SOLIHULL’S Kiara Henry had enjoyed a stellar 2018/19 badminton season, having achieved success at domestic and European level.
The year 12 pupil, who studies at The Sixth Form College, opened her season with a first European title at the Danish Junior Cup back in August, competing in the U17 category, and then consolidated that success with a bronze medal at the Swedish Youth Games a month later.
She played a key role in ending the dominance of Buckinghamshire in the under-18 Inter County Tournament – played at the University of Nottingham – as Warwickshire took home a first team title in the 53 years of the competition in April.
Warwickshire had been runners-up on five occasions in the past, but finally marked their name as champions this year, having dropped just five matches from 55 played.
Heading into the play-offs for the top four places with Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire – the Bears won a further 27 out of 30 matches played to secure silverware.
Having achieved success at junior level, Henry has also enjoyed a taste of action at senior level with Warwickshire’s first team, and helped the county to earn a play-off place in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League.
However, she was unable to take part in the play-offs, since she had also been selected to compete at the National College Games finals in Nottingham for the West Midlands college team.
Her inclusion in the side was vital for West Midlands, as she did not drop a single set during the three-day tournament, helping her team to take the title.
Henry hopes to follow up her success to date with further silverware on international duty with England, with a busy summer of badminton awaiting the budding star.
