THE English Schools' Badminton Association, which is celebrating 30 year's of play at Nottingham University, from 1971 to the year 2000, staged the Inter Counties Tournament.

Yorkshire team players, including Guiseley's Dawn Johnson, once again took the coveted title beating Essex eight games to two in the final. Surrey and Leicestershire played off for third and fourth place.

Results: 1, Yorkshire; 2, Essex; 3, Surrey; 4, Leicestershire.

At a celebratory meal at the Gateway Hotel team managers and umpire were presented with gifts to commemorate the event. Manager John Foster was presented with an engraved hip flask and Sue Foster an engraved compact. The chairman of ESBA, Eric Brown, presented the medals. The honoured guest was Steve Baddeley, president of the Badminton Association of England.

Team captain Dawn Johnson presented umpire Chalky with a commemorative cup. Dawn won the umpire's cup at last year's Yorkshire Awards for good line call, fair play and good sportsmanship.

The team manager commended the team on their skilful play, team spirit and determination to once again bring the title home to Yorkshire.

This is the last ICT for Dawn as she now moves to under-19s. Dawn has had the enviable place of playing in the last three year's competitions for Yorkshire and has won two English golds and silver in 1998 when Derbyshire took the winning title.

Dawn would like to thank Sue and John Foster for all their encouragement since she played in the Under-12s, and also Kevin Baker. John, Sue and Kevin are dedicated to Yorkshire Badminton and they and Yorkshire's motto is "putting players first".

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.