Suffolk’s professional badminton team has named its line-up for its first ever home fixture.
The Suffolk Saxons’ only game so far in the AJ Bell National Badminton League (NBL) came away at Birmingham Lions, and ended in a 4-1 loss.
Now though head coach Anthony Clark and his team are ready to welcome the Surrey Smashers to Ipswich’s Corn Exchange on Monday for their first match in the town.
The team announced for the game is made up of two-time national champion Andy Ellis, Under 17 National Championships bronze medallist Zoe King and Danish international Julie Finne Ipsen.
The rest of the side is made up of Saxon’s debutant Sean Vendy, left-hander Joel Douse and Sarah Walker.
On the subs bench are Clark and Surita Patel.
Clark said: “We are ready and really looking forward to our first home fixture.
“We want the crowd to be loud, enjoy themselves and get behind us, as we’re going to put on a show.”
In Surrey’s team are Rio Olympics bronze medallist Chris Langridge and 10-time national champion Gabby Adcock, along with Line Kjaersfeldt, Sam Parsons, Sophie Brown and Tom Wolfenden. Substitutes are Luke Pearce, Steven Stallwood, Molly Chapman, Lynne Swan, Freya Patel Redfearn and Ben Stawski.
The fixture, which gets underway at 7pm (doors open at 6pm), will feature five events – men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.
All are best of five games and players can only feature in one event per match night.
Tickets cost £13.50 for adults or £7.50 for children and students and can be bought from the Corn Exchange Box Office.
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