HEATHER

  OLVER

  IN E SUSSEX

  2011

On Sunday 10^th, England Badminton star Heather Olver, came back to her home town of Heathfield and gave a coaching session with the youngsters of East Sussex Junior Badminton Association.  Heather had just flown home from playing in the German Bundeslige only the evening before but showed no signs of tiredness. Heather, currently ranked no.4 in Ladies Doubles and no.2 in Mixed Doubles, is a strong contender for being a part of the 2012 British Olympics Squad.

Heather demonstrated and involved the players in practices on the courts at the Freedom Leisure Centre, Heathfield.  The group was joined by four of the Association’s coaches and three players that had progressed into the County Junior Squads.  Heather’s career started out in a local junior club in Waldron run by former ESJBA chairman, Bruce Peapell.  Bruce highlighted what determination can do by reading from one of his original player profile cards, which had Heather at 6 years old and then through an injury was wheelchair bound for several months. The afternoon session concluded with an open question time, which parents also participated. Heather discussed her rigorous training regime, tournament partnerships along with her coaching likes and dislikes.