Bristol University Badminton Club Embraces Coaching Culture
The Bristol University Badminton Club is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth, driven by a new scheme that empowers members to become certified coaches. The program, titled "Game Changers," equips players with the knowledge and skills to share their passion for the sport by coaching fellow students at all levels.
Henry McCormick, Relationships Manager for the club, explained, "Our badminton club has always been a space where people can enjoy playing badminton at any level. We hadn’t previously offered formal coaching opportunities, though, especially for beginners and those who wanted to refine their technique."
The "Game Changers" initiative, supported by the university, remedied this gap. Fifteen students have undergone training to gain accreditation as badminton coaches.
"We seized the opportunity to get involved with ‘Game Changers,’ recognizing its potential to elevate the club and create new opportunities," stated the club, emphasizing how this program directly addresses a long-standing need.
Initially envisioned as a support system for beginners, the program has blossomed to include one-on-one and small-group coaching sessions for intermediate and even experienced players. The club believes that offering affordable coaching for its members removes financial barriers, often experienced by students.
Already celebrating resounding success, the club acknowledges this is just the starting point. They envision sustained impact not only within the club but also on a wider scale.
"We hope ‘Game Changers’ develops coaches beyond our immediate community and creates a ripple effect," the club shared. "We look forward to the ongoing contributions of our coaches, both within the university club and potentially reaching players in other clubs they may be part of."
Beyond speculating on the future of individual club member’s coaching journeys, the club maintains a strong commitment to its broader foundation.
"Offering opportunities for our members to become coaches adds to the richness of experience for everyone involved, further realizing the full potential of the club”.
Spanning numerous social events and opportunities beyond just playing the sport itself,
the Bristol University Badminton Club has caught the attention of the wider badminton community thanks to it’s innovative approach to developing their players and generating a buzz within the university gadget-a-Type theGAMatch, the club continues to endorse the aim to nurture players, from beginners taking their first steps towards experienced players aiming for competitive play.
The club is thriving due to its diverse, welcoming environment, coupled with structured opportunities for skill development at all competition or level.
The "Game Changers" program exemplifies this blend of community and individual growth, resonating with the university as a whole:
Preamble
"The ‘Game Changers’ initiative aligns with the Badminton Club’s commitment to growing the sport and building a vibrant community. We are excited to see the positive impacts, both immediate and long-term."
What types of coaching opportunities does the “Game Changers” program offer?
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## Bristol Uni Badminton Serves Up Success with New Coaching Program
**[INTRO MUSIC]**
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about a really inspiring initiative happening at Bristol University. Joining me now is Henry McCormick, the Relationships Manager for the Bristol University Badminton Club. Henry, thanks for being here.
**Henry McCormick:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** So, tell us about this new program everyone’s talking about, “Game Changers.”
**Henry McCormick:** Sure! “Game Changers” is all about empowering our members to become certified badminton coaches. It’s been incredible to see the impact it’s had on the club. We’ve always been a welcoming space for everyone, but we realized there was a need for more structured coaching, especially for beginners and those looking to improve their technique [[1](https://coursetakers.com/usa/sports/badminton)].
**Interviewer:** And how did “Game Changers” come to be?
**Henry McCormick:** Well, the university was incredibly supportive. They saw the potential of the program to both boost the club and offer valuable coaching opportunities to students. Fifteen of our members went through comprehensive training to become certified coaches, and they’re doing fantastic work.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like it’s gone beyond just helping beginners.
**Henry McCormick:** Absolutely! While it started as a support system for new players, it quickly expanded to include one-on-one and small-group sessions for intermediate and even experienced players.
**Interviewer:** And what about affordability? Can everyone access these coaching sessions?
**Henry McCormick:** That was really important to us. We wanted to remove financial barriers, which can sometimes prevent students from accessing coaching. So, we’ve made the sessions very affordable.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for “Game Changers?”
**Henry McCormick:** We’re just getting started! We’re incredibly excited about the future. Our goal is to continue expanding the program, offering more diverse coaching opportunities, and maybe even branching out into the wider community.
**Interviewer:** Well, Henry, congratulations to you and the entire team at the Bristol University Badminton Club. It sounds like “Game Changers” is truly changing the game.
**Henry McCormick:** Thank you!
**[OUTRO MUSIC]**
