Smash Hits - Road to 2017
Dear Members,
Many thanks to all State/Territory Associations for assisting in the promotion of Badminton Australia's Participation Survey. We are now in the process of holding focus groups across 3 states to drill into trends from the survey, and hope to share outcomes soon.
Interestingly (and not surprisingly), one of the early survey trends indicate that badminton needed to showcase more of its 'heroes'. However, if you think heroes are simply defined as high performance athletes...think again. Role models exist in the general adult population, hence it is also important for us to seek ways to engage adults (parents) in the sport. Watch this.
Meanwhile, Badminton Australia's Sport Participation Grant Applications are now open. Please submit applications to me by 30 November. Nominations are also open for persons/groups to be considered for 2016 Awards. Organisations that engage, recognise and support its members have a better chance of recruiting and retaining them, given that most are volunteers. Everyone who has played sport has at least 1 volunteer to thank, so I welcome you to download further information, start nominating, and share the announcement with your member communities.
The 2017 Shuttle Time Tutor Training Course will be held on the weekend of 28-29 January 2016 in Maribyrnong, VIC. Badminton Australia will fund travel and accommodation for one nomination per State/Territory to attend, on the condition that the attendee will deliver a minimum of 2 Shuttle Time Teacher Training Courses in 2017. Additional nominees are welcome to attend at the Members’ or the individual’s own costs. The closing date for nominations is Friday 9th December 2016.
Major progress has been made on Para-Badminton. Disability Sports Australia recently launched a page promoting para-badminton. The inaugural Australian Para-Badminton Open Championships and Training Camp registrations have also exceeded expectation - we will see 26 players participate (from across 5 states, 3 countries, 4 sport classes).
Upcoming participation programs and events: Level 1 Umpire Course 19 Nov in ACT
See you all at the AGM and Forum on Saturday 26 Nov.
Regards, Marianne Loh Participation Manager Badminton Australia
