Badminton Wales CEO Kelly Aston MBE OLY has been invited by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to represent badminton globally at the forthcoming Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Women’s Leadership Workshop, taking place from 24–28 October in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Kelly will be the sole badminton representative at the conference, a recognition of her growing leadership profile within both the sport and the wider Olympic movement.
Hosted by ASOIF, the Women’s Leadership Workshop brings together senior women from across Olympic International Federations for advanced leadership and communication training, peer collaboration, and engagement with key figures from the global sporting landscape. The programme aims to empower more women to hold senior and elected positions within sport.
The workshop will conclude with the opening of the International Federations Forum, attended by newly appointed IOC President Kirsty Coventry and leaders from across the Olympic Movement providing a significant opportunity for networking and collaboration.
Kelly Aston MBE OLY said:
“It’s an honour to represent badminton at a global forum of this scale. The ASOIF programme is a proven catalyst for change, and I’m looking forward to connecting with other leaders who are driving progress across Olympic sports. For me, it’s also about representing Wales and the wider UK 4 Nations family in shaping what inclusive, forward-looking sport leadership can look like.”
Badminton Wales Chair Peter Hybart added:
“Kelly’s selection reflects the respect she has earned internationally both for her leadership of Badminton Wales and her contributions across the 4 Nations. We’re proud to see her take this step and continue to be a voice for badminton and for women in sport.”
The invitation from the BWF underscores the growing influence of Welsh and 4 Nations leadership within world badminton and its commitment to advancing gender equality across sport governance.