This year's tour is England vs Holland rather than England vs China as in most previous years.

It was suggested to me that Holland provide a more appealing match because the results will be less predictable.

In the China tours most of the chinese were under 20 players who within a couple of years could go on to be world class stars. If there was a fault of the china tours it is that England often fielded a team which was too weak. Certainly they needed to field an A team last time to have won the matches.

So is Holland vs England an appealling match up?

I think so. I'm certainly looking forward to umpiring at the Norwich event.

d
i agree with you on this one, the China series is only worthwhile when we put out the best we've got.
why not put the youngsters against Holland, it might be good international experience.

Darren,

Yes I think it should be a good series. The Holland team seem to be on the up, especially on the ladies side and could definitely be closer than the china series.

I agree that this is an opportunity to put in some of the younger players to give them some of the match experience that is necessary for the Thomas/Uber/Surdiman cups. It would be good to see some new faces given a chance...

I also think that it would be good for the promotion of the game in the country (both to the public, and experience for the players involved) if there were more than one series per year. Matches against slightly weaker nations don't necessarily need the top players and would give valuable match practice against different international opposition for the up and coming players. There's also plenty of places that the current tour doesn't go anywhere near (i.e anywhere in the midlands..) so there wouldn't be a problem in having too much badminton in one place.

Cheers,
Chris.

I am looking forward to seeing the Portsmouth & Hatfield venues.

The Dutch are very strong in Mixed and ladies singles so think we would have to use our top players in these, Julia Mann, Tracey Hallam, Robert Blair & Natalie Munt, Robertson & Emms. But with four venues, there is the opportunity to use other players/partnerships.

Chris

I agree that it would be great to see a couple of tours per year rather than the single one, problem would be with finding the time to get it organised......and of course.....actually finding the venues that are willing to hold such an event

You can always rely on Southend & District BA to help organise an event.

We have had a full house every time

I agree that an england v holland match will be more appealing to the english crowds as there is every chance of a win as the games will be closer. Having been to an england v china match, it can be quite depressing when the English team seem to be struggling. Hopefully this will bring up the profile of badminton in the UK

Could someone post a list of the venues for the Holland matches please ? Thanks.