Two separate events packed the courts at Rally Niagara this December: its first-ever Merry Christmas Mixed Doubles Adult Tournament and the Second Fall Classic Kids Tournament Event featuring two-level competition for elementary and middle school aged students.

Classification as a “Super Regional” allowed the New England Junior Open to attract 132 players to the competition, 16 more than last year. In spite of Hurricane Sandy wrecking havoc on the U.S. East Coast, the tournament hailed participants from 13 different states. The added time length of this USAB Junior Ranking Tournament allowed room for new talent.

USAB announced a change in this year’s upcoming Junior International Trials in Los Angeles.  According to its website, the Junior Advisory Group confirmed that players will have to qualify in order to compete in the trials.&nb

            
Rally Niagara Badminton

 Mixed Doubles – Merry Christmas Tournament

 Sunday, December 16^th - 1:30 PM

Camp Features 5 Top Coaches and an Opportunity to Spar with Competitive Players in the Region.

The National Capitol "DC" Open is taking place January 11-13, 2013, at it's usual location in the SPH gym at the University of Maryland in College Park. It is expected this tournament to be a USAB ranking tournament, with prize money of at least $4000.  More details will become available soon at it's usual website at http://www.astro.umd.edu/badminton/dcopen

Deadline for registration has been set to Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Back in April of 2012 I competed in the Junior International Trials (JIT), which was the qualifying tournament to represent the USA.  At the end of the three day tournament, I was honored enough to place in two events out of three: first place in U15 girls doubles and third place in U15 mixed doubles. 

My time at nationals was an experience I will never forget because I got to play against the best players in the nation.  And I liked all the competitive matches.  I also like to watch all the older players and think to myself someday I want to be as good as them.

Team Event on July 22-24, Individual Event on Jul 25-29

After successfully qualifying to represent the U.S. during the Junior International Trials held last April, five Massachusetts Juniors head off to Canada and competed in the 2012 Pan American Junior Badminton Championships.