Part of Badminton Europe’s Regional Projects, GB Para badminton, managed by Badminton England, run a series of training camps throughout the year under the banner of Home Nations Elite, the final stage of a Para badminton Pathway before elite players take the huge step onto a Team GB Performance level and striving for Paralympic medals, funded by United Kingdom Sport and Badminton Europe.

“It’s great to bring everyone into the professional environment and give players a taste of what’s expected at an elite level. I enjoyed working with players from other countries and watching them develop over the course of the international calendar – particularly how well the group performed at the world championships in Japan”, quotes Martin Drabble, coach from England.

Home Nations top players and coaches come together with GB Para badminton coaching staff to share knowledge and drive the standard of badminton forward and provide an attainable level for players on the various levels of home nations pathways to aspire to, as well as long term collaborations between the member associations. 

“I love having the chance to spar with other players in my class from all over the country and also the other categories as well. It’s great to train within the GB performance centre and I hope to make it there full time someday!”, Jack Wilson from Wales tells.

The UK Para badminton Working Technical Group meet regularly, with the Home Nations Elite as one of the main agenda points. Home Nations Coaches are in this group and after each camp return to their home nations with increased knowledge and wider understanding. 

Players come together regularly to train and improve, and ultimately take this training into international competition. “It’s important to have this opportunity to help develop players not just from England, but all of the home nations and use this group as a final vetting process before being included in the GB Performance Programme”, Richard Morris, Head Coach of the GB Para badminton summarises.