Trio aim to be top of the Scots
Youngsters are going for glory at national championships
Renfrewshire trio Erin Waddell, Iona Muir and Marc Graham have been touted as ones to watch at the forthcoming Scottish National Junior Under-17 and Under-13 badminton championships.
The seedings have been announced for the competition in Motherwell where the action will run over two days, beginning on April 7 at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
Ralston’s Waddell and Kenneth Cheung, of Glasgow, have been installed as third seeds for the Under-17 mixed doubles competition.
They will be looking to see off the likes of Christopher Grimley and Sarah Sidebottom, who have been named as favourites.
But they will also be faced with the prospect of coming up against Lochwinnoch’s Marc Graham who, partnered with Jodie Black, has been named as fourth seed in the same competition.
Waddell will also be in action in the Under-17 girls’ doubles as she and Alica Campbell of Glasgow look to wrestle the title away from holders Rachel Andrew and Rachel Cameron.
They have been tipped to have a good chance of doing just that, having been named as second seeds.
Graham, meanwhile, will also be in singles action in the Under- 17 boys category, seeded in sixth spot in what is sure to be a competitive field.
Renfrew’s Iona Muir, the youngest of the local competitors, will be looking to bag a medal in the Under-13 mixed doubles when she pairs up with Joseph O’Neill Ferrero.
The youngsters are also viewed with having every chance to come away with some silverware, having been seeded in second place.
A total of 40 players will compete in the Under- 13 competitions with 61 shuttlers in the Under-17 events.
Badminton Scotland chief executive Anne Smillie said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing what the players can produce at this year’s championships.
“It’s encouraging to see the calibre of players coming through in Scotland, as underlined by a very strong line-up this year.
“It is an exciting time for the sport with the upcoming Commonwealth Games set to showcase some of the world’s best players.
“Hopefully, some of next week’s players can go on and reach that level in the not too distant future.”