NDBA Development Strategy
- 2004 Update

Introduction

The Berkshire County Badminton Association (BCBA) is supporting the development initiatives of the Badminton Association of England (BAofE) 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. BCBA have recently agreed to continue the work of the DO beyond three years, and this is welcomed.

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 BAofE 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 three 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 third update (dated July 2004).

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 the Thatcham Junior Club sponsored by St Mary’s BC (formerly run by Kennet Sports Centre). Both clubs are run by volunteers who are mainly players in local clubs or parents or both; most possess the Coach Part 1 or Leaders Awards. Both clubs have had full memberships over the last season and have achieved good standards and successes for individual youngsters.

The aim for next season is to consolidate the progress recently made, to expand membership if possible and to offer more structure for those youngsters wishing to be coached to higher standards.
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 BAofE 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. The Badminton Day held last season was not well supported and it has proved difficult to attract new children to these events since advertising through schools is uncertain. It is not proposed to organise a similar event this coming season.

Badminton Into Schools Initiative (BISI). An attempt was made to arrange a BISI event (sessions in interested primary schools followed by a “festival”), but this had to be postponed. It is now being organised and funded by NDBA to conclude in November 2004; six schools have indicated an interest. We need to find volunteers to assist the DO in schools visits and to help at the festival.

School Demonstrations. The BISI event largely subsumes the proposals for school demonstrations.

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 continue to be encouraged.

Coaches

The availability of coaches is essential in supporting development at both junior (above) and senior (below) level, and it has been good to see recently qualified coaches form the district assisting junior badminton. At the county level the Berkshire Badminton Coaches Association (BBCA) provides an additional source of funding and events to keep coaches up to speed with developments.

An Awards for All grant is being applied for to provide funding for district players to undertake Leaders and Part 1 courses over the coming season. Given sufficient demand, it may be that the association will sponsor a Leaders course.

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 2004].

Club Coaches. There appears to have been no response to the suggestion that clubs might appointment their own coaches and integrate them into club activities.

Individual Coaching. Qualified coaches are always welcome to use the Association's communication outlet to advertise their availability 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 2004

Addendum
Successes and Failures 2003/4

Successes

• Continuing play by juniors at senior clubs (including in matches)
• Communication links developed with BBCA
• Foundations for 2nd BISI event laid
• Two senior coaching sessions

Failures

• Badminton Day not well supported
• 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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