Powell makes switch to Milton Keynes

She might have a National Badminton League title under her belt already, but Lydia Powell insists she has plenty left to achieve after making the switch to MK Badminton this summer.
Lydia Powell in action at last season's National Badminton League finals' dayLydia Powell in action at last season's National Badminton League finals' day
Lydia Powell in action at last season's National Badminton League finals' day

The Hastings-based player was part of Team Derby last term and helped her side claim the inaugural NBL title with a dramatic final victory over Loughborough Sport.

Last season saw Powell play in the women’s doubles but, while she was part of a championship-winning team, the singles game is where her heart lies.

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And the 19-year-old says the switch to MK Badminton is one that can provide her with the platform necessary to succeed in the individual format and is relishing the new challenge.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Powell said. “I changed teams and made the switch from Derby, and I am looking forward to the change.

“I wanted to get more exposure playing in the event that I train for, which is singles. I had to look at what the options were and then deal with the answers I got.

“It is nice to be a part of a new team. I know most of the guys anyway and I’m looking forward to meeting the new players.

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“Last season I did train mostly singles, but I was getting good results in doubles. Going forwards singles is the discipline so I wanted to get match play against older players. I’ll be the youngest singles player in the league, so it will be really great for me to have the opportunity.

“Obviously it was great to win the NBL with Derby and say you’ve been there and got that shirt, but now I am just looking forward to the new season.”

With changes galore in the NBL this season there will be plenty of new faces to contend with for Powell, but she says the chance to learn from, and pit her wits against, international stars can only be a good thing.

“MK have two Danish players. I am looking forward to seeing them, they make our team strong,” she added. “I think that obviously we have a few younger players in as well and that will be good as well to see how we react under that sort of pressure.

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“I think a lot of people immediately asked why have you gone from there to that team? But like I said before ,for me it is about developing.

“I admired MK last season for having belief in the younger players which I think this is what this league is meant to be about as well, I just wanted to be a part of that.”

For NBL fixtures, tickets and team news visit nationalbadmintonleague.co.uk or follow @NBL_official on Twitter.

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