On the professional road

Saturday 12th December 2009, 3:00PM GMT.

Kim Ashton in action in this year's Island Games in Aland

BADMINTON Island Games medallist Kim Ashton has moved to Denmark in what she hopes will be her first steps on the path to professionalism.

The 22-year-old joined the Topdirect Danish Badminton Academy in Hillerød, around 40 minutes from Copenhagen, four months ago and plans to stay there until the end of the playing season in April.

Now able to train and play badminton full time Ashton, who returned to the Island for the Credit Suisse Jersey Senior Badminton Open last week, is focused on securing her place at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

She said: ‘It’s really good to be in Denmark, I’m on court for two hours every day plus I’m in the gym a lot more and we have club practice twice a week. I’m playing in the Danish league for Holte Badminton Club at the second highest level and will be doing some individual tournaments.’

Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post.

Click here for subscription details.

Individual editions are also available online.