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Summer 2008
"I am delighted to report a very successful and fun 4 weeks in The Gambia this summer. Firstly we took out 8 players to participate in the annual international match. Mary was sensational in all she did in Gambia, organising the players, dinner, drinks and tables etc. The list just goes on.
More importantly though was how she mixed with The Gambians. She spent time with all of them and made a massive difference. She made many new friends and I for one am very proud of how she dealt with everything from the very hot weather, huge thunderstorms and rain, and her time spent with The Gambia people and players.
The match went down to the last day with UK winning the final game to secure the trophy. The Gambians had the better start but once our UK boys adapted to the conditions they played awesome. Inspiring and encouraging each other to turn a 3-1 deficit around. Mary and myself were very proud of their behaviour and the way they all played and made new friends. So Sam, David, Ryan, Bob, Jamie, Jake and Tom well done, I hope you will come back when the time is right for you.
Each day we had a hectic schedule, playing a match each day followed by our players taking it in turn to bring back 4 different Gambian players to the hotel each day to swim and have dinner with us. Every night bar one we then went back to the village at night to sit with the locals drinking green tea and on occasions buying all of them evening dinner! Some evenings the weather was that bad we thought a night in Youna was going to be the answer. Fortunately, Abu our close friend and driver was always on hand to negotiate the poor water covered roads. We visited the crocodile pool and unfortunately the crocs were offered some of our boys for dinner but they refused!
A fine day was had swimming at the Sheraton 5 star hotel. We took 9 Gambian players and had the run of the hotel for a day. Much local shopping was done, with everyone buying the African clothes and getting into the Gambian way of things.
I remember fondly the way the UK boys supported each other in the match on the last day and their celebrations after winning the cup. The UK team left after two weeks making many new friendships. Our two Leeds boys Raj and Joel helped us organise the matches and indeed showed their skills along with Mary on court. Hopefully they are working for us to raise further funds to enhance the Hall which it badly needs.
After the first two weeks I stayed on for a further two weeks working with The Gambian Team on their Badminton England Awards trying to improve their standard of play. The third week was very quiet as The Gambians seemed to be coming to terms with the return of the UK people. Actually, add me to that as well. But the peace was shattered with the suprise return of Leo to the Gambia! I took Ams, Samba, Abu and Saul on a ride out for the day in the Jeep. Little did they know what was about to happen as Leo turned up at the airport. He too carried on from where he left off and worked well with the new team.
Keep on visiting this site for more stories of the trip and updates."
- Tim Mawer
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May 2008
"I have just returned after 11 hot days at Youna, training our team each day to achieve new standards of play. This trip included a match against the local teachers! Our players are very keen and working hard towards the match against my UK team late July.
On this trip they learnt the slice dropshot and we worked on consistency within the game. I spent the latter part of the day in Youna. I would like to make a special mention of Modu Boy, one of our players. He allowed me to have an outside bath at his compound each evening and looked after me, fetching water and cooking the food I provided for the team. He provided his bed outside for me to sit on and talk with my fellow players. He is 15 years old and runs the compound with his mother; sadly he lost his father 2 years back and supports his mother in bringing up two younger brothers and a sister. He has to repeat his whole year 9 grade again due to the fact his name was not put on a list to the examination board. Not only is he a good player, he is so nice with a huge smile for someone who has been through so much for a 15 year old. He is a good enough reason alone as to why I keep putting my time into this project.
Now we have so many players with a new league starting by Demba, one of our players, who is driving this for me to increase the standard and raise the squad size past 50. With this in mind I am looking at the possibility of increasing the size of the hall to three courts and providing solar panals and air conditioning. This will cost about £40k... any ideas?"
- Tim Mawer
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19 April 2008
"We have just returned from the best trip I have ever been involved in... wow, just non-stop over the 7 days and you can now read Sue Taylor's report of her time in The Gambia. We visited Youna day and night, worked hard with the badminton, trained the players, renewed the lines and provided all the players with new clothes and equipment. I would like to thank Sue, Tom and Sam for making it the most fun trip ever. Special thanks to Running Imp International and Carlton for their kind donations.
On the last night, the Gambians sang us a song and said their goodbyes to Sue, Tom and Sam. Many tears followed from all parties representing a general feeling of togetherness and enjoyment over the week. I have never witnessed in my 18 trips so many Gambians so upset at our departure.
Well done Tom, Sam and Sue. You're the best and I am so proud of you all and delighted to have committed people back onboard with the project. They deserve this over there and lets make it happen once more."
- Tim Mawer
4 April 2008
Sue Taylor, Tom Gregory and Sam Gilpin have been working hard to raise funds and support the project. They are now looking forward to their first trip in early April. Let's hope they enjoy their time in the Gambia.
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February 2008
A fresh start - A new challenge
"This project started in 2004 and four years later we have a fresh start with a new headmaster at Youna, a new team and just me looking after things for the time being.
I have just returned from another amazing trip to The Gambia and you can find my diary for the week in the News Archive. Please also take a look at the updated team and join me on this new journey."
- Tim Mawer
27 January 2008
Master
It is with great sadness that I have to inform our readers of the death of the Youna Headmaster Lamin, known as Master.
In his own words, he was a difficult man to deal with and indeed since 2004, with various people by my side, that has been the case. However, he also had a great sense of humour. I have sat on many occasions with him and enjoyed his conversations. He taught me much about Gambia and how people work different to us.
During 2005 when I was trying to get the shuttles released from the port in Banjul we travelled almost daily during the month of August. It would always cost me lunch but you knew it was worthwhile. He taught me much and was thankful in a different way for all our efforts.
I indeed intend to dedicate something we do in Youna at badminton to his name. His death comes at a time when changes are taking place within this project... new players and new staff at Youna to work with will hopefully bring a fresh start, fun and success.
- Tim Mawer
Lamin - 'Master'
17 January 2008
After time to re-think during the festive season, it is time for a few changes for this worthwhile project so here are some thoughts from me to try and action during 2008.
- Establish a new team of players from Youna School
- Provide rackets for those who do train weekly
- Look at ways of improving the training and monitoring of the training
- Take a team of UK players in the summer to play a return international match
- Contact British High Commission to look at Options to bring two players to the
UK sometime in the future
These plans will be difficult but I still have the will and desire... but much more relaxed these days!!
- Tim Mawer
11 December 2007
The Future
"Following a successful yet difficult summer in the Gambia, we looking at the future to see what developments we can make in the coming year. We are open to suggestions and volunteers!
My best wishes go out to all who have supported the project over the last 12 months, and all the very best for the festive season."
- Tim Mawer
8 December 2007
We have just completed our annual Badminton Marathon and have raised a further £2,000 towards our on-going development of badminton in The Gambia with our players.
The event was alot of fun this year, many players had tired legs but won good prizes. Carlton UK turned up for the day, Macdonalds sponsored us by providing food and Nigel at the local chip shop also chipped in!!
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1 November 2007 - Gail & Nathan smash into Lincoln
October 18th saw Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson visited Lincoln for the second time to help Tim and Leo with their Gambia efforts, after visiting LSST for the first time when over 50 of the students attended.
My highlight, flick serve winner against Gail; Leo's highlight, winning a smash against her, and joint highlight was Leo and myself playing them at doubles... although we still lost!
Next was William Farr where Gail and Nathan spent over two hours on court, entertaining our Lincolnshire youngsters. Matt and Tom from Carlton provided great support all day - we are grateful for their support as the event would not have happened without it. Many thanks to Carlton UK and of course, Gail and Nathan.
Morrisons Bag Pack
20th October we spent bag-packing in Morrisons raising further funds for the on-going development of Badminton in The Gambia. Many thanks to our helpers who raised over £900 on the day. We have applied for further bag-packs next year to aid those who want to attend the summer 2008 trip (subject to planning and commitment).
Training Update
Regular weekly training is still taking place on saturdays at Youna, sponsered by our group funds. Numbers have been low mainly due to the Ramadan season. Players attending having been locals from Youna.
- Tim Mawer