Perry brings home top accolade

11:00am Tuesday 13th November 2007

BADMINTON

ONE of the brightest young sports stars in Essex scooped a top accolade at the 2007 Essex Sports Awards.

Lee Perry beat off stiff competition to collect the Gifted and Talented Award for his successes, one of nine awards dished out to the best sportsman, supporters and investors.

Perry, who is now at Loughborough University, is ranked third in singles at U19 level nationally and soon hopes to break into England's senior top ten.

His personal achievement coincides with his former school, Davenant Foundation in Loughton, being awarded academy status by Badminton England last month.

The school has a large after-school and Saturday clubs, and has an illustrious track record of producing county level badminton players, which is no surprise given ex-world champion Nora Perry provides tuition.

"It is brilliant for the school because we have done a lot for the sport," Ms Perry said. "We have two dedicated courts and many county players train here."

The special status is in recognition of the school's development programme and comes with £250 in vouchers to spend on sports equipment. And it is doubly significant as badminton has been identified as one of 12 discplines that Great Britain will hope to grab medals for in Beijeng next year.