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BADMINTON England invests in local disability sport development

Badminton is a successful sport in terms of disabled people's participation, with a strategy setting the framework for development and an established Para-Badminton circuit. There is a genuine commitment from all areas of the game to ensure that disability and inclusion is truly embedded. Here, the National Governing Body of sport- BADMINTON England- talks more about the opportunities being created. 

In line with this commitment to inclusion the BADMINTON England Inclusive Club Investment Programme has recently been revamped with an open round of funding bids which commenced in September. 

All bids must include a club with Clubmark status and Clubs and Community Badminton Networks (CBNs) have been asked to bid for funding for local projects to increase the recruitment and retention of new disabled participants. They have the option to work with participants from all impairment groups or with a selection and will be introduced to organisations that can assist further in contacting potential participants.

Applicants have been asked to develop an Inclusive environment within the club / CBN and promote and offer Para-Badminton and mainstream badminton opportunities for disabled participants, directing participants to the most appropriate session for them. In return for agreeing set targets successful clubs and CBNs will receive many benefits and areas of support from BADMINTON England, including access to training courses and resources, and access to the disability / inclusion section of the marketing portal created by BADMINTON England. Money is also available for any creative ideas which the applicants believe will bring more disabled people into the sport.

At the funding panel in November applications for funding were considered from a number of different geographical areas. Positive examples included a brand new project for people with mental health issues, possibly the first project that the governing body has funded in this way.

Funding bids have also included simple ideas such as a banner in a small town to make people more aware of an emerging disability badminton club. In addition, bids to purchase specific equipment have been requested as well as funding for new coaches and disability specific training for existing coaches.

The Panel were pleased to see that in many instances applicants had provided background information on the number of disabled people in their immediate area and had already made contact with local organisations to plan their projects. Local supporting organisations included local and national disability sports organisations, disability charities and county sports partnerships.

While many of the applicants have received funding through the Inclusive Club Investment programme before, this new round of funding is for new activity and to bring new participants to badminton. Bids from new applicants have also been received and some local support from BADMINTON England will be available to ensure these new projects are planned thoroughly to give them every chance of success.

Successful applicants will be encouraged to share ideas and issues with each other so that they can learn and develop and that ultimately more clubs and badminton providers can increase their confidence in disability and inclusion. It is also planned to bring together examples of good practice in clubs, so that we can build a good practice resource bank.

At an introductory level, badminton is without question a sport which is quick and easy to obtain a level of confidence that allows you to enjoy achievement at a very early stage. Other than a sports wheelchair for the wheelchair version of the game, nothing different from the non-disabled game is required.

A good example is their playing pathway for players of short stature, the court is the same, the net height the same, nothing changes. This means that disabled players can play alongside their non disabled players with no adaptations needed and importantly that disabled players who are reaching a competitive playing standard can play in local leagues without having to travel extensively.

For players with a learning disability starting the game there does not have to be a complicated scoring system or rules about who serves and where from, ground the shuttle on the other side and it’s your point. Players with limited mobility can also play with no adaptations; there is a playing circuit available for them too.

In Hertfordshire this year a team made up of players with and without disabilities competed in the local league. They have been warmly embraced and competitive badminton has been played in a friendly and inclusive spirit.   This is happening naturally in other counties too. 

Useful coaching resources from BADMINTON England include ‘Kicking Up a Racket’ which is available for free on the website. In addition, there are adaptations in each SmashUp! Game to simplify, which could be adapted for players with a learning disability.

A new one day Coaching Disability Badminton course is now available. Further information on the Para-Badminton Circuit is available through this link

Article acknowledgement

This article has been edited from one which featured in the Equality - Focus on Sport newsletter. The newsletter and website are a source of information and news on disability sport, and all equality issues impacting on sport.

The main website link is: www.equalityfocusonsport.org.uk

Issue 104 link is:
http://www.equalityfocusonsport.org.uk/images/docs/2012/Newsletter%20104.doc

For information on the Inclusive Clubs Investment Programme contact Project Manager Naminder Authi: naminderauthi@badmintonengland.co.uk