These last 12 months marked another year in the history of the local Badminton Association, a year full of competitive activities for its members.

It was a year characterised by the protagonists of the individual and team competitions. It was also a year which saw Maltese Badminton venturing once again on the international stage.

The following were the main events of 2002.

In January, Stefan Salomone and Rachel Attard were selected as local badminton's male and female Players of the Year. Joe Seychell, the association's former president, who had retired earlier in the season, was chosen as the Official of the Year in recognition of the valuable work carried out during the several years of his presidency.

The third Friendship Trophy, an international club team tournament was played in April. Four foreign squads took part, together with two Maltese teams. The event was won by the 'Welsh Dragons', followed by 'Gotland' (Sweden). The 'Malta Rackets' placed third.

April also saw the 31st edition of the National Championships. Kenneth Vella added the 12th singles title to his curriculum. Aldo Polidano placed second. Vella then went on to partner Catherine Dimech to take also the Mixed Doubles title.

Jacqueline De Giovanni won the first singles title of her career; JoAnne Cassar was runner-up.

David Cole and Edmund Abela took the doubles title while Catherine Dimech and JoAnne Cassar won the equivalent ladies' title.

In May, Paola Wolves Schtag retained the Men's League title they had won the previous year. They defeated Birkirkara Polidano Press in two of the three matches in the 'mini-league' held for the title between the two best-placed teams in this competition.

The following month, Birkirkara turned the tables on their opponents by winning the Mixed League. They similarly defeated the Wolves in two of the three play-offs held for the title. This was the first team title in the club's history.

The month of June also saw the end of the Ladies Individual League.

Jennifer Borg clinched the first division title; she was followed by Rachel Attard. Miriam Bezzina topped the second division; Mireille Falzon placed second.

In October, the Badminton Association organised the third edition of the Malta International Youth Tournament. This year, the event was not played on a team basis but took the format of separate individual Singles and Doubles competition.

A number of Scottish players from Ayrshire, led by coaches May and Billy Fulton, took part together with the local players coached by Norman Spiteri and Martin Farrugia.

Jack Ramsay landed the Singles title, followed by Douglas Walker. Lynne MacMillan won the corresponding ladies title; Fiorella Farrugia took second place.

Christopher Spiteri and Douglas Walker took the Men's Doubles title; they were followed by Albert Bezzina and Jamie Benson.

Daniela Magri successfully partnered Lynne MacMillan to take the equivalent ladies' event; Joanne Vella and Maria Borg placed second.