Community Projects: Best of 2024
The title of Badminton England’s ten-year strategy reads: ‘Badminton…A Sport for Everyone’. Across 2024, there have been no shortage of examples of community projects across the country going above and beyond to prove that statement to be correct.
Whether being creative in unusual surroundings, providing outlets for refugees or offering subsidised opportunities for women and children, the nation’s favourite racket sport has made a tangible difference to lives on and off the court this year thanks to the determined efforts of clubs and individuals.
In Reading’s Saint Joseph’s Church, for example, conventions have been overlooked in favour of the simple pleasure of encouraging people on to court.
The ceiling of the church is lower than would usually be required but that did not stop Luke Hornsley, Badminton England’s Regional Manager for the South, coming up with a solution and ensuring badminton could be played in the facility.
“Within our new strategy we are looking for opportunities to open up non-traditional spaces, so this was a perfect opportunity,” Hornsley said.
“We funded the church through the Regional Managers funding pot to set up a new badminton court in Reading – enabling the church to buy equipment for its participants.”
The north-east of England has been particularly active when it comes to community projects in recent months.
In Newcastle, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language) teacher Ruth Ashford set up Welcome to Badminton sessions in her further education college, introducing the sport to more than 500 participants from all backgrounds.
Badminton has helped the players make friends and connections in their new city, while some have even gained coaching qualifications of their own.
Elsewhere in Newcastle, Alison Thompson celebrated 40 years of voluntary service at Jesmond-based Elmfield Badminton Club while on Teesside, Darlington’s Hummersknott Badminton Club saw a surge of youth interest after teaming up with Badminton England to offer a series of free coaching sessions.
Nearby Hartlepool Badminton Club used similar funding to offer subsidised coaching for local schoolchildren, with coach Vicky Evans hailing the ‘fantastic feedback’ given by the children who benefited.
In the West Midlands, the Birmingham-based As Suffa Institute were spurred into action by a Sport England study which revealed only 49% of girls aged five to 11 take part in a team sport.
The organisation, which is committed to conveying Islamic education alongside promoting community participation, teamed up with Badminton England to encourage more girls to get active and established female-only sessions with the aim of breaking down barriers to entry.
Misbah, Children and People Lead at the As Suffa Institute, said: “A year on, the ratio in our youth groups has gone from one girl to eight boys, to one in every two.
“I want that statistic to be equal but it’s an incredible achievement to have got to this point. The gap is narrowing and we’re getting more young girls into sport so that’s a big win.”
Northstowe Badminton Club in Cambridgeshire also witnessed a spike in female participation through women’s social sessions, while Chalfont Eagles’ focus on children between the ages of eight and 18 saw their membership rise to a 20-year high.
Portland College, a specialist college for people with a wide range of disabilities and a Centre of Excellence for Autism in the heart of the Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, could yet unearth the next Dan Bethell or Rachel Choong after establishing a badminton club.
Andrew Gosling, Activities Lead/Coordinator for Portland College, said: “Badminton has been an incredible addition to both our college and community programmes.
“It has been amazing to see how accessible and inclusive badminton can be. Truly anyone can get involved, no matter what a person’s disability may be, there is always a place for you in badminton.”
That statement would no doubt be echoed by many of the unsung heroes who have selflessly dedicated their time to the sport over several decades and continue to do so.
Nishi Varma was set on her coaching mission by being told she was ‘too old’ to improve – a claim she continues to dispel on a daily basis – and she now helps players of all ages at Oakham School.
Ekta Depala established Badminton North London in Barnet upon moving from Gujarat 15 years ago and continues to offer a vital outlet in the community, while Lauren Soodeen celebrated a remarkable 50 years of service at St Margaret’s Badminton Club earlier this year.
And in the Steel City, Sheffield Social Badminton Club continue to welcome a number of players in their 70s and even a 90-year-old, Carmel Rogers, who took up the sport aged 70.
“It’s never too late to start,” said John Walton, the club’s chair.
“Everyone looks up to her, she’ll chat to anybody, her daughter-in-law comes along as well and is now on the committee. She is a complete inspiration.”
