NDBA Development Strategy
- 2003 Update

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 (DO). 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 has been running for two years and looks forward approximately three years; whilst agreed actions are stated for the coming 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. This is the second update (dated July 2003).

Junior Badminton

Junior Clubs
The greatest development effort and resource should go into junior badminton. The District has two junior clubs: the Newbury & District Junior Badminton Club (NDJBC) and a club run out of the Kennet Sports Centre. Both clubs are run by volunteers who are mainly players in local clubs or parents or both; most possess the basic Leaders Award. Both clubs have had full memberships over the last season and have achieved good standards and successes for individual youngsters.

As suggested in last year's strategy, the aim for next season is to expand the opportunities for junior badminton given the membership and some successful events (see below). At the time of writing, it is not clear whether this will be a separate club or a developed senior section of the existing NDJBC, but plans are in hand for it to commence in late September 2003.
The junior clubs will look particularly to those local players who have coaching qualifications (especially obtained through NDBA grant award) to help lead and develop their work (see below). It has been agreed that the junior clubs will, if appropriate, refund BA of E Coaches Register subscriptions.

Junior Recruitment
A continuing effort should be made to secure a steady (not overwhelming) stream of younger children to join these existing clubs. Several ways to do this are possible:

Badminton Days
Because of the demand, two successful Badminton Days were held in last season. It is agreed that a further Day should be held in Autumn 2003. As before, this will be organised in conjunction with the Development Officer and the West Berkshire Education Authority

Badminton Into Schools Initiative (BISI)
The DO organised BISI training in line with BA of E recommendations in a number of West Berkshire primary schools last season. NDBA supported a BISI Festival in March both financially and with helpers on the day. This approach could be an alternative to school demonstrations (see below); further discussions will be held with the DO for next season.

School Demonstrations
The concept of providing a number of local players with at least Leaders Awards to run demonstrations and try-outs of badminton during primary school PE lessons will remains, although there have been no volunteers to do this in the last two seasons.

Further Development
By informal arrangements, a number of the older and more capable members of the junior clubs have played as visitors or guests at Club Nights in a number of the Association's clubs. This will be further encouraged, whilst trying to tidy up subscription and insurance issues.

Coaches

There has been encouraging progress in improving the number of local players with coaching qualifications. Last season, using funding from the Awards for All scheme, the NDBA organised and ran both a Leaders and a Coach Part 1 course free of charge to members of affiliated clubs. This provides a good base for supporting development at both junior (above) and senior (below) level.

It is not proposed to apply for a further grant or run courses in the coming season; both activities require significant effort from an already busy Executive Committee. Information on Leaders and Part 1 courses elsewhere will be sought and advertised. A grant application will, however, be made towards the end of the coming season in order to set up courses or fund attendance in the 2004/5 season.

Senior Badminton

Against a background of reducing numbers of players and clubs, senior badminton must continue to be encouraged and new players drawn into the game. Again, the provision of coaching is believed to be key to personal self-improvement and motivation and thus for membership of the senior clubs.

Coaching Sessions
Two coaching sessions organised at the beginning of last season by the Association were well supported and self-funding. These will be repeated [scheduled for September 2003].

Club Coaches
It remains the view that the appointment and routine employment of a coach (with at least Part I qualification) by each club would be of value; players should get used to receiving coaching input regularly. This is essentially a matter for the clubs individually, but the Association is most willing to recognise club coaches by publishing their names (if they wish) in the handbook and on the website [no progress on this in 2001/2 or 2002/3].

Individual Coaching
Once qualified, coaches will be welcome to use the Association's communication outlet to advertise their availability as coaches for individuals or small groups to be mutually arranged.

Conclusion

It is believed that the above presents the next practical steps for development of the game within the capability and potential funding of NDBA, its clubs and the BCBA Development Officer.

NDBA Executive Committee
July 2003

Addendum
Successes and Failures 2002/3

Successes

• Two junior Badminton Days
• Support for BCBA BISI Festival
• More juniors playing at senior clubs
• Leaders and Coach Part 1 courses sponsored, funded and run: many extra coaches
• Two senior coaching sessions

• Leaders for Badminton into Primary Schools
• Nomination of Club Coaches

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

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