2 August, 2023
Badminton England put rackets in the hands of countless locals by delivering Saturday’s ‘Have a go’ event in Sheffield Millennium Square.
Led by a team from Badminton England, the event was used to promote tickets for the 4 Nations Para Badminton International, which is taking place at the EIS Sheffield from 2-6 August, and grow the game in the city.
Among those in attendance were English para badminton stars Jack Shephard, Krysten Coombs and Dan Bethell, all of whom are in action at the 4 Nations this week.
The event promoted badminton as a fun, inclusive activity that is suitable for players of all ages and abilities, with drills delivered from Badminton England’s Racketpack programme.
There were also a couple of sport wheelchairs for people to experience disability badminton, two of six purchased through grants from UK Sport as part of the 4 Nations legacy project.
At the event, children and adults were able to try the chairs themselves and participate in a number of challenges that test speed and agility with and without a racket.
The chairs will be based at the EIS Sheffield, where the GB Para Badminton squad and Badminton England will use them for future disability tournaments and training events, allowing players with a disability and who do not own a sport wheelchair to use one.
The event also showcased badminton opportunities in and around the Sheffield area, of which more information can be found here.
Participant Delphi Phillips, eight, said: “Playing badminton was actually really good fun. I really enjoyed playing with the wheelchair and doing some fun challenges, but it was really hard when I tried to play badminton with a racket.
“I really thought it was a fun sport to play and I definitely want to play some more”
Sarah Darragh, Club & Programme Manager for Badminton England said: “Badminton England will soon be launching a new strategy for the sport of badminton in England which will share our ambition to grow the sport over next 10 years.
“Having events like this in Sheffield is essential to showcase badminton to so many new adults and children, encouraging them to give badminton a try.
“Badminton is the most inclusive sport and having some of our sport wheelchairs here for people to try really shows this.
“Today in Sheffield was a great success and we hope to deliver more events like this around the country very soon”.
