Manchester schools are supporting efforts to make badminton the most inclusive and accessible sport in England.
Badminton England launched their new strategy to get more youngsters playing the sport at St Francis Primary School and HideOut Youth Zone in Manchester.
Badminton: A Sport for Everyone sets out a blueprint for the growth of the sport at all levels over the next decade, but with a focus on youth and inclusion. It includes a commitment to a new primary age programme delivered through a network of junior clubs and connecting to schools and leisure centres across the country, and a plan to open up more community and non-traditional places and venues for people to play.
Badminton England CEO, Sue Storey, said: “This strategy sets out an ambitious, exciting and wide-ranging long-term plan to secure the best possible future for badminton in England.
“To do this we must have a focus on getting more young people, especially those of primary age, playing and enjoying our sport as so many children have been today here in Manchester. We also want to open up badminton so that more people from a wider range of backgrounds can enjoy its physical and social benefits.
“A more diverse and inclusive sport supports the growth and success of English badminton at all levels and we want more people to join the one million who already play regularly so we can truly make badminton a sport for everyone.”
Former player, Nathan Robertson, who alongside winning silver at the 2004 Olympics, also won 10 Commonwealth Games medals during a glittering career, added: “It was great to be in Manchester this morning and get the chance to play on court with the children, many of whom were picking up a badminton racket for the first time.
“Young people are vital to the future of our sport and we need to give more of them the opportunity to try badminton and hopefully develop a lifelong love for it. It’s heartening to know that this will be a focus for our sport over the next ten years.”
Over one million people in England already play badminton every month but against a recent backdrop of closures to facilities, reduced opening hours and pressures on existing court space, the strategy is targeting a range of new spaces including village halls, faith centres and community facilities to increase opportunities for people from a wider range of backgrounds to play the sport.
Around 200 schools and community venues across the country have been earmarked for more people to play.
To find out more about Big Hit Week and a badminton session near you. visit https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/bighit/.
