David Whittle

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Email the studio

Journey

Don't Stop Believin'

Listen Live

Double gold glory for Harrogate badminton star

Friday, 19 September 2025 06:20

Rhys Williams with U17 national age group coach Harley Towler.

A rising young badminton star from Harrogate clinched two gold medals in a prestigious national tournament where he played against competitors up to three years older.

This is the latest in a series of big wins for Ripon Grammar student and Olympic hopeful Rhys Williams, who plays in the top-level groups at Badminton England events.

The 14-year-old, who started playing when he was eight years old, consistently competes as the number one seed in U17 in badminton’s highest gold-level tournaments.

Now aiming to represent Great Britain at the Junior International Tournament in 2026, the ambitious young athlete said:

“I also hope one day to achieve great results at the European Championships and the Olympics."

Having won two championship titles in U17 Gold open singles and ranked 65th nationally in the elite open singles star category, Rhys has been selected for the England Junior Performance Pathway camps, which recognises the most promising junior national players, three times.

He achieved his latest golds at the U17 Gloucester Gold Championships, one in mixed doubles and one in singles, along with a bronze medal for open doubles, having collected three golds, one silver and a bronze in earlier championships, held all over the country, this year.

The teenager joined RGS in Year 10 in September and hopes to study engineering and sports management.

More from Local News

New exhibition opens to mark 200 years of Harrogate's first hospital

A new exhibition exploring Harrogate's history of health and wellbeing has opened to mark 200 years since the town welcomed patients to its first hospital.
Harrogate Brewing Co celebrates first anniversary on Royal Parade

Harrogate Brewing Co is celebrating its first anniversary after a year of trading on Royal Parade.
Lightwater Valley set to introduce another new attraction

Lightwater Valley has hinted that another new attraction could be on the way, days after launching a new rollercoaster.
Harrogate to host new event for book lovers this weekend

A brand new literary event is set to arrive in Harrogate this weekend, bringing together authors, readers and industry professionals for a celebration of genre fiction.
Harrogate MP calls for crackdown on 'effectively decriminalised' phone thefts

Harrogate MP Tom Gordon has called for urgent action to tackle phone theft after new figures revealed fewer than 5% of cases led to charges in North Yorkshire.
Harrogate disability charity launches fundraising drive for new centre

A Harrogate charity supporting young people and adults with complex disabilities is appealing for donations as it prepares to move into a new, purpose-fit space.
Harrogate GP set to be elected town's new Mayor

A Harrogate GP is set to become the town’s next mayor, with Viv Poskitt expected to be formally elected for the 2026/27 civic year.
Harrogate's Ibiza Symphonica drops Scott Mills from lineup

Harrogate's Ibiza Symphonica event has announced it will move forward without broadcaster Scott Mills.
'Inspirational' schoolgirl donates hair to help children in need

An inspirational local schoolgirl has donated her hair to charity after reading about a girl who couldn’t grow her own.
Harrogate dog lovers invited to volunteer as puppy trainers

Harrogate dog lovers are invited to discover how they could make a life-changing difference as a volunteer puppy trainer.
Police appeal after Harrogate man assaulted at home

North Yorkshire Police have launched an appeal after a Harrogate man was assaulted and verbally abused at home.
Morrisons opens 'Asian Corner' at Harrogate store

Morrisons has officially launched an 'Asian Corner' at its Starbeck store.
New ward-based library introduced at Harrogate Hospital

A new ward-based library has been introduced for patients at Harrogate and District Hospital.
Harrogate care home donates £1,000 to charity battling loneliness

A Harrogate care home has donated £1,000 to a local charity supporting older people at risk of loneliness and isolation across the region.
Builders unearth medieval well in Ripon city centre

A medieval well believed to date back hundreds of years has been uncovered in Ripon city centre.
Knaresborough teacher to run London Marathon in aid of Henshaws

A teacher from Knaresborough is set to take on the London Marathon later this month in support of a local charity.
Drugs seized and two arrested in Knaresborough

Two people are in custody after police executed simultaneous drugs warrants in Knaresborough yesterday (Tuesday).
Spiegeltent returns to Harrogate for summer extravaganza

It's back, and it's set to be bigger than ever.
Starbeck festival set to return for third year

A popular free-to-attend festival is set to return to Starbeck this summer.
Police appeal to locate Harrogate fuel thief

Police have released a CCTV image of a man following a fuel theft on Leeds Road in Harrogate.