Smash Hits - Fitness Test

Dear Members,

From time to time, we assess how we are progressing in various areas of business to improve, stretch ourselves and get outside of that comfort zone.

BA has invited people from within and outside the badminton community to participate in a badminton participation survey. This will assist in enabling BA and its stakeholders to make informed decisions about the growth, progression and development of the sport for the benefit of members and help bring new players, volunteers and public interest into the sport of Badminton. We appreciate cooperation from all State/Territory Associations to fill out and share this survey link.

Badminton Oceania is welcoming applications for Women In Badminton Scholarships. These are designed to support identified women, to gain skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to develop and progress their leadership pathway in badminton. Please submit your applications via BA for endorsement before 30 October 2016. For more details and the application form, click here.

There are another 10 newly qualified Shuttle Time Teachers across NT and SA, with courses recently delivered in those regions.

Meanwhile, the Sporting Schools Online Booking Portal is LIVE. I have found the virtual workspace (see picture on the right) to be quite user-friendly and easy to follow. The first online badminton booking was secured by a school in VIC. This was promptly processed by the Coaching Provider (Badminton VIC) and also accepted by the assigned Coach.

On the Para-Badminton front, BA has secured support from Badminton Oceania to host the inaugural Australian Para-Badminton Open Championships in Melbourne on 26 November, in conjunction with the Victorian Open & Graded. We anticipate there will be around 10-20 entries across 3 sport classes. Aside from the tournament, a training camp and seminar will also be held from 25-27 November. Accommodation, travel, transport, competition, coaching, meals for players will be subsidised. An event flyer with more information should be available from next week, but please spread the word and encourage athletes with a disability to nominate themselves for this 3-day event.

In other news: Modified sports Social sports

Upcoming participation programs and events: Shuttle Time Teacher Course 16 Oct in Sydney

Regards, Marianne Loh Participation Manager Badminton Australia