Badminton Wales – Aspire Programme

Badminton Wales is passionate about helping the next generation of badminton coach to create our future and ensure Welsh badminton success.

Aspire is a Mentoring and Training programme designed for young badminton enthusiasts who will become an integral part of  .with a primary focus on Coach Development plus additional skills.  Currently being developed with 5-8 volunteers Aspire is now being rolled out formally in Autumn/Winter 2024.

Aspire is looking to help young individuals (16-20) start their journey to be the next generation of badminton coach/club member/volunteer.  Aspire is designed for young badminton enthusiasts who will gain experience in Technical Coaching plus Club and Event development. Aspire will provide you with hands-on coaching experience under the guidance of a BW Coach.

Aspire will run over approximately a 24-month period and give participants practical experience in the Planning and Delivery of badminton sessions; with a mentor, to help develop their coaching experience.  At the end of the 24-month period participants will have gained practical coaching experience including opportunities at National Development Squad level or Talent ID days, plus a range of supplementary courses which will show you different facets of Badminton Wales functionality including Events, First Aid, Safe-Guarding, Club Development, Social Media and others.  Participants will collect 10 different certification and will be submitted for engagement in the BWF Level 1 Coach Education Programme.  Experience gained throughout the Aspire scheme will prepare the participants for the challenges that the BWF L1 will present.

Aspire candidates will form a Youth Council – giving a voice to the future generations of young badminton player.

The course will be divided in to a series of face to face and online learning.  Projects will require independent research and practice but will be supported by BW staff.  You will be required to attend events independently and this may involve overnight stays at your own expense.

Full contact days including delivery at Junior Squads and volunteering at WINT, plus and Online meetings will form the basis of the badminton contact however other specific course contact time may be required, eg First Aid training.  Other volunteering opportunities will be provided that will add to the participant’s experience.

Certification goals via Aspire

• BWF Shuttle Time Community Course
• Youth Leaders Cert
• Disability Awareness Training
• First Aid
• Safeguarding (Age dependant)
• Technical Court Officials/Line Judging
• DBS (Age appropriate)
• UKAD Awareness
• Module 13 BWF Coach Education

To complete the course participants will be required to collect all certificates plus log a minimum of 40 coaching hours (at National Junior Development Squad sessions or similar eg supporting Junior Club coaching) and a further 40 volunteering hours in event delivery, officialdom, management and digital strategies etc.

Course timings may be subject to change and as such, updated content may be re-visited.

The cost of the course will be £150.

Aspire 24 will accept 6 applicants for the 2024 commencement.

All Applicants must be aged 16 – 20 (on October 1, 2024)

To apply please send a short report (300 words maximum) explaining why you feel that you would be able to commit to and deliver on this scheme by September 20^th at 09:00h

Interviews for the places will be arranged on the evenings of w/c 23^rd September (Online Interview).

Applications need to be submitted via e mail to donal.ohalloran@badminton.wales

A very brief outline of the course is provided below.  This will be structure to maximise the opportunities for all individuals to engage in the process without significantly disrupting existing school/work commitments.

Additional education opportunities will be provided throughout the period.

Commitments of applicants.

Aspire attendees must be able to commit to the following.

• Attend 80% Online components as per agreed schedule
• Act as Assistant Coach in either Celtic Challenge or U15 Quadrangular series.  2024 and/or 2025
• Work independently and complete all tasks assigned.
• Face to face meetings at specific events including National Junior squad (2 out of 5 minimum), WINT. To be agreed with BW staff.
• Run a local Dragon series event (with support and 4-6 month lead in).
• Actively participate in Youth Council and provide direct feedback to the BW Board and AGM.
• Run a local NSA badminton session (6-8 week commitments ie 1 day a week for 6-8 weeks) to include an EDI commitment.
• Support at and then deliver at a local identified Junior Badminton Club.
• Support at and deliver other miscellaneous Badminton Development opportunities.

Modules to include:

DATES (Compulsory)

Induction (ONLINE)

Youth Council.

Role of the Coach, Observation and Analysis

Planning.

Tactics.

Face to Face Contacts (Compulsory)

WINT (Must attend as part of Coach Education/Technical Officials/Volunteer)

November 28^th

National Junior Trials

South             Dec 14 TBC

North             Dec 15 TBC

National Junior Development Squads (must attend minimum 2 of 4)

Dates of National Junior Development Squads

Trials Dec 14/15                 Technical Hitting Considerations

Bangor Jan 4/5                    Tactical Considerations

Bangor Feb 19/20             CELTIC CHALLANGE

Haverfordwest Mar 8/9  Technical Movement Considerations

TBC May 3/4                        Technical Hitting Considerations

TBC Sept 6/7                        Technical Movement Considerations

National Trials Nov            Tactical Considerations

Dates of Online Sessions 2024

Date

Session 1 Induction                                    October 3rd

Session 2 Role of the coach                     October 17th

Session 3 Observation                               November 11th

Session 4 Planning                                     January 9^th 2025

Session 5 Pedagogy                                   March 11^th 2025