Seven keynote speakers, including former players Xu Huaiwen and Pi Hongyan and top coach Kenneth Larsen, were unveiled today for the Conference in August at Glasgow’s National Badminton Academy.

 

And there is the prospect of more star names to come as the countdown to the World Championships gains pace with less than 20 weeks to go before the Emirates Arena stages the big event from 21-27 August.

 

Scotland’s former international Stewart Kerr will also be among the speakers while leading BWF figures will present on the current and future developments in the sport.

 

Bookings are now being accepted, with an early bird discount of £157 for anyone who books before 30 April. From 1 May the fee will be £175.

 

The seven speakers booked so far for the Conference on Friday and Saturday, 25-26 August, are:

• Former Denmark National coach Kenneth Larsen, who is a professor in sport science at Aalborg University, will speak on Developing Anticipation and Deception.
• Two former stars of the European and World circuit will also take part. Two-time World bronze and double European gold medallist Xu Huaiwen and World bronze and European silver medallist Pi Hongyan will share their expert knowledge of women’s singles.
• Former Scotland international Stewart Kerr, who is an expert in rehabilitation after injury and his theme at the conference will be shoulder injuries among badminton players.
• John Neal, an exercise physiologist and a performance psychologist, will use his knowledge as a performance coach to explore Coaching character for a winning performance.
• Mark King, a Senior Lecturer and Reader in Biomechanics at Loughborough University, is an international expert in the area of bowling actions for the International Cricket Council and has worked with the England and Wales Cricket Board over the last 10 years. His presentation will focus on speed and accuracy in the badminton jump smash.
• Julian North, a Senior Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University, has a client list which includes the BWF, UEFA and the English FA in football, and the England and Wales Cricket Board. His specialties are player development, coaching practice and effectiveness, coach development and education, and policy and systems.  He will examine effective player development systems in four world leading badminton nations – Korea, Indonesia, Denmark and Spain.

 

Loughborough and Leeds Beckett will make presentations on Sports Science Research which has been funded through BWF’s Sports Science Research Grant.

 

Craig Robertson, BADMINTONscotland’s Chair of Coaching & Development, said: “The World Coaching Conference is a vital part of our World Championships programme and I am delighted that we have attracted a group of speakers who can explore a wide range of topics that are so relevant today.

 

“We want our Conference to be the best yet and I am sure that domestic and international coaches who are able to attend the Conference will find it all very stimulating. This will be part of our World Championship legacy because without top-quality coaches there won’t be a pathway for young players to make the transition to the highest level and to maintain their position once they achieve that goal.”

 

David Cabello, BWF Chair of Development and Sport For All, said: “The World Coaches Conference in Glasgow will be the biggest we have organised to date. 

 

“We have a team of world-class presenters from within badminton circles and beyond, who will pass on their expertise and experiences to those attending the conference. 

 

“The conference will also offer an excellent opportunity to network with coaches from other countries, and of course to watch the world’s best competing in the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017.” 

 

The World Coaching Conference will be held at Scotstoun’s National Badminton Academy on Friday 25 August from 4pm to 8pm and Saturday 26 August from 9am to 4.30pm.

 

The standard delegate fee is £175 but anyone booking before 30 April will receive a discounted rate of £157.

 

For more details and to book your place, click here.

 

 

The TOTAL BWF Badminton World Championships 2017 will be staged at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena from 21-27 August.

 

It is being delivered in partnership with Glasgow Life, EventScotland and UK Sport.

 

For more details and tickets for the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017 go to www.glasgow2017.com