Over the weekend fifteen candidates descended on the Sir Craig Reedie BADMINTONscotland Centre to take part in Shuttle Time Tutor Training in preparation for the introduction of the course in Scotland.
 
Shuttle Time is a schools programme, introduced by BWF in 2012 with the aim of making badminton one of the world’s most popular and accessible sports and providing children across the world with an opportunity to lead and healthy and active lifestyle. The initiative aims to do this by offering school teachers free resources, training and equipment to support the delivery of safe, inclusive and enjoyable badminton. It has currently been implemented in 86 countries and is available in 15 languages.
 
The fifteen tutors – ten of whom came from all over Scotland and five who travelled from Wales, France, Portugal and Slovakia – received tutor training from BWF Development Manager and former BADMINTONscotland employee John Shearer on Saturday and Sunday. The training allows the candidates to provide coach education to schoolteachers across Scotland and also means selected individuals are now qualified Shuttle Time trainers and are able to train further Shuttle Time Tutors in Scotland should the requirement for more arise.
 
BADMINTONscotland has decided to implement the Shuttle Time programme in Scotland to add to the already successful Curriculum for Excellence teaching training that is provided. Shuttle Time will be available to Primary schools which have already purchased Curriculum for Excellence packs and wish to continue both the development of the Teachers within their school and also the pupils participating in the sessions.
 
Additionally, as Shuttle Time caters for children up to the age of 18 the resource will also be available to Secondary schools who have received National 4 and 5 CPD training.
 
BADMINTONscotland is hoping that this work, in partnership with the BWF and Badminton Europe, will be the first of many projects implemented to increase participation and excitement in schools badminton in the lead up to the 2017 World Championships which are being held in Glasgow from August 21-27.

Article and photo by Peter Dean.