Published: Thursday, 9th October, 2008 5:30am

Golden coach Black is a shining example

COUNTY badminton coach Christine Black struck gold at the European Senior Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain last weekend.

Black and Dutch partner Marjan Ridder won the 50-plus women"s doubles title in championships that are held every two years.

The 54-year-old, who made 56 international appearances for Scotland between 1977 and 1990, was top seed with Ridder.

In the final they beat England"s Jenny Cox and Christine Crossley 21-15, 16-21, 21-16. Black, who was reigning champion, had partnered Crossley to the title in 2006.

Black and mixed doubles partner Dan Travers lost to Ridder and her husband Rob in the semi-final by 21-17 and 21-16.

She had also been in with a chance of reaching a second final, until second seed Crossley beat her in the semi-finals of the singles 21-18, 21-10.

Black"s career bests were bronze medals in the European Junior, European Senior and Commonwealth Games.

She said: 'I was quite pleased to win, as I don"t get to play as much as I would like.

'Most of my time in the sport is spent coaching.'

Black, who is development officer for badminton at East Lothian Council, is the current World Masters singles and doubles champion.

She was unsure whether any of the players she coaches would be inspired by her success.

'If they are, then that would be great,' she said.

Four of Black"s proteges tasted success last weekend at the Bank of Scotland National Junior Badminton Championships, held at Edinburgh"s Meadowbank.

Longniddry pair Paul van Rietvelde and Craig Pollock reached the final of the under-19 boys" doubles.

However, they were beaten by Martin Campbell (Edinburgh) and Angus Gilmour (Troon) 21-14, 21-16.

All four players travel to India today (Friday) to compete in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune.

Van Rietvelde will play in the singles and doubles and Pollock in the singles

'This will be great experience for Craig and Paul,' Black pointed out.

'There are some strong countries taking part, such as Malaysia and India.

'Hopefully, as well as doing well in this, it will prepare them for the Commonwealth Games proper in Delhi in 2010.'

In last weekend"s Scottish championships, van Rietvelde was able to turn the tables on Campbell in the mixed doubles. He and his partner Gillian Sloan (Whitecraigs) beat the Edinburgh player and Catriona Lawlor (Cumbernauld) in the final 21-18, 13-21, 21-15.

In the under-15 age group, another county duo Hannah Laing and Megan Richardson, of Haddington, beat Rebekka Findlay (Erskine) and Heather Campbell (Glasgow) in the final of the girls" doubles 21-18, 18-21, 21-17.

Richardson also reached the semi-finals of the girls" singles.