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Why did Jordan Hart change her flag?
Date: 4/11/2021 2:39 PM
Published by : Alan Raftery
Welsh star Jordan Hart will from now on fly the Polish flag at badminton tournaments. Read to find out how this big change came about.

Currently ranked 62 in the world, Hart has a unique journey as an elite badminton player. Recently moving to Poland in pursuit of a better training set up, Hart is beginning a new chapter in her career. Although many factors come into play with the decision, her coach Steve Butler becoming the new Head Coach of the Polish national team was a key one. 

Jordan Hart has a VLOG series documenting this move every step of the way and gives an open and honest insight for fans to see how it is to be a professional player day to day. In a video dedicated to answering the plethora of fan questions on this topic, Hart explains how in order to represent another country she foregoes her chance to represent Wales at the European Championships, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Hart has subsequently withdrawn from the 2021 European Championships taking place in a little over two weeks. 

-It is one of the sacrifices I had to make to change my flag. Being extremely patriotic and loving being from Wales, and specifically from Pembrokeshire in Little Wales, this was a huge decision for me. The main thing is that I am really comfortable with the decision that I have made. 

Poles apart – the positives and negatives
In Poland, Hart is enjoying having access to a larger volume of training hours, a physio, doctors and an on-site gym and swimming pool. These are all at Hart’s disposal for the first time in her career. In addition, the focus on the development of players was the most attractive element. 

-This is the forefront of everything that happens here in Poland. Having not been part of a national system before in this way, of course, there are negatives but there are a lot of positives. This environment is aimed at helping and supporting players to be the best that they can be. For me, all I want to do is be the best that I can be, so it is a no brainer. 

-How I am as a person, how I am feeling off the court also reflects on the court. I know that this environment will help me with the quality, variety and also support I receive every day, Hart adds. 

Hart, 26, also states that she is coming to the back end of her career and wants to make the most out of it, and being somewhere where she feels she can thrive in, as well as the continuity with her coach who has helped her gain the success is really important. 

Hart’s dream
Upon discussing not being able to play in major events, a dream for many badminton players, she shared her dream of being back home close to her family. A tearful Hart took a few attempts to continue and explained that more specifically she would love to be living next door to her mum and dad.
 
Hart trained in England for many years under Steve Butler, doing much of her preparation in Coventry or Loughborough. This meant that she was always within driving distance to her home and family. Being in Poland now, and under tough COVID-19 travel restrictions, Hart touches on how tough this has been. 

-That’s one of the main things. I can’t go home and they [parents] are not able to come and see me, the world just doesn’t allow it. I have made friends here and everyone has been so welcoming. But at the end of the day, I am still a little Welsh girl in Poland. 

With fans sending in questions following the news, Hart was asked what she misses the most about Wales. Very aptly Hart commented, “this is such a lush question”. The word ‘lush’ is a Welsh colloquialism meaning very nice, abbreviated from ‘luscious’. 

-I think Wales is such a close-knit country. I do miss the comfort and the homely feeling. And the beach - I live around five minutes away from being able to have a walk on the beach. 

First tournament under the Polish flag
Luckily for Hart, the change to represent Poland does not affect world ranking. She is already looking towards the India Open next month, with the entry submitted by Poland, as being the first tournament she plays under the new colours. Hart’s thoughts for the next few months are more of a transition period but still aims to keep moving up. 

-My main goal is to really settle into my new environment and get to grips with it. It is a huge change for me. At the end of the day, we are here to improve my world ranking. Within the next year, I would like to be stable within the top 50 in the world. 

Lastly, Hart shares the individual areas she is seeking to really work on moving forward. 

-I need to be a better thinker when things aren’t going well and be more tactically aware and change things by myself. The main aim is to be consistently a threat in tournaments. I want people to see my name and think okay I am in for a tough match here!
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