Smash Hits - Positive Growth
Dear Members,
There is much positive news around the country. With all annual reports submitted and evidence of membership growth, we will be taking our case to the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for the categorisation of badminton to be upgraded in the 2018/2019 financial year. Thank you again to all State board and staff members for supporting the participation plan thus far.
We welcomed more Shuttle Time Teachers in NSW, NT, SA, Vic over the last couple of months and as at last week, Victoria ticked over 100+ Shuttle Time Teachers trained in 2017, a milestone for any State. We also had positive results in Term 3 Sporting Schools (data emailed to all States) including an increased uptake in Tasmania. Thank you to Shuttle Time and Sporting Schools coordinators in each State for driving this.
The first Badminton World Federation (BWF) Level 1 Coach Education Course was completed in Adelaide last month after plenty of theoretical and practical work. We thank Badminton Oceania's Robbie Thackham for leading the course, Ian Bridge for assisting, and South Australian Badminton Association for hosting the group for two weekends. If your State would like to host one of these courses in 2018, please contact us with your preferred dates (two weekends separated by a minimum 8 week gap).
The ASC has issued draft physical literacy standards for Australia. Physical literacy is a 'lifelong holistic learning' 'applied in movement and physical activity contexts'. The standards can be used by anyone at any life stage, and at all levels, to develop physical literacy. It is no surprise that children of this generation are losing physical literacy as they haven't mastered fundamental movement skills such as catching, throwing, and leaping, striking. All Associations and their Clubs to continue growing and nurturing the implementation of Shuttle Time as it integrates these fundamental movements into its learning areas to ensure children develop the skills required for confident participation in badminton games and also develop a positive image of the sport.
On the other side of the coin, we can also learn more about participation for older adults. About a third (30%) of all older adults who do physical activity for recreation, sport or exercise do this in a club setting. Key elements of these sports include reduced physical contact, low impact, the potential to modify equipment, shorten match times and play with amended rules. Most importantly, age appropriate marketing, and promoting any inter-generational fun and social side of the sport encourages mature aged adults to play more often. As I write, I believe Melbourne has welcomed over 400+ participants (82+ teams) for the Atalanta Jamboree Ladies Badminton Championships 2017...a great achievement for the organisers (photo below courtesy of Badminton Victoria)!
Five para-badminton players were in Tokyo last month to compete in the Japan Para-Badminton International. There were some respectable wins, with all players showing improvement since their last events. There will be eight players off to the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships (21-26 November) in Ulsan, Korea. In the meantime, the International Paralympic Committee has announced 14 medal events for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This announcement has energised some people to give para-badminton a try, especially in Adelaide. Keep a look out for more people knocking on your doors - perhaps consider registering an event (eg. Come & Try / Open Day) to celebrate International Day of People with Disability with the community.
Upcoming events: Badminton Australia would like to promote Member events and courses more often on the BA website, social media platforms and other forums. Please email us your calendar of events and coaching course details as they are updated.
In other news: England's Insights into Volunteering Habits
Regards, Marianne Loh Participation Manager Badminton Australia
