Helmsdale Primary School smashes it at badminton tournament

Helmsdale Primary School have shown they are a hit when it comes to playing badminton, coming top in the recent East Sutherland Schools Sports Association badminton tournament.

Seven schools took part in the competition for primary 6-7 pupils, including a visiting team from north-west Sutherland.

It was a busy afternoon at Golspie High School with all four courts in constant use for the tournament.

High Life Highland’s active schools coordinator Elissa Stevenson said: “It was brilliant to get the pupils together for another sporting event.

“We ran the tournament in a slightly different format which allowed us to increase the number of pupils per school, and we were delighted to welcome the pupils from north-west Sutherland back this year.

Girls' runner-up Eva Murray, Helmsdale, with Elissa Stevenson. Picture: High Life Highland

“There were lots of really great games with close rallies, and it was particularly pleasing to see the good sportsmanship on show between the opponents, passing shuttlecocks to each other between points, cheering on their teammates and shaking hands at the end of the games.

“A big thank you to the young leaders from Golspie High School, Rory, CJ, and Andrew, as well as Brandon from the North-West Sutherland School Group, for helping out on the day. Also to PE teacher Pat Sutherland and volunteer Gayle MacRae.”

After some extremely close games, the final results were:

Boys - 1 Shay Cowie, Helmsdale; 2 Jack Wilson, Dornoch; 3 Sholto Shaw, Helmsdale; 4 Kaiden Robertson, Lairg.

Girls - 1 Amelia Gordon, Helmsdale; Eva Murray, Helmsdale; 3 Gracey Ross, Dornoch; 4 Marley Montgomery, north-west Sutherland.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.