What
a great family bonding day we had at the Armadale Badminton Courts last
Saturday.
The day
started at 930 am with the excited children and parents registering for the
tournament with help from our volunteers including Li Fah, Wan Liang, Anthea, Kai Jie and Annie just to
name a few.
The
kitchen was staffed by Diane, Mrs Wong and a few other mothers whose names I
did not manage to get.
There
were over 60 teams competing at the tournament.
I
was partnered with Alex Wang, a 8 year boy
whose mum Jennifer insisted.
We
won our first game but could not win the other 3 despite trying our hardest.
This is the first time Alex has taken part in a Family tournament and I was
trying to explain to him that as a parent playing in the Under 11, I was not
supposed to smash the opponent.
He
kept asking me, “Uncle Raymond, why don’t you smash the parent”. He’s young but he will learn that the reason
for the tournament is to allow the young ones to take part with their parent
when they have a parent who plays. Hence, as a parent who plays, we always lift
the shuttle to the opposing child to give the child a chance to hit and
improve.
Alex
and his mother should have stayed after to watch the fun of the Over 14
tournament. That’s where some parents are not experienced
or even ever play. However, the good sports the parents are, they take part
with their child who is usually a WA state or even an Australian player. These
WA State and National players are such good sports covering their parents.
Special
mention goes to Emma Teoh, Irene Tan, Diane Tan, Mrs Lee (“Jason’s mum”). They
do not play at all but they look so good with their boys running all over the
courts covering them.
Even
Dong, who is Xiang’s dad should be patted on his back. Xiang is likely to
triple crown in this years Under 19
Nationals. Yet, he was laughing all the way covering his dad who does not play
badminton other than at the Family Tournament. Unfortunately, Dong did not do as
well as his wife who won the bronze last year with Xiang.
I
did have to speak to a young player who got upset with his father for not doing
better. I had to tell the child that the fact that his father was there to
partner him and to bond with him was more
important than anything he will ever win in his future badminton career.
I
have seen how I have spent time with my 2 boys in all their badminton careers. Tyzton has gone on to play for Australia with
his brother’s coaching advice. Jazton has
been in several state teams too but enjoys coaching Tyzton in all the national competitions. Both are now coaching and
enjoying it.
I
thank myself and my wife for being able to spend time with my boys in the badminton courts.
I am
sure the young boy I spoke to will one day be appreciative of his father who has
played as well as he could without the benefit of any of the training that the
young boy receives from Yu Li.
In
fact, I suggested to Yu Li that she should do a master class for all the
parents. I might just succeed in
persuading Yu Li to do a parent master class.
Coming
back to the Family Tournament. The winners were:
Over
14s:
3rd
place: Darren Lim and Jer Win Pai
2nd
place: Angie Yang and Katrina
1st
place: Aidan and Dave Wheeler.
Under
14s:
3rd
place: Martin Fong and Justin Lim
2nd
place: Gary and Vevina Yang
1st
place: Timothy and Iiyas Sentosa
Under
11s:
3rd
place: Zhi Run Tan and Donald hai
2nd
place: Mike Lee and Chin Wee Lee
1st
place: Ardy Xiao and Seryna Xiao.
Well, this is the 3rd family tournament
and I am sure next year will be even bigger.
