Badminton: Record-breaking Nicola Parry honoured with award

Nicola Parry is presented with the award by YBA chairman Gordon Milne.

The 46-year-old was presented with an award to mark her achievement in winning the most caps at senior level in Yorkshire Badminton’s history.

She was also a joint winner of the Jimmy Cox Salver – based on playing records for the season and the ‘players’ sporting endeavours’.

The current second-team captain, Nicola made her debut for the county back in 1987 and passed the 250 cap mark in March against Staffordshire.

“It is the highest number of appearances at county level for any one county,” said husband Steve – a former World Masters mixed doubles and European Masters men’s doubles champion who stands third on the all-time list with 150 caps.

Steve, who has now retired from senior county badminton but still plays regularly for the Yorkshire Masters, said: “Nicola has 251 caps now and if she keeps fit she could add another seven to her total next season.”

A teacher at Saltersgate Junior School in Doncaster, Nicola also helped the Yorkshire Vets (over-40s team) win both the Inter-County Challenge Tournament in January 2018 at The University of Worcester and the Inter-County League finals in April 2018 at Hatfield in Hertfordshire.

She also led the Doncaster Town 1st team to a sixth successive Yorkshire Inter-Club League Division One title.

Nicola also played for both the women’s and combined Brunswick first teams who continued their domination of the Sheffield Feathers League Division One competitions last season.