Oliver Stapleton
I am 19 and am in my second year studying medicine at the University of Sheffield.
I started playing badminton at Beverley when I was 10 after playing at Molescroft Primary. I began playing on the Badminton England Junior circuit in October 2016 and was picked to play for Yorkshire Juniors in February 2017. Before Covid hit, I helped coach at Beverley Badminton Monday junior sessions after passing my BE Foundation Award in Coaching which the club funded. I also competed in Junior Internationals. My first international tournament was the Lithuanian U17 International, where I reached the quarter finals in doubles. I also played in the Cyprus International, where I reached the semi-finals in singles, doubles and mixed to win 3 bronze medals.
I now compete on the Senior Badminton England Circuits. I also play for the Yorkshire Seniors 2nd and 3rd team in the BE Senior County Championship, having started playing for them when I was still a junior in 2018. It has been a great experience as I have played against senior international players. I have learnt a lot and enjoyed every moment of it. When I’m home, I still play mixed for Beverley Badminton Club in the Hull and District League.
During my first year at Sheffield University, I was awarded one of only two catalyst sports scholarships which really helped my training. I play for the university 1st team which I really enjoy and I have qualified for the main draw at the BUCS Nationals 2 years in a row for singles as well as doubles. This year (2023), I have gained my Level 2 coaching certificate and in addition to playing for the 1st team, I also coach them.
Having started training at Beverley Badminton Club, I was later invited to train at Hull & East Riding Performance Centre. When I was in Y12, I moved to train at the Sheffield Performance Centre where I went to train with many England international players/coaches. I also changed my 1-to-1 coach at this time and the regular sessions enabled me to move from being ranked 199th in the country to 61st for singles. I also travelled to Oxford during school holidays, where I trained with the U19 National Champion and a group of other elite players.
Updated 2023
2019-20 Season
Li Ning Cyprus U17 International (Dec 19) – 3rd place in Singles, doubles and mixed
Lithuanian U17 International (Oct 19) – Quarter-finals in doubles
Harrogate Senior Silver (Sept 19) – Quarter-finals in singles
Nottingham Senior Gold (Feb 20) – Singles last 16
Wimbledon U19 Gold (Oct 19 ) – Quarter finals in mixed doubles, Singles last 16
Badminton England Foundation Award in Coaching (March 2020)
Previous seasons
U18 Yorkshire Restricted (Sept 18) – Singles Runner Up
U16 Most Improved Yorkshire Player (July 18)
U16 Yorkshire Open (May 2018) – Singles Runner-Up
U16 Cheshire Open (April 18) – Singles Runner-Up
U17 Nottingham (March 18) – Singles Winner
U17 Cumbria (Dec 17) – Singles & Doubles Winner
U17 Cheshire (Dec 17) – Singles & Doubles Winner
U17 Lancashire (Nov 17) – Singles Winner
U17 Northumberland (Oct 17) – Singles & Doubles Winner
U16 Yorkshire Special Player Award (July 17)