Uber Cup

 THE LADIES' INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

The Uber Cup is a beautiful piece of silver of unusual design. Surmounted over a swiveling globe stands a lady player on a shuttle. The trophy is 18 inches in height.  Engraved around the base of the trophy are the words: "The Ladies' International Badminton Championship Challenge Trophy presented to the International Badminton Federation by Mrs. H. S. Uber, 1956."

The institution of an international team competition for ladies was initiated early in 1950 when the I.B.F. received such a suggestion, together with the offer of a trophy from Mrs. H. S. Uber. However, the initial idea for a women's competition ran into financial problems. In 1953 the institution of championship was agreed upon in principle. Mrs. Uber's kind offer was gratefully accepted, regulations drawn up and approved, and it was agreed that the inaugural triennial contest should take place over 1956-57. Eleven nations competed for the first Uber Cup. The basis of competition is very much along the lines of the men's Thomas Cup competition.

Mrs. Uber made the official presentation of this beautiful trophy at the annual general meeting of the Federation of 1956, and she herself made the draw for the inaugural contest.

INFORMATION COMPILED FROM I.B.F HANDBOOK

UNITED STATES EARLY DOMINANCE IN UBER CUP COMPETITION

During the 1950's the best women badminton players in the world were from the United States. Margaret Varner and Judy Devlin dominated the All-England singles titles and each also won All-England doubles titles. Both players were on the first U.S.A. Uber Cup team, which defeated India 7-0, Canada 7-0, and Denmark 6-1 in l956. Other world championship team members were Ethel Marshall, Bea Massman, Lois Alston, and Judy and Sue Devlin. Connie Davidson coached this world championship team. During this first Uber Cup competition, eleven nations competed for the Cup.

Margaret Varner, Judy and Sue Devlin, and Lois Alston returned to play on the 1959-60 team, but two new faces were seen. Dorothy O'Neil from Connecticut, a surprise finalist in the 1958 singles championship, and Beulah Bymaster, a strong competitor from Glendale, California, participated in the 1960 competition. The U.S. Uber Cup Team again proved to be too strong, defeating Denmark 5-2 in Philadelphia. During the 1959-60 Uber Cup competition, the nations entered in the competition grew to fourteen.

The United States continued its dominance in Uber Cup competition by returning to the victory stand in 1962-63 defeating England, 4-3.

Dorothy O'Neil and McGregor Stewart were selected to play the singles and Tyna Barinaga-Caroline Jensen, Judy Devlin Hashman-Carlene Starkey were paired together to play the doubles for the team.

INFORMATION COMPILED FROM DIANE HALES ARTICLE "HISTORY OF BADMINTON" AND I.B.F. HANDBOOK