A former Macclesfield junior champion is determined to realise a lifetime’s ambition this weekend by replicating his past successes and winning the English National Badminton Championships in Milton Keynes.
Matthew Nottingham, 21, has previously enjoyed success at under-13 level right through to the under-19s at the National Championships, but alongside Chris Coles is now hoping for a senior triumph.
Nottingham will also play in the mixed doubles with Lauren Smith but having only just been thrown together as a duo – it’s his partnership with Coles that he is particularly focussing his mind on.
Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis will be sizeable obstacles to overcome in the draw – but Nottingham is setting his sights high as he looks to claim silverware in Milton Keynes.
“It should be good,” said Nottingham. “Hopefully we can get to the semis in both at least.
“I think we’ve been given a target of winning the men’s doubles. It would be tough, we would have to cause a few upsets but we’d certainly like to be pushing for that final.
“It would mean everything; I’ve always wanted to win the Nationals. I’ve won the nationals at under-13s up to under-19s so I’d always wanted to compete at senior level and now that I am I just want to do as well as I can and win.
Nottingham believes he stands the best chance in the men’s category, given that he has only just hooked up with his doubles partner.
“I think the men’s would be a priority because me and Lauren [Smith] have literally just been put together because my partner’s injured so that’s more of a see what happens and hope for the best situation. I think we could do reasonably well I guess though.”
Nottingham insists chemistry is crucial to any pairing and that’s exactly why he enjoys the company of partner Coles on and off the court.
And the youngster is hoping his long-term partnership with Coles could prove the catalyst for success, while also insisting he hopes to forge a good relationship with Smith in Milton Keynes as well.
“Just the other night Chris came around to my house and we had a meal. You have to respect your partner and get on well off the court as well,” he added.
“When the Nationals were in Manchester he used to stay at my house up there and his parents did. We know each other quite well because we’ve played together for seven or eight years.
“You need to know your partner inside out. You need to know how each other is going to move and playing with Lauren is completely different to playing with my usual partner so we’ve had to talk and get to know how we do in different situations.
“Not everybody gels. There are some people that just don’t like each other, or you could get two net players and it wouldn’t really work.
“So you need a worker and one skilful player, that usually works and so I’m hopeful of doing well in both draws.”
You can watch live coverage of the finals on Sunday, February 9, from 12pm to 5pm at www.badmintonengland.co.uk/tv and tickets are still available to buy atwww.nationalbadmintonchamps.co.uk.
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