GB Badminton’s desire to continually invest in a world class national coaching structure will gather extra momentum in the new year with news that highly respected international coach Steen Pedersen will be on hand to support and advise during this critical time for Team GB.

Pedersen, who has been a leading influential figure in the Danish National team coaching set up for 16 years, retired from his position of Head Coach in 2008 but his engagement with GB Badminton as a ‘coach consultant’ is widely considered a real coup for the sport ahead of next summer’s games.

The arrangement will see Steen make regular visits to the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, between January and July 2012, assisting technical and personal development in one on one mentoring sessions with the national coaches.

In addition, Pedersen’s vast experience will also be passed down the coaching pathway as he hosts a series of workshops for a limited number of coaches in England badminton high performance network.

Speaking of the coup to land Pedersen in this unique arrangement, GB Badminton Performance Director Jens Grill said “In Steen we have someone who believes in the values we are aiming to establish in the current environment and someone who himself has faced a number of the challenges we are facing at the moment.

He will be able to question what we do, how we do it and engage in open discussions with coaches from an independent stand point.”

Pedersen’s knowledge in the game spans many major title and Championship wins as a coach and he remains involved with the sport, as coach to the reigning Danish Team Champions [Greve] whilst also providing support to local authorities, businesses and badminton players.

Grill added “We believe it is extremely important to invest in our coaches if we wish to continue to deliver world class results in the future.”