Overview
Badminton is a very popular sport in Hampshire’s schools with children of all ages enjoying the benefits badminton can bring. Schools can deliver badminton through the PE curricular without committing to the financial burden some sports require. Resource packs such as Racket Pack can be purchased by both primary and secondary schools and many key concepts of the new National Curriculum can be covered through the delivery of badminton. Badminton England offers FREE Racket Pack membership for schools, with online resources to get you started.
Badminton England has also published the following documents to help schools plan and prepare for teaching badminton within a Covid-secure environment. This will help to maximise the safety and welfare of staff and pupils during PE and extra-curricular lessons.
RETURN TO PLAY SCHOOLS GUIDANCE
Many schools also offer badminton as an extra-curricular sport with many 15/16 year olds opting to take badminton as part of their GCSE PE practical.
Competitive badminton is thriving in Hampshire at present. Level 1 competition (such as inter-house tournaments within schools) are easy to organise and deliver. Level 2 competition between different schools within a district are aimed at identifying those schools who are particularly successful in the delivery and organisation of badminton. Level 3 competitions see schools competing at a county level at both KS2, KS3 and KS4 ages ranges.
Hampshire Badminton coordinates the delivery of the level 3 events each year and Westgate Badminton Centre has hosted the Hampshire Schools KS3/4 event for the past few years.
Working in partnership with Energise Me, Hampshire Badminton contributes regularly to the Hampshire Schools Games and the provision of Level 3 delivery.
Hampshire Badminton Satellite Club To Open At Perins School
Perins School Junior Badminton Programme is the latest programme to become part of 
Hampshire Badminton’s ‘satellite club’ programme. Increasing participation rates within East Hampshire, where very few junior clubs exist, has long been a key aim for Hampshire Badminton and this brand new club will surely help to kick-start junior badminton in this part of the county.
School pupils from Perins School in Alresford will be the first lucky recipients of some expert coaching from BE accredited level 2 coach Tim Cook starting in January 2021. In time, the plan is for the programme to be extended allowing children from all over the region to benefit.
Hampshire Badminton Development Manager, Richard Peters says:
“One of my key roles as development manager is to ensure that schools and clubs can work together in order to create and sustain opportunities for the next generation of badminton players. Badminton is the fourth most-played sport in England but it is not a consistent picture across the entire country. Developing new opportunities for children to take up the sport of badminton within Hampshire will always be a key priority for us and we look forward to seeing this new venture with Perins School grow and grow”.
For more information, or to receive a letter and registration form for this programme, please contact Richard Peters at centre.manager@hantsbadminton.net