Development

(Photo: Badminton England)
England embark on project to develop and inspire new wave in Para badminton
Date: 8/10/2021 9:52 AM
Published by : Alan Raftery
Badminton England has kickstarted a Badminton Europe Regional Project that aims to enhance the development of GB Para badminton players and coaches, close the gap between the top and development players, and inspire the young generation. 

The focus of the Regional Project programme is to encourage Member Associations to collaborate and form a development initiative to enhance the level of badminton in their region.

England will work with two other BEC Members, Scotland and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, the four countries within ‘Team GB’. In just 22 days, Para badminton will make its participation debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, an exciting catalyst for this project to flourish. 

How? 
The 12-month project made up of six weekend training camps at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield aims to provide opportunities for competing Para badminton players to access expert knowledge of GB Para Coaches for training ideas and knowledge. 

These experts really know what it takes to be the best. Team GB will have four representatives at the Paralympics. Martin Rooke in WH2, Dan Bethell in SL3, Jack Shephard and Krysten Coombs, both in SS6. 

There are also opportunities for Home Nation Coaches to gain insight and knowledge from GB Para Coaching Team to support the development of daily training. There is also potential scope for the GB Squad support team to provide players with off-court workshops and training. 

Activities
The core group of players will be invited based on BWF World Ranking with additional players identified by the GB Coaching Team. They will be kept busy and engaged with many planned activities: 

• On-court coaching sessions
• Fitness testing/screening
• Invitations to players’ individual coaches to attend camps to provide an opportunity to chat with GB Coaches, share knowledge/ideas and support camp on-court sessions
• Sports Science Sports Medicine / Classification workshops
Already underway in the English heat

The first weekend camp took place on 17-18 July and looked at Technical Testing, breaking down racket skills and abilities, and practising the implementation of techniques. The camp catered for three tiers of players and all ages across the six Para badminton categories.

Despite the 30 degrees heat all weekend creating hot conditions in the hall, Head Coach for the camp, James Farmer, was pleased about how everything went and was thankful for the opportunity. 

-The BEC Regional Project has helped make the GB Training Group possible, with funding and shuttle provision. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Badminton Europe for the support which helps make this initiative a success.

The next weekend camps are planned for 18-19 September and 6-7 November in 2021. Next year additional camps are planned for 22-23 January and 26-27 March. 

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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