RACHEL PREPARING FOR THE NEW SEASON

Update from Rachel:

Unfortunately I experienced a stress fracture of my right tibia beginning of June

After four weeks of being on crutches (and going on holiday to Australia!) I’ve been gradually getting back into full training... starting with swimming and rehab exercises and more recently moving into badminton training and plyometrics etc...

I'm Hoping to be fit for end of September

Between now and Christmas the tournament plan for the ladies singles squad is:

• York Elite (not playing myself)
• Belgium (not playing)
• Czech (hoping to be fit for this – 25-28^th September)
• Hungarian
• Wimbledon Elite
• Norwegian
• Irish
• Italian

Even though missing first elite, there are two others (wimbledon in november and sussex in april) so may still be able to win the circuit like I did last year

I am remaining focussed on singles this season, so not so much doubles play.

I am training at the national centre in Milton Keynes, five days per week, coached by Chinese born Yvette Yun Luo. The ladies singles squad consists of players: Elizabeth Cann, Sarah Walker, Nicola Cerfontyne and Helen Davies

Achievements last season:

• Won the national elite circuit (York and Wimbledon elite winner)
• Reached semi-final of an international challenge event in Bulgaria
• Notable wins against Anu Neminem and Elizabeth Cann (top 40 players)
• First senior cap at Uber Cup in March
• Selected for European Championships in April

Goals for this season:

• To get back to level at which I was playing before my injury
• To do well on the national elite circuit (it may be difficult to win again as I’ve missed the first tournament due to injury)
• To reach semi-finals of international events and english nationals
• To beat top national and international players

Rachel is pictured here as part of the photo shoot that took place last weekend.

Welcome to the Rachel Howard Blog

Last season Rachel Howard was ranked number 1 ladies singles player on the Elite tournament circuit, she earned her 1st England cap, and represented the British Universities team. She did all this whilst studying full time and practicing when and where she could.

This season will be her first season will be her first as a full time player. She is on the Elite athlete's program and is one of the big hopes for england ladies singles.

This blog will give a unique insight into Rachel's progress this season. Find out what playing at the highest level of the game all over the world is like, the ups and the downs, the tips and tricks and the inside track on world badminton.