Simon Hardcastle, 15, from Billericay, took all three titles in the Home Counties Under 16 Badminton Championships in Dublin at the weekend.

Hardcastle, who is the current triple national champion, won the Boys Singles, the Boys Doubles with partner Andrew Smith (Hampshire) and the Mixed Doubles with partner Hayley Connor (Surrey).

Competition was fierce with the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competing. Winning these three titles means that Simon is now the undisputed British Champion at Under 16 level.

As well as Simon's wins, England took all of the gold and silver medals in the Individual Events and in the Team Event, the team from England completely dominated beating Ireland, Scotland and Wales 9-0 to take the Douglas Hendrey Trophy.

English team officials were delighted and declared this the best ever result for an English team in these championships.

Simon is now training hard for the English Under 19 Championships at Bath on January 28-30, followed by the Under 17 Nationals at Doncaster the following week.

Simon Hardcastle.

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