Rachel heads Team Bath challenge at English Nationals
Rachel Howard will head the Team Bath challenge at this weekend’s English National Badminton Championships in Manchester.
Howard, a University of Bath Psychology graduate who trains at the University, is seeded two in the women’s singles. Top seed is Liz Cann, the bronze medallist at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
“Rachel has never made the semi-finals before at the English Nationals, but she’s playing well in training and is in good form,” said Pete Bush, head badminton coach at the University of Bath.
“She’s in the best form she has ever been going into the English Nationals.”
Panuga Riou (pictured with Chris Coles), a first year Coach Education and Sports Development student at the University of Bath is seeded at eight. The 18-year-old returns to action after suffering an ankle injury in November.
Another University of Bath-based teenager, Chris Coles, is seeded four for the men’s doubles with partner Matt Nottingham. The pair go into the tournament in good form after winning the Polish Under-19s two weeks ago, when Sports Performance student Coles also won the mixed doubles and was runner-up in the singles.
Riou and Coles are both supported by Jeff Trendell Scholarships.
Coach Education and Sports Development student Stuart Rowlands contests the men’s singles, with Emily Hollis (Sports Performance) and Vicky Primmer (Coach Education and Sports Development) teaming up in the women’s doubles.
University of Bath graduate Carl Baxter is seeded two for the men’s singles, with Harry Wright four, while the pairing of Mariana Agathangelou and Heather Olver are seeded two in the women’s doubles.
The English Nationals from Friday (4 February) to Sunday (6 February).
For further information please contact the TeamBath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518.
