YOUNG badminton star Charlotte Graham has scooped more national honours. 

The Hexham teenager won five medals at the Badminton England national circuit event at Thornaby-on-Tees. 

Charlotte and Amy Ward, of Westerhope, won gold in the U15 girls’ doubles.

Their success included a 21-18 win over a pair from Nottingham in the semi-final, and a 21-13 win over a leading duo from Yorkshire in the final. 

Charlotte and Amy also competed in the U17 girls’ doubles, and the pair took home bronze medals. 

There was a silver medal for Charlotte in the mixed doubles, alongside Walbottle’s Jack Tilbury. 

Their defeat in the final, against a pair from Glasgow, followed wins over opposition from Nottingham and Yorkshire. 

A fourth medal for Charlotte came when she won bronze alongside Ponteland Badminton Club’s Tim Bodani in the U17 mixed doubles. 
They defeated two Yorkshire pairs, before losing to the eventual gold medallists, from Lancashire. 

Charlotte, who also won bronze in the girls’ singles category of the two day event, has enjoyed a fruitful few weeks in badminton.

Earlier this month, the 13-year-old won three medals at a Badminton England national circuit event in Newcastle.

In September, she won five gold medals at the Northumberland Junior Championships.

Charlotte, who recently made her debut for Elmfield Badminton Club in Newcastle, praised the contribution of her coaches Martin Fagan and Mike Woodward.

She said: “I enjoy testing my form and progress against very good players from other counties. 

“I’ve been proud of how my Northumberland teammates have performed too. 

“We all know that the hard work we’re all putting into it is paying off.”

Charlotte, who said she is looking forward to future challenges, added: “I know that playing with adults each week and also for my club in the adult league is helping me progress.”


Badminton England is the country’s governing body of the sport.

It hosts events and initiatives aimed at developing and growing the popularity of badminton. 

The organisation runs school programmes and also offers coaching opportunities for people of all ages.