Badminton Europe’s player announcements for the Centre of Excellence (COE) are increasing as the opening date is moving closer and closer. Today, we are happy to present Sander De Decker from Belgium as the 7th player to join the squad in Holbaek, Denmark.
De Decker, 19, is currently a part time high school student and plays in Taastrup Elite Badminton (TEB), led by former world champion Thomas Laybourn. He has also participated at Orø International Badminton Camp since he was 16 years old, so staying in Denmark will not be estranged for him.
“I am very excited to join the centre, as the concept is to maximize every player’s potential. I believe that the center will make me a better player and a more mature sportsman.”
Like many of the announced COE players, De Decker is also coming to Holbaek in the search of the right training environment:
“I heard that the centre could be an alternative for talented players who cannot benefit from a full-time training environment in their own country. In Belgium, only a very small group of players can benefit from this accommodation, so, as I am already training in Holbaek, I immediately applied for the Selection Camp.”
His father introduced him to badminton when he was very young. And from the very first time he played, he knew that this is what he wanted to do. Like many other badminton athletes, he dreams about reaching the Olympics as he thinks it is the highest achievement an athlete can experience.
De Decker believes that coming to the COE can help him achieve that goal:
“The overall organisation of the centre offers everything an athlete can wish for. It has several very qualified coaches and sparring partners will be on the highest level possible. Next to this, Jeroen [van Dijk, COE Head Coach] can share so much of his experience as he was a former top player. The BEC also opens doors to the best badminton clubs in Denmark.”
“I am very grateful for this opportunity and believe that together with the center I am sure I can achieve all my goals.”
Sander De Decker will join the rest of the squad in Holbaek when the Centre of Excellence opens on 1 September 2017.
Go to Badminton Europe’s
website to learn more about the COE-project and read all the previous announcements by clicking
here.
E. Lollike, Badminton Europe