In 2025, Badminton Europe is set to launch an exciting new initiative: Team Europe. This innovative project is designed to nurture and develop the next generation of European badminton stars, helping them reach their full potential and become internationally competitive players. Team Europe offers an exceptional opportunity for young talents to grow, both as athletes and individuals, and to take their badminton careers to the next level.
Team Europe is more than just a training program; it's a holistic approach to developing future elite players. The project focuses on identifying and nurturing European youth talents, providing them with the necessary tools to thrive on and off the court. With a focus on developing independence, self-reflection, and self-driven determination, Team Europe aims to create well-rounded athletes who are ready to compete at the highest levels.
We know that daily training is crucial for the players' development, which is why we also focus on collaborating with their coaches and aim to be a strong sparring partner for them. This is achieved by inviting the coaches to the training camps and through consulting sessions with the players and their coaches.
At Badminton Europe, we are proud to present an elite program for young European top talents. Viktoria Tsvetanova, Chair of the Development Committee, states:
"We are truly pleased to launch the Team Europe project—Badminton Europe's flagship initiative to support and strengthen the next generation of European badminton. More than just a training camp, it is a platform for collaboration and education, bringing together players and coaches to advance both talent and coaching expertise. Beyond on-court training, a crucial part of the Team Europe projects is the educational component, equipping young athletes with the skills to build a sustainable badminton career—developing their personal brand, securing sponsorship, and managing their professional journey.
This project is a testament to the power of European cooperation—by working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we can build a stronger future for badminton in Europe."
Training camps & educational opportunities
One of the highlights of the Team Europe project is its high-performance training camps. These camps will bring together Europe's top young talents twice a year, providing them with the tools they need to elevate their game. In addition to intense on-court training, players will participate in classroom sessions designed to enhance their overall development. These sessions will cover topics such as career building in sports, personal branding, entrepreneurship, and performance optimization. Experts from various fields will provide insights into mental health and performance, nutrition, and media presence, ensuring that players are well-equipped to navigate the demands of a professional badminton career. Through these sessions, athletes will gain valuable knowledge and skills that will help them both on and off the court.
As mentioned in the above, the players' coaches will also be invited to these camps, creating an opportunity for them to discuss optimal talent development strategies and to network with other top coaches in the field. Between training camps, there will also be sparring between the coaches, players and Team Europe captains to create the best possible conditions for player development.
And player development is something that Senior development manager Jacob Oehlenschlæger at Badminton Europe, knows a lot about having worked with a lot of Europe's top players during their development. He says;
“Today is a great day for European badminton and for our European top talents. Team Europe is a high level add on to the daily training setup of talents. I can´t wait to see the players and their coaches this summer with a strong focus on networking and discussing optimal talent development with the player´s coaches and see all the players improving their badminton competencies on court and life-skills off court.”
The first training camps are already scheduled for 2025 in Thailand and Denmark. They will offer incredible opportunities for the selected players.
U21 Group: In Thailand, the U21 group will train with the Thai national team for 14 days, from 27th July to 10th August 2025, in Bangkok.
U15-U17 & U19 Groups: The younger groups will meet in Vejen, Denmark, from 4th to 13th July 2025, for a collaborative training session.
Every other year, the U21 group travels to Asia to spare with top Asian players.
Players can be selected for Team Europe through two main pathways
Being a finalists at the latest European Championships in U15, U17, or U19.
By development potential based on their talent and commitment.
Being part of Team Europe is more than just a training program; it's about being part of a network of dedicated athletes and coaches all working towards the same goal. It’s about developing the skills, mindset, and connections needed to become a top player on the world stage. If you're passionate about badminton and ready to take your career to the next level, Team Europe is the place to be.