As a 16-17 year old, I moved up to Kolding’s senior training. 1981-82.
In 1984 I made my debut on the club’s Denmark series team. In the second mixed doubles with Gitte Nierhoff. The team leader was Johanne Nierhoff. Jens-Peter had long since evaporated to….Triton in North Jutland, I mean. Big brother Nierhoff had moved to Copenhagen. Father Nierhoff was headmaster of the merchant school, which was located 100 m from the old badminton hall, from which the photo originates. Nierhoff lived 1 km from the hall.
It was apprenticeship. Gitte was patient. I wasn’t a mix player at all.
In 1985, Gitte and my eldest sister Pia left the club. Pia joined Viby’s divisional team. I met many of the Viby players of the time last week at the padel center in Højbjerg for games and Christmas lunch.
A few years later, sister Helle became my mix partner after at least one season with Connie Lind.
In 1988 I came over as a single. I stayed there for many years. Now it’s mixed doubles again. 35-40 years later. After Viby, Smash, Næstved, Vordingborg, Værløse and again Vordingborg….and several years in Red Star Mulhouse in the late 90s and 00s, often also in mixed doubles.
In the photo there are many legendary players.
On the far left, coach Ole Østergaard.
Then Pia Juhl/Kruse, Peter Stæhr, Gitte Nierhoff, Ole Henrik Jensen, Grethe Johannesen, Frands Holländer, Lone Herløv, Finn Pedersen, Hanne Wind, Jørgen Kuhrt, Bettina Pedersen, Per Juhl, Helle Juhl, Kenneth Jacobsen, Johanne Nierhoff.
7 players in the photo went to Brændkjærskolen, which today has “sports classes”.
In badminton, “we” are often several from the same family. That pattern is seen everywhere.
In Kolding, in my time, it was Nierhoff, Lind, Juhl, Hollander, Schulz, Kuhrt.
♥️🙏🏻🎄….&….🔝🥂🚀
BB • PDJ
