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June 12, 2008 – 9:41 pm | by pipy889
TERANG junior badminton player Lucas Rais-Colvin has broken new ground becoming the first south-west player to play for Victoria.The 14-year-old became hooked on the sport just two years ago after he and his younger sister Rachael attended a come-and-try day at the Terang Stadium.
His interest in badminton has grown along with his success, to the point he holds it in greater regard than his other love - cricket.
Last weekend he attended a final selection trial in Altona and was selected in the state’s under 15 second team.
Victoria enters two teams in the national championships which will be held in Altona in October, with three boys and girls chosen in each side.
“I had to bring my A game to the trials on the weekend and it was very nerve-wracking watching all the good players,” he said.
Lucas plays badminton in Terang on Wednesday evenings, in Warrnambool on Friday nights and he travels to Bendigo once every few weeks as part of his selection in the Bendigo Badminton Academy.
He also travels the state during the year playing as many tournaments possible.
His sister and four other south-west badminton players are part of the Bendigo academy which is coached by level three coach Alan Hall.
Hall said it was pleasing to see Lucas earning rewards for his hard work.
“He’s put in, he’s willing to listen and he trains hard,” Hall said.
“It’s the first time anyone from anywhere near Warrnambool has made a state team.”
Hall said Victoria was a badminton powerhouse, underlined by the selections of Ross Smith, of Swan Hill, and Glen Wharfe, of Bendigo, in the Olympic team.
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Michael Scandolera was also from country Victoria
BY MONIQUE CRAPPER
The standard
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