NDBA Development Strategy
- original dated June 2001

Introduction

The Berkshire County Badminton Association (BCBA) is supporting the development initiatives of the Badminton Association of England (BA of E) by convening a Development sub-Committee and appointing a County Development Officer. The Development Officer will work in each area of the county in co-ordination with the relevant District Association and with the local council and education authority.

The Newbury and District Badminton Association (NDBA) is committed to developing badminton in the West Berkshire area and through its associated clubs. It therefore welcomes the BA of E and BCBA initiative and will support it (including financially where it is able). In discussion with the Development Officer, the NDBA Executive Committee has formulated the following Development Strategy.

Strategy Period

This strategy looks forward approximately three years; whilst agreed actions are stated for the first year, aspirations only are outlined for the later part of the period. This allows immediate action to be seen in a longer-term context, but retains flexibility to alter course slightly depending on initial results. The strategy will be updated annually.

Junior Badminton

The greatest development effort and resource should go into junior badminton. The District has two junior clubs: the Newbury & District Junior Badminton Club plays on Monday evenings and has a membership of about 25 between the ages of 8 and 16; the Kennet Sports Centre, Thatcham organises a club on Saturday mornings for similar numbers and ages.

Both clubs are run by volunteers who are mainly players in local clubs or parents or both; most possess the basic Leaders Award.

School Demonstrations

The first effort should be to secure a steady (not overwhelming) stream of younger children to join these existing clubs. The best way of doing this would be to persuade primary schools to allow demonstrations and try-outs of badminton during PE lessons (other sports have used this approach successfully); information on the two clubs would be provided through the schools to the pupils. This requires two early actions:

• work out the approach to primary schools through the West Berkshire Education Authority - DO
  
• establish a team of local players with Leaders Awards who are willing to commit time during school hours (either persuade those with Awards to make time or sponsor those willing to make time through the Award) - NBDA (the people), Newbury College (Leaders Course), DO (sources of funding for Leaders Awards).

Neither of these (but especially the latter) is likely to able to be sorted out in time for the 2001/02 academic year and badminton season. It might be possible to arrange one or two pilot sessions perhaps through personal contacts with specific schools.

Badminton Day

In the meantime, an alternative approach would be to hold a Badminton Day to which any child of primary age could be invited (done successfully in Bracknell). The 3rd November 2001 at Park House School has been booked. This requires the following actions:

• seek sponsorship for a venue through W Berks Council / EA - DO (done)
  
• advertise through the primary schools (via W Berks EA) - DO
  
• find Coaches / Leaders to run the day - NDBA (with DO assistance)

Further Development

On the assumption that the above initiatives are successful in producing more junior players, the following needs to be considered in the longer term:

• open a third junior club at a different venue / time (ie. continue to encourage players to become Leaders) and / or
  
• open a Youth Section / Club to take the better / older players on from the existing Junior Clubs.

Senior Badminton

Whilst junior badminton is the obvious priority, the existing corps of senior players should not be ignored. There is plenty of scope for improving the standard of badminton at all levels from those who play socially in the affiliated clubs to regular first division players. The appointment and routine employment of Club Coaches (with at least Part I qualification) would be a good first step in this direction. Whilst this is essentially a club matter, the NDBA and DO can provide stimulus and encouragement as follows:

• recognise the coaches by publishing their names in the handbook - NDBA

• ask them to staff a NDBA-sponsored (ie. venue found and expenses underwritten) Coaching Day for all players in NDBA clubs - NDBA

• provide funding assistance for Part I Coach's course (linking with Newbury College) - DO

Noting a proposed Part I course planned for May 2002, all three steps will be worked on during the next 12 months.

Conclusion

It is believed that all the above represent practical steps within the capability and potential funding of NDBA, its clubs, the DO and the W Berks and Newbury College authorities. This strategy paper should be shared widely with these bodies.

NDBA Executive Committee
June 2001

Click here to view the original Development Strategy document issued by the Exec Committee in June 2001

Click here to view the 2002 Update

Click here to view the 2003 Update

Click here to view the 2004 Update

Click here to view the 2005 Update

If you don't see a menu to the left, you have entered this web site through a back door - please click here to view the full version of the NDBA web site.