THERE were medals for Wee County youngsters at this year's Central Schools Regional Badminton Championships.

Taking place at Lornshill Academy last month, the event saw 35 pupils from Clacks and Stirling taking part in singles and doubles matches.

Clackmannanshire Sports Development creates a pathway for pupils to progress to this event from local competitions through their partnerships with Active Stirling, the Central Schools Badminton Group and Badminton Scotland.

The top three players or teams in each category from this regional championship will go on to represent Central Schools at the National Championship in May.

Four boys and four girls qualified from each local authority in the singles events by playing matches up to 21 points. The top two players from each group then qualified for the semi-finals.

The standard of play was exceptionally high and each match was keenly contested.

Isaac King, from Menstrie PS, came close in the boys' singles finals, but was beaten by Doune's Fraser Banks.

The third place and the bronze medal went to Robb Ferguson from St Serfs PS.

In the boys doubles competition Marcus Sinclair and Lachie Hunter from Dunblane were this year’s winners after a close fought final against Robb Ferguson and Logan McCrae from St Serfs PS. Third place and the bronze medal went to Liam Richards and Angus Crockett from Newton PS.

Meanwhile, Laura Buxel from St Margarets Primary School won the girls' singles, while Newton Ps duo Ailsa Livingstone and Kirsty McKendrick won the girl’s doubles competition

A spokesperson from Clackmannanshire Sports Development said: “A massive well done to all the participants at this year’s championship, all pupils were a credit to themselves and their schools.

"Also thank you to all parents and volunteers who gave up their time to make the event successful."

Paul O’Shea, Active Stirling Active Schools Coordinator, added: “Well done to all participants at this year's championships, and congratulation to all medallists on the day.

"The standard of badminton on display was excellent, and is credit to our school badminton programme. Thanks to all the pupils, and the teachers/volunteers who make the school clubs possible.”