UNDER his leadership, the sport of badminton has become much more accessible across Tynedale.

And for his outstanding service to promoting the sport in and around Hexham, Vince Burini received a volunteer award at the recent Northumberland County Badminton Awards.

The passionate player and coach opened up avenues for local people from a variety of walks in life, and he helped Hexham Badminton Club treble its membership.

Once known as Hexham Private Badminton Club, Burini opened up the club to all with numbers going from 16 to 52 in its first year since the change. Four years ago, he started a junior section and the uptake with 350 local children taking part in sessions throughout that time.

For his work to encourage more people to play, which also includes his work through the Tynedale Community Badminton Network, he was recognised by the county.

Burini said: “I never thought I’d get this award. I’ve always been a badminton player, and for me it is about having fun and passing that on to others.

“I wanted to change the way badminton was played and you have to move with the times, and the idea is to make it attractive and fun.

“Badminton is a sport young people want to play but there wasn’t any opportunities to do that in a club setting, and they are really enjoying it.”