Suzanne Rayappan

I was born in Hitchin in 1981 and we lived in Pin Green until I was 7 years old and then we moved to the Old Town. I went to the Giles School and then to the Thomas Alleyne School. I started to play badminton with my Mum and Dad when I was 9 years old and it was their encouragement and support that really got me hooked as I progressed. In 2000 the Stevenage Sports Council awarded me a grant which helped with some of the costs of playing to a high standard and later I moved to Milton Keynes to play at the National Badminton Centre.

I managed to win national titles at every age group from 14 up to 19 years old and in 2001 I was selected to play for England against China then the world number one country. My specialty is mixed doubles and world ranking is currently 11th and national ranking is 3rd. I also play women's doubles and the target is of course to gain selection to the Olympic Team.