The Inter-Counties Tournament (ICT) previously also known as “Inter-County Junior Badminton Championships” is one of the biggest events of the calendar for junior badminton players! The tournament is where 30+ of the best county teams in the country come together to battle it out for the 'title'. It has been a statement tournament in the calendar since 1966!

This year it ran over four days, with 20 courts, 30 teams and over 300 Players… ICT is the highlight of any serious junior players year, with teams descending on Nottingham University for four days of compelling competition, singing, cheering and beating drums!

With a young but incredibly hopeful team Berkshire excelled themselves this year reaching the top 4.  Where they had to battle it out to decide their final rank! They had their toughest opponent up first! Leinster (2023 Champions) which was never going to be an easy task. The matches were close and a very experienced team opposed us, every point mattered and the  Berkshire players didn't dissapoint.  The team achieved a respectable 7-3 loss but certainly could have been a 5-5 draw or a 6-4 win. Next, they faced 2023’s runners up, Yorkshire in the evening session! This was no easy feat, however, Yorkshire being seeded 1 was on the way to win the tournament and add another gold to their many that have been accumulated over the years, The coaches came out with a game plan and the players executed, even after being so tired from the Leinster match earlier in the day. The team managed to secure a 6-4 win, with two matches going to 3 sets it really could have gone either way!

The teams final match was against Kent. A county well known by Liam our Head Coach - an ex-member of Kent and a regular coach there. The stage was set for a great match-up, which inevitably was another unbelievably close match with 5/10 games going to 3. However there was no giving up for our Berkshire hopefuls who won the match 6-4 and achieved them an incredible silver medal! Berkshire's second medal ever achieved, which hasn’t been achieved since 2015!

A huge congratulations to all of the players, parents, coaches and volunteers involved! It cannot be emphasised enough how much work and time goes into competing in these events so a thank you to everyone who has contributed.

Our 2024 Superstars:

• Nived Neelakandan
• Moksha Pallapothu
• Benjamin Richardson
• Tejas Singh
• Neerav Soni
• Anushka Ambrose
• Ruby Clark
• Jemima Ellis
• Tranthini Kumaravel
• Holly Ranson

Coaches:

• Liam Chan (Head Coach)
• Lia Willis (Assistant Coach)

A respectable 20th place for Berkshire.

After a year away from the ICT tournaments, Berkshire pulled together our up and coming juniors to take to the Nottingham University stage to compete against 30 other various counties.

After a tough group placing 3rd, Berkshire was set up against Lancashire and Northamptonshire in round 2. Berkshire did an astonishing job at beating the young hopefuls of Northants 9-1, giving them confidence moving into the Lancashire match. Some really tough games thought, with 3 matches going to 3 sets. Eventually Lancashire pulled through winning 7-3 overall.

In the last round to determine where Berkshire would be placed, we found ourselves against Norfolk, Derbyshire and Warwickshire. Berkshire played wonderfully against both Norfolk and Derbyshire taking each match 8-2. Berkshire was now fighting for 19th/20th place. Warwickshire pulled out all the stops with many games being tight, with Warwickshire narrowly pulling through winning 7-3.

A big well done to all the players, parents, coaches and volunteers who all had a hand in Berkshire being able to field a team.

Our 2023 Superstars:

• Sahil Cherukuru
• Zeb Khan
• Benjamin Richardson
• Tejas Singh
• Neerav Soni
• Shreya Tyagi
• Ruby Clark
• Daisy Ellis
• Manya Dhallam
• Holly Ranson

Coaches:

• Vikkie Primmer (Head Coach)
• Liam Chan (Assistant Coach)