THE Mid-Wilts Badminton Association presented mementoes to stalwarts Graham Long and John Murphy for outstanding contributions to the sport in the area at their annual meeting last week.
Murphy became a level two coach in 2005 and has coached after-school clubs for more than 1000 children in at least eight schools as well as managing successful junior teams in National Schools Championships and the Mid-Wilts Junior League.
A line judge at the All-England Championships, including in three finals, he has also officiated at European and world championships, as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and 2012 Olympic Games in London.
He helped to establish the Young Officials Award Course in 2007, running the first course in the country at John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge.
Long became Wiltshire’s newsletter editor in September 1997, then took up the position of registration secretary, as well as helping with county coaching and being part of the junior sub-committee.
He started Phoenix juniors in 1996 which are still going 22 years later and started the Mid-Wilts juniors in 1998.
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