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Badminton chief comes to Derbyshire to learn more about county development plans

14 October 2008

Adrian was joined by George Wood, Head of Development at Badminton England, and the pair met with representatives from the Derbyshire County Badminton Association, Derbyshire Sport, local sport and leisure and education services, schools and clubs.

They were given a tour of John Port School in Etwall, where a new purpose-built badminton centre is currently being built, with £500,000 of funding from Badminton England. It is due to open next summer. Head teacher at John Port Frank Briggs introduced the plans for the school, which will complement work across the county through school sports partnerships and district councils.

They also visited Woodlands School in Derby, where they saw a school club link session and a performance session that involved the most talented junior players in the county.

Further discussions took place to determine the next steps for badminton in the county and how it will complement the national picture.

The visit was a chance to showcase the badminton development work over the past 18 months and future plans, and follows the launch of the county development plan last year and the appointment of a temporary development officer for the county in July.

Funding is now being sought to grow badminton through the system in Derbyshire over the next four years with Community Badminton Networks at the heart of the participation agenda and Performance Centres at the heart of the performance agenda.

David Joy, director of Derbyshire Sport, said: “Badminton is a sport which is trying really hard to move forward through its committed volunteers and its county plan. Future investment is important, in order to enhance the county infrastructure and allow the sport to reach its potential.”