The name of a long standing executive member - and president - of the Isle of Man Badminton Association will never be forgotten thanks to trophies donated in his memory.

Highly respected official John Hemensley served on the executive committee for around 40 years and was president at the time of his death. He also acted as press officer for a time.  Two trophies have been donated by son Ian, also a keen badminton player, and these have just been presented for the first time.

Said Ian: 'I was keen to do something to mark my father's long time involvement in the game and when the Association came up with a new concept within the sport to honour his memory I was delighted to agree.'

The initiative has seen teams throughout all the Island badminton leagues voting, in every match, for which of their opponents they felt had put up the best overall performance during the contest.  At the end of the season the 'player of the match' awards were added up and the male and female team members with the most votes were awarded the Hemensley Player of the Season trophies.

First winners turned out to be Avinash Chandarana - a 22 year old trainee actuary with Zurich - who played for St. Ninian's  in League Three and Carolyn Brown who represented Kirk Michael in League Two.  She is assistant manager at the Southern Swimming Pool in Castletown.  Apart from receiving the Hemensley Trophies both had successful seasons.  Avinash won both the men's and mixed doubles events in the Club Players Tournament while Carolyn was a member of the Kirk Michael ladies squad which was unbeaten in League Two - having performed the same feat in League Three the previous season.

* John Hemensley, who operated Hemensley's Pharmacy in Windsor Road, Douglas for many years, was a stalwart of the Fencibles Badminton Club holding positions as treasurer and chairman.  Son Ian followed in his footsteps in both regards.  He currently runs the same chemists' shop and is also a committee member of Fencibles.