Perfect 10 for state champion

THE Tasmanian Badminton Championships have added another feather to the cap of local player Rowan Henderson.

He broke his own record last weekend to register a remarkable 10th Tasmanian title in 15 years in an hour-long 15-21, 21-17, 21-18 victory over William Ponsonby.

The 34-year-old teaching student from Blackmans Bay has been playing badminton since the age of 10.

“When I first started it was the physical challenge of it. I had been involved in hockey, football and a few other sports but I liked the mental and physical challenges of badminton,” he said.

“It’s not that well known in Tasmania, but to play at a higher level is extremely physically demanding, and I was attracted to that.”

Despite now splitting his time between playing and coaching, Henderson is clearly as passionate about the sport as ever as he prepares to play in the GOSEN Australian Malaysian National Championships in Hobart on September 16-17 before taking a well-earned break over summer.

Henderson still juggles singles, doubles and occasionally mixed doubles badminton and has no intention of giving the sport away as he ushers in a new wave of young players.

“There are a few young players that I most likely won’t be able to beat next year, but I will definitely be staying involved in badminton,” he said. Anthony Osborn is a UTas journalism student.