Bristol Jets Announce Head Coach

22 March 2016

Bristol Sport is pleased to announce the appointment of Commonwealth gold medallist Rebecca Pantaney as head coach of the Bristol Jets.

Rebecca, formerly head coach of Gloucestershire Badminton, will link up with The Bristol Jets with immediate effect.

With a host of accolades including Commonwealth Games gold for Team England, gold and silver medals in her debut seniors tournament two years ago and recently winning the BWF World Senior Championships in Helsingborg, Rebecca will bring a wealth of playing experience coupled with coaching roles for The Falkland Islands and Gloucestershire Badminton.

Andrew Billingham, chief executive of Bristol Sport said: “We are really pleased that Rebecca has joined the team and look forward to working with her as we build The Jets franchise.

“She has had a great playing career and has also made the successful transition into coaching. It is an exciting time for the sport, not only in Bristol, but on a national scale as we look forward to the Rio Olympics this summer.

“We cannot wait to be involved in the National Badminton League (NBL). Rebecca is the perfect person to steer us to success in our first year.”

After agreeing to take on the role of head coach, Rebecca told Bristol Sport: “I am delighted that The Bristol Jets and Bristol Sport have chosen me to head up the Jets.

“My aim is to create a fantastically diverse and hard working group of individuals, who as a team, will become a dominant force in a very thrilling competition.”

Monday night saw the conclusion of the regular 2015/16 AJ Bell National Badminton League season, with the Surrey Smashers defeating Birmingham Lions 3-2 shown live on Sky Sports.

The Bristol Jets will join the NBL at the start of its third season, expanding to eight teams, pitting themselves against the likes of defending champions Team Derby, Loughborough Sport and Milton Keynes Badminton.

The season, which will be televised on Sky Sports, begins in October, with the club’s home games being played at the SGS Wise Arena alongside Bristol Sport’s basketball team, The Bristol Flyers.

For more information on the Bristol Jets, please visit www.bristoljetsbadminton.co.uk.