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The further expansion of the game-changing AJ BellNational Badminton League (NBL) continues with the addition of a new franchiseteam for the 2016/17 season, the Suffolk Saxons.

The Saxons will join the Bristol Jets as the twonew teams who will compete with the existing franchises from around thecountry.

The team, managed by Abbeycroft Leisure, issupported by a number of organisations including Suffolk County Council,Suffolk Sport, IpswichBorough Council and Suffolk BadmintonAssociation.

Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of BadmintonEngland, the National Governing Body behind the AJ Bell NBL, said: “We aredelighted that the expansion of the AJ Bell NBL continues and welcome SuffolkSaxons to the UK's first ever professional national badminton league.

“The growth of the AJ Bell NBL is a key part of ourlong term plan but specifically into parts of the country where we know thedemand for badminton is high. The East of England is an area where our sport ishugely popular and we very much look forward to the Saxons playing a pivotalrole in our ambitions to continue to increase the number of people playingbadminton as well as those who love to follow the sport.

“The Suffolk Saxon's passion and enthusiasm isconsistent with all those currently involved in this fantastic league and weare confident that next season the AJ Bell NBL will be better than ever as itcontinues to grow and attract new fans from all over the country and beyond.”

The AJ Bell NBL was launched in 2014 and features amodified version of the game with unique rules including shortened scoring,tie-breaks and double-point 'PowerPlays'.

In its first season matches were watched by over700,000 people across the UK on Sky Sports, with thousands more watching onEurosport in Asia and the Pacific region, and online.

Open Arms 

Warren Smyth from Abbeycroft Leisure said: “This isa fantastic opportunity for the people of Suffolk to see some of the best badmintonPlayers in the world and is the result of the hard work of a number ofpartners.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the team inaction next season and I am sure that Suffolk will welcome them with open armsand create an exciting atmosphere at each of theirmatches.

“This is an exciting time for Sport in Suffolk andthe addition of the Suffolk Saxons will help inspire others to take up thesport and get active.”

Cllr Tony Goldson, Suffolk County Council's CabinetMember for Health said: “In the lasttwo weeks it has been announced that the world's best female cyclists will becoming back to the county for the 3rd year running for the Women's Tour,Olympic medallist Keri-Anne Payne has launched the 2016 Great East Swim and nowSuffolk is to be part of the first ever professional national badminton leaguein the UK.

“Together they cement Suffolk's growing reputation as alocation of choice for major sporting events. This in turn brings economicbenefits to the county, as it is showcased on the national and internationalstage, as well as providing a wonderful opportunity to engage more people insport and physical activity and support our ambition of becoming the mostactive county in England.

“Badminton, particularly, is a sport that anybody can play,whatever their level, and I'm really pleased that a badminton developmentprogramme aimed at getting more people playing the sport will be wrapped aroundthe Suffolk Saxons team.”

An official launch of the Suffolk Saxons will takeplace in mid-March when more information including home venues, coach and earlysponsors will be revealed.

The final AJ Bell NBL match-night of 2015/16 takesplace on 21 March live on Sky Sports, with the play-offs and final to takeplace on 8 May at Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena.

For tickets  click here .