The issue of gender equality has become a prominent issue for discussion in recent times and there has been a concerted effort across many sports to ensure that men and women are given equal opportunities in sport. Within Badminton we are lucky that men and women compete in an equal number of events and alongside each other in mixed doubles. However, it remains true that there are differences between coaching men and women and that in Europe we face a situation where a large number of talented female athletes are lost after junior level.

The speakers of the Conference in Vejen will present their ideas on tackling these issues and will hopefully provide you with food for thought on how within European Badminton we can help positively improve the position of Women in Badminton.

This coaching conference is an exciting opportunity to learn from methods of best practice both out with our sport and within our sport. Following the conclusion of the conference we are hosting a luncheon to which all attendees are invited. The Women in Badminton working group would be delighted to see you all there to continue discussions and to share further ideas on the points raised by the speakers.

THE SCHEDULE: (Updated 10 July)

10:00 - 11:00

Keynote Speaker: Steve Gunn

Steve Gunn is the head of Great Britain’s Rowing Team Start Programme. Steve has coached numerous Olympic Gold Medallists and currently leads a team of talent development coaches whose aim is to identify and develop rowers to win Olympic medals.

Steve’s presentation will focus on the differences between coaching male and female athletes. Rowing’s Team Start Programme has a proven success of identifying young talent suitable for their sport and developing that talent into Olympic Medal success. This is an opportunity for Badminton to learn from another individual sport and a European nation how they have successfully nurtured young female athletes to Olympic success. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask Steve any questions that you may have.

Coffee/Tea break. 11.00-11.10

11:10 – 11:30

Thomas Engholm: Co developer of ‘BestOnCourt’ with Peter Gade

Thomas is a professional Badminton Coach from Denmark who has worked at regional and national level. He is currently the coach at Højbjerg Badminton Club and has special expertise in footwork and mental training.

Thomas’s presentation will showcase the online training portal BestOnCourt and the accompanying tool Virtual Badminton Coach. Thomas and Peter have devised the Virtual Badminton Coach with the aim that the modern interactive approach will make coaching easier and more accessible for coaches and the players. Thomas will use his presentation to show how the tool can be used to overcome the mental and technical challenges that can prevent young female players achieving success at elite level. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask Thomas any questions you may have.

11:45 – 12:45

Judith Meulendijks: Olympian and former Dutch Internationalist

Judith is a former member of the Dutch National Team, a three time National Singles Champion and represented Holland at the Olympics in 2000. She achieved a career high of number 10 in the world for ladies singles. Since retiring in 2012 Judith’s passion for the sport has continued and she remains very active within the world of badminton. She has completed her coaching levels two and three and was part of the BWF Level 1 Tutors Course in Hungary this year. She is in touch with the current European players through her work at the German Open and the Indian Badminton League launching later this year.

Judith’s presentation will focus on the skills and attributes needed to become a world-class ladies singles player. For many years Europe has struggled to cope with the Asian players dominance in ladies singles and few Europeans have managed to break through their stronghold. During 2006 Judith was instrumental in helping the Netherlands reach the final of the Uber Cup against China beating many top Asian females along the way. As such, Judith’s demonstration is an opportunity for players and coaches alike to learn from her experience and gain an insight into the requisite qualities for success on the world stage. Following the demonstration there will be an opportunity to ask Judith any questions you may have.

Networking luncheon: 13.00- 14.00

Photo by BadmintonPhoto.