National High Performance Centre (North)
The NHPC is the top junior squad in North
Wales and as such has National squad junior players from all
across the North Wales coast.
I (Neil Cottrill) am the head coach,
appointed by the Welsh Badminton Union and I have 3 other coaches
to assist me. The squad receives specialist coaching,
working with players of a similar playing standard, as well as
specialised fitness testing and training programmes, a
competition programme and Sports Psychology support.
The age range of the squad is from Under 13's
through to Under 19's that are on the fringes of the Senior
national squad.
The centre comprises of 3 levels of
membership, depending on a combination of current ability,
attitude, physical ability and potential.
The top level predominantly consists of the
National squad players (NHPC). These players receive squad
coaching and individual work, to maintain levels and look to make
the transition to the National senior squad. There is a
large emphasis on fitness for the older players and the younger
ones are introduced to the physical requirements of the game.
They are expected to keep a competition and training log.
The second level is the Development group (HPCD).
These players receive squad coaching and if they show progress,
can move up to the NHPC. They predominantly work on their
basic techniques and base level of fitness. They are also
introduced to Sports Psychology techniques and have to maintain a
competition and training diary.
The third level is that of the sparring
players. They attend the fitness testing sessions and any
coaching sessions that they are invited to.
GOBC has several members of this centre,
some of which are not within National squads, but show the
potential to achieve this level in the future.
In the NHPC, we have Anthony Mason, Leanne
Mason, Danial Islam, Rohit Srinivasan and Nic Strange.
Anthony is an Under 19 player, who was part
of the HPCD last season. Anthony showed a good attitude
last year, along with excellent fitness results and improvements
in technical and tactical performance, which has brought about
his promotion to the NHPC. Anthony is a valuable member of
the squad as he practices with the National under 17's & 19's
in the squad.
Anthony's sister, Leanne has also gained promotion to the NHPC after excellent performance last season. Again, like her brother, Leanne has shown considerable improvement in technical and physical performance, which has seen her receive an invitation to train with the national under 17 "A" squad.
Danial Islam has been with the club since
it's formation and has consistently shown a high level of
commitment and performance. Danial is a member of the
National under13 squad and has also been promoted from last
year's HPCD.
Rohit Srinivasan is an extremely talented
all round sportsman, excelling at badminton, tennis and cricket.
Rohit is the reigning National under 13 boys singles and mixed
doubles champion and has moved into the National Under 15 squad.
Rohit is committing himself more to badminton this year, which I
am sure will result in more good performances in the future.
Nic Strange is the newest member of the
squad. He joined the HPCD half way through last season and
in this short time, has shown a considerable all round
improvement in all aspects of his game. He has been
promoted to the NHPC because of this and continues to improve his
standard of play.
The HPCD is predominantly made up of players
from other areas of North Wales, although the club does boast one
member, Laura Hartley-Williams. Laura joined the HPCD last
season and performed well, especially in the physical elements of
the game. Laura has shown good levels of improvement that has
consolidated her place in the HPCD group.
Matthew Owen was technically and physically
good enough for a place in the HPCD group, but due to school and
work commitments has become one of the sparring players. Matt
comes to help with hitting practices (work permitting) and also
gets the chance to participate in the physical fitness testing
programme.
Chi Fong Chan (HPCD), Steffan Whiteley and
Steven Gibbons (both sparring players) are also involved in the
centre to a varying degree. They are all Stella Maris
players, but also regularly attend the GOBC practices and club
nights.
There are a considerable number of the
club's junior players involved in this elite junior squad, which
bodes well for the future of the club.