The weekend of the 13^th -15^th January saw Scotland’s top Physically Disabled badminton players in attendance at Scotstoun Badminton Academy and the Gorbals Sports Centre to participate in the third Scottish PD National squad meet and to be put through their paces by coaches John Shearer and Alex Bird.

The group consisted of the best wheelchair user and standing badminton athletes plus visiting players from England and Finland. The focus on Saturday was very much coach led with the wheelchair programme considering explosive pushing from stationary positions as well as looking at ensuring a very quick momentum change after striking the shuttle.

The standing players focus was retained on shot selection under pressure and exerting pressure on the opponent by introducing an attacking base off the net. All players worked exceptionally hard and as is now customary with the PD squad showed significant improvement and exceptional attitude over the course of the weekend.

The Sunday session was predominantly game based with sparring against coaches and peers. Although the previous days work did initially show with some tired bodies, the games were mostly played to a high standard with a lot of the previous day’s focus being implemented.

The involvement of the Finnish and English players was of great benefit as it provided additional opponents and new challenges to our Scottish group which will hopefully further prepare all involved for the upcoming challenges in the home and European tournaments.

Scottish results in World and European competition are breaking barriers and creating opinion that the Scottish programmes are productive and effective in producing world class results and the fact that a national camp is now attended by English and Finnish players is indicative of the great work that the players and teams are producing. If these programmes can gain additional support and backing the results so far suggest big things to come.

The next local event in the Para-badminton calendar is the 4 Nations Parabadminton Championships, held at Scotstoun between the 17^th and 19^th February.

If you want to see World class athletes competing come along to support this event and see the performances that these world class athletes are producing.