Successful first year for Pathway Club Programme
Badminton Scotland’s Pathway Club Programme has enjoyed a warm reception from many clubs throughout the course of its inaugural season.
The application process to join the programme was launched in May last year and a total of 11 clubs from all over Scotland became part of the initiative in season 2018/19.
Put in place in order to support clubs and coaches to help them develop young players by providing them with a sound technical, tactical and physical base within their own club environment, the programme aims to provide young players with regular structured coaching sessions, maximising the number of children training locally and allowing the base of those participating at a young age to expand.
It therefore provides a more inclusive approach by catering for young players all over Scotland, creating stronger player development pathways and increasing tournament entries, as well as encouraging lifelong participation in the sport.
Clubs from all over Scotland have taken part in the inaugural season and Badminton Scotland’s Head of Engagement Lyndsay Morrison said: “We have clubs from all over Scotland in the Pathway Club Programme, from the central belt all the way to Orkney.
“We want to strengthen the local infrastructure for as many young players as possible so it was important for us to make sure that we included clubs from as many parts of the country as possible.”
The initiative also aims to strengthen local club and coaching infrastructure through mentoring and ongoing support through regional staff, meaning that local volunteers and officials will have the chance to deepen their understanding of key concepts involved in a training programme, as well as developing knowledge of local, regional and national tournaments. Club committees and volunteers will also have support to develop and plan for the future.
Morrison continued: “As we come to the end of the first season of the programme, we have been conducting a review to see what has worked well and what we might need to revise for next season.
“We recognise that each club is different so we plan to take an individual approach to club and coach support mechanisms.
“We will also be opening up applications for more clubs to be involved in the programme for season 2019/20.
“I’m happy to say we have received some great feedback from the clubs involved and I would encourage as many clubs as possible to make enquiries about getting involved.”
What they said…
NEFBA Jaguars: “The programme has been good for helping us to focus on the more important basics and getting them right from the outset. It has also helped us to structure our training sessions better.”
Inverness City Badminton Club: “We have already started to change the way we deliver the sessions for the young players and we envisage a real step change in their skills development.”
City of Glasgow Badminton Club: “The programme has worked really well for our club so far.
“The workshop that was held in December was at a good level for some of our less experienced coaches and for the coaches with more experience, they have been able to access sessions that are part of Badminton Scotland’s performance pathway.
“The programme has been a great support to us and we look forward to seeing how it will develop in the future.”
Which clubs have benefitted?
The clubs already involved with the programme are
Aberdeen Badminton Academy
Caithness Badminton Club
City of Glasgow Badminton Club
Cults Badminton Club
Erskine Badminton Club
Forthside Badminton Club
Glasgow Chinese Badminton Club
Inverness City Badminton Club
Orkney Junior Badminton Club
Nefba Jaguars
Wing Badminton Club
How to get involved
The application process for new clubs to become involved with the Pathway Club Programme opens in May. For further information contact Lyndsay Morrison, email lyndsay@badmintonscotland.org.uk or phone 0141 445 1218