THE Jersey Badminton Association’s 49th Jersey Junior Open tournament takes place this weekend,

The Open, now part of the Badminton Association of England Satellite Circuit, has attracted an entry of 218 players to the New Gilson Hall at La Pouquelaye where the first shuttlecocks will be struck at 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon.The highest number of entries for many years should result in a good standard of competition for singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches in under-13, U15, U17 and U19 age groups.Entries include six players from England while Guernsey have a good representation of 34.

Jersey’s World Class player Mariana Agathangelou is a strong favourite for all her events while other leading contenders will be England players Hannah Littlecott and Vicky Ingram.Jersey players will face unknown opposition from Richard Wrigley at U19 level while Wrigley’s brother Kevin is competing in the U13 section.The Open commences on Friday with singles matches in U15, U17 and U19 sections.

Play continues throughout Saturday with finals scheduled to begin around 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.Jersey’s Val Wood and Steve Watson are tournament organiser and referee respectively.

Spectators are welcome.