Thursday, 21 Nov 2024

Badminton Pan America

The world of badminton presents unique challenges for young players who dedicate their time to training and competing on the court. After their playing careers, transitioning to the “real world” can be daunting. Recognizing these challenges, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has taken steps to support young players in pursuing their educational and alternate career goals while still actively participating in the sport.

At the recent BWF World Junior Championships, which took place in October, the BWF seized the opportunity to inform players about the various projects and resources available to them. This cohort of young athletes, who are on the cusp of embarking on their professional journeys, were engaged through direct interactions, focus group sessions, and informative presentations. BWF Development Manager Erica Khoo and BWF Development Officer Tracy Tan personally connected with around 330 players from 27 Member Associations, providing them with detailed information on the available resources.

By directly engaging with the players, the BWF was able to identify any communication gaps and offer assistance to those who expressed interest. These interactions were not only informative but also engaging, featuring fun quizzes and exciting takeaway gifts.

One initiative that garnered significant interest from the young players was the BWF’s dual-career pathway, developed in collaboration with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). This program offers an Athlete Certificate, a Bachelor of International Sport Management degree, and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Sport Management. The Athlete Certificate course, in particular, was highly regarded for its focus on developing essential skills such as time management, social media navigation, and prioritizing athletes’ health and well-being. Participants were delighted to learn that the BWF offered full scholarships for those competing at the World Juniors to complete the course.

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Several players, including Mahoor Shahzad (Pakistan), Gronya Somerville (Australia), Adham Hatem Elgamal, Nour Youssri (both Egypt), Ritah Asiimwe (Uganda), and Georges Julien Paul (Mauritius), have already enrolled in the Postgraduate Certificate and Bachelor Degree in International Sport Management, reflecting the increasing popularity of these programs.

For players considering a future career in badminton, there are various avenues to explore, such as becoming a tournament organizer, national administrator, coach, technical official, or participating in the Shuttle Time program. International players also have the opportunity to complete a Fast Track Coaching Course under the BWF Coach Education pathway program.

With positive responses from players and teams, the BWF plans to extend its outreach efforts to more players at different events and levels, including Para badminton, Super 100, International Challenge, International Series, and junior events. The aim is to provide support and resources to a wider range of players through collaboration with Continental Confederations.

As BWF Development Manager Erica Khoo stated, “We have a lot of continental competitions for juniors, Para badminton, and seniors in 2023. So there will be opportunities for us to work closely with the Continental Confederations to deliver the activation.”

FAQs

Q: What resources does the BWF offer to young badminton players?
A: The BWF provides various resources to support young players, including a dual-career pathway developed with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). This program offers an Athlete Certificate, a Bachelor of International Sport Management degree, and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Sport Management. The BWF also offers scholarships for players competing at the World Juniors to complete the Athlete Certificate course.

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Q: What career pathways are available for badminton players?
A: Badminton players can explore career opportunities within the sport, such as becoming a tournament organizer, national administrator, coach, technical official, or participating in the Shuttle Time program. Additionally, international players have the opportunity to complete a Fast Track Coaching Course under the BWF Coach Education pathway program.

Summary

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is committed to supporting young badminton players in pursuing their educational and alternate career goals. By engaging directly with players at events like the BWF World Junior Championships, the BWF provides valuable information on available resources, such as the dual-career pathway developed with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). This program offers Athlete Certificates, a Bachelor of International Sport Management degree, and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Sport Management. The BWF’s initiatives aim to equip players with essential skills and create opportunities for their future careers within the sport. With positive feedback from players and teams, the BWF plans to expand its outreach efforts to more players and events.