Masters player and would like to challenge yourself to step up a level, then please get in touch with me in the first place. Alternatively we have Masters county players at Welsh Row, Goostrey, Northwich, South Cheshire, Canute and Remnants if you want to ask around. 

This is a really good opportunity to test yourself and improve your game, especially if your club does not have a Masters team. New Years resolution perhaps?