Caol sweeps the boards at badminton championship

Caol Primary stole the limelight at this year’s Lochaber Primary Schools Badminton Championship, taking first place in both the boys’ and girls’ competition, as well as a silver medal and a fourth place.

Last year’s winners, Lundavra, scooped up two of the remaining medals, with Banavie sneaking into the medals table with a silver.

In the girls’ final, Dana Edwards, who won the bronze medal last year as a P6 pupil, beat Banavie’s Freya Flemming. Charleigh Adams, from Lundavra took the bronze, in the play-off match against Caol’s Keira Cameron.

In the boys’ tournament, it was again last year’s bronze medalist Kian Duncan who came through in a close final against his class mate Ross Dempster. The play-off was an all-Lundavra affair, with Ryan Souter beating Jordan Cameron.

Organised by High Life Highland’s Active Schools co-ordinator Bridget Thomas, in conjunction with the primary and secondary PE staff, the event attracted entries from 10 primary schools: Arisaig, Banavie, Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Aber, Caol, Invergarry, Inverlochy, Lundavra, Mallaig, Spean Bridge and St Columba’s.

Pupils took part in a round-robin format tournament, competing to earn a place in the quarter finals.

Tension mounted as pupils were knocked out and the semi-finalists took to the court.

Fresh from battle, the losing semi-finalists came back on court to fight it out in a third and fourth place play-off.

Thanks went to Lochaber High School for hosting the competition and to the senior pupils on the Level 5 Leadership course, who refereed and supported on the day.

First, second and third place finishers in the badminton tournament with Lochaber High School students, back row, who were coaches for the day.

Dana Edwards, left, and Kian Duncan finished first in the girls’ and boys’ schools badminton competition.