Provincials can be a very tough tournament series, says Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) badminton coach Steven Kaplan.
BCHS sent 15 players to compete at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association-hosted badminton provincial tournament, held in Grimshaw from May 4 to 5 and Kaplan says while medal-less, his players brought their “A” game.
Prior to provincials, 30 players participated in the April 25 North Central Zone tournament held in Edmonton, of which 15 advanced.
“It can be very tough, competing at this level and our teams did their best. I would say that to those for whom this was the first experience, each was impressed with the overall calibre of play,” Kaplan said, noting the best players in provincials are usually single sport athletes, many of whom have been playing at clubs in urban areas.
With that in mind, Kaplan said he believed the BCHS doubles and singles players faired very well.
“We had three players or teams in the hunt for bronze medals but ultimately they fell short. Irregardless, I’m quite proud of their efforts,” he said, adding this year’s contingent was the largest BCHS has brought to provincials.
Mira Agnew, one of the singles players that participated, said she was happy to have won a set period.
“Considering I was playing opponents two grades above myself, I think it was a good experience for me. I left feeling accomplished, in part because my original partner opted out and I was forced to compete in singles against Grade 12s,” Agnew said, noting that while she had come to the competition with doubts about her ability to play against more seasoned rivals, proving to herself that she can has brought more confidence.
Agnew said it wasn’t a given that she would be competing.
“It was a complete shock to me. I placed first in zones and did well at the local school level, but I didn’t think provincials were in the cards for me,” she said, adding the majority of her opponents pre-provincials were Edmonton-area school teams in zones.
“Hopefully next year will be better for all of us who competed,” she added.
