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She may have called time on herillustrious badminton career, but double Commonwealth silver medallist HeatherOlver insists she is enjoying every second of playing in the AJ Bell NationalBadminton League this season.

Olver, who represented Team GB at theRio 2016 Olympic Games this summer, announced her retirement from the sport inOctober, but vowed to carry on playing for the Birmingham Lions for theremainder of the AJ Bell NBL campaign.

The 30-year-old shuttler has played forthe Lions since the league's establishment two years ago, and helped them to titleat the end of last season.

And despite having a European teamsilver medal, as well as two Commonwealth Games podium finishes from Glasgow2014 and a bronze from Delhi 2010, Olver is a big advocate of the AJ Bell NBL's non traditional match-play format.

“The NBL is just so different, and it'sa bit more fun rather than going to a tournament and trying to get points,” shesaid.

“With the NBL you can just play andenjoy it. We don't get many chances to play in team events, we normally have togo to Germany or Spain so it's quite nice to play as a team in England.

“The Lions are doing well at the momentand we've got two new additions who are really good.

“I really enjoyed myself at the lastfixture, even though I'd been retired for a day. It is good that I can stillplay at quite a high level and with the Danes coming over, it's quite good tobe able to get the competitiveness.”

Retirement proved to be a difficult decisionfor Olver, as she questioned how long she could continue at the top of thegame.

Birmingham Lions | She'll continue in the NBL but has confirmed her international retirement: https://t.co/PPZOWN7Yrx pic.twitter.com/toS7DEBGFM

But her mind was made up upon returningto British shores following the Olympic Games, admitting she knew deep down itwas the best time to bow out.

“I don't think there was a definitetime when I thought I want to stop here,” she said. “It did come around quitequickly. In sport there are highs and lows and sometimes you do questionwhether you're good enough.

“Going to Rio was a dream come true andI'm just so pleased Lauren and I managed to secure our spot there.

“But coming back it was quite tough forme. Mentally it was such a busy year trying to qualify, after I felt mentallyand physically drained.

“Trying to get the motivation anddirection of where I wanted to go was quite difficult. When I came back I knewin my heart that I couldn't carry on.”

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