Wales proudly made its debut at the Senior Nations Cup, held in the stunning city of Ronda, Spain, a four-day celebration of Masters badminton bringing together teams from across Europe.
The 35-strong Welsh squad competed fiercely ultimately securing 11th place overall. “It was an honour to lead the Welsh Masters team through international victory and loss at our inaugural Nations Cup,” said Barry Garnham, Team Captain. “This was a tremendous experience for the 35 players representing Wales, and it proved that our relatively small nation can compete at this level. We now have two years to grow Masters badminton within Wales and are determined to return stronger in 2027 aiming for a top 10 finish.”
A huge congratulations goes out to our neighbours England, who lifted the trophy after a nail-biting 13-11 win over Denmark in the final.
The Welsh team was proudly led by six age group captains:
Gareth Gooding (40+)
Catherine McCluskey (45+)
Roy Watkins (50+)
Andrew Kitching (55+)
David Markey (60+)
Huw John (65+)
The Spanish Badminton Federation provided outstanding hospitality, with the tournament run to a professional standard and set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ronda. “The off-court camaraderie matched the on-court intensity with the players earning their first Wales Masters caps, securing victories and forging friendships with international peers,” added Barry.
Watch the matches back on YouTube:
Senior Nations Cup 2025 Playlist
Full match details available at Tournament Software:
Match Results
With invaluable experience gained and momentum now firmly on our side, Wales is excited for what lies ahead as we continue to grow Masters badminton at home and push for greater heights in 2027.