Sports
Badminton / Wheelchair Badminton
Background
Badminton was recognised in 1996 by the founders of the International Badminton Association for the Disabled (IBAD) (Jim Mackay and Jan Kraay, Holland). There are now over 30 countries (July 2006) that are members of IBAD and Wales were added to this number in 2002.
The aim for the Union is to develop its own National Team and to actively be part of a British structure and also the Para-Olympics.
The International Badminton Federation has committed themselves to supporting the development of disabled badminton across the World and have given their support to badminton attempting to gain inclusion in the Paralympics.
Developments in Wales have shown that there are players in the system that have the potential to compete at a high level. The plan is to ensure that these players are identified and given the opportunity to develop.
Through working with other IBAD countries and developing our own coaching structures for disabled players, the WBU aim to be competitive on an Elite level in the next 5 years. By introducing a system that mirrors the current grass roots to Elite level path followed by able bodied athletes the Union will provide every opportunity for disabled athletes to reach their potential.
Introduction
The Welsh Disabled Badminton development plan has been instigated in an attempt to first raise awareness and then start to put in place plans to develop a simple and efficient long term plan to ensure regular and consistent opportunities for the development of disabled badminton players across Wales.
Initially the plan will concentrate on those disabilities identified by the International Badminton Association for Disabled (IBAD) in order to pursue the goal of developing players for the European and World Championships and ultimately the Paralympics. The Union also realise that as the plan progresses that there will be a need to be flexible and to support other disabilities by providing opportunities for them to experience the game.
The Union have been able to raise the awareness across a number of areas, namely, current membership (individuals, clubs and coaches), possible partners (sponsors and volunteers), SCW / FDSW and IBAD.
Mission Statement
To introduce a structured badminton plan for the development of disabled badminton in Wales. To ensure that the plan continues to fit into the British model while supporting strategic development increased participation and performance opportunities for Welsh players up to national and international level.
To continue to develop an effective performance pathway to enable Welsh disabled players to sample and participate in a quality coaching and competitive structure.
The structure to be continually developed in conjunction with the WBU Coaching and Technical Committee, the Federation of Disability Sports Wales (FDSW) and at a British level with the Badminton England (BE) the Scottish Badminton Union (SBU) and the Badminton Union of Ireland (BUI) and the GB Badminton Disabled committee.
For more information on Disabled Clubs in Wales contact:
South Wales:
Tony Tullett
02920 913804
anthony.tullett@tiscali.co.uk
North Wales :
Norman Greenhouse
01248 353600
normang@lonybryn.wanadoo.co.uk
General Secretary
Jim Mackay
01492 623845
jim@rjmackay.wanadoo.co.uk
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