2023 is another big year for Badminton in Wales with a new plan focusing on communities throughout Wales, increased Sport Wales funding to deliver it, an expanded staffing team, and re-invigorated voluntary commitment.
Results are already being seen with healthy numbers attending new Community Coaching courses, growth within senior competitions, more opportunities for Masters players, BW Performance player Jack Wilson included within the GB World Class Para Programme and a bronze medal for Saffron Morris at the recent European U17 Championships.
Over time Welsh badminton has had many success stories due to the talent, commitment and hard work of many different people but September 20th 2023 marks twenty five years since arguably the most significant achievement in the sport’s ninety-five year history within Wales – on this day a young Kelly Morgan won the women’s singles at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Twenty five years on and it is the same individual – now Kelly Aston, Badminton Wales CEO since 2019 – driving her beloved sport to re-create those heady days. Kelly and the growing team around her know it will be a long journey but are committed to developing badminton into one of Wales’ strongest community sports.