Dunstable Badminton Club are leading the way in making sure everyone can enjoy the nation’s favourite racket sport.
The club teamed up with Badminton England to create bespoke sessions to encourage more women to join the club, starting a ladies’ session last November to provide two hours of fully coached sessions each week.
The sessions have proved a roaring success, with women feeling more comfortable and able to express themselves, with numbers steadily increasing under the guidance of coaches Alan Stewart, Sophie Vernon, Roukaya Georgiou and Abdul Aziz.
“I have been looking for a ladies club for a very long time and was so pleased when I heard about this session early last year and was really eager to join,” said club member Madeeha Samsudeen.
“I find the sessions really fun and useful as it offered coaching sessions to improve our playing skills. The sessions help me learn techniques and improve my game.
“Alan’s teaching skills are great as he gets us to move and focus on positioning techniques, control and movements and having skilled players like Roukaya and Sophie has been great for our training.
“I would love for these sessions to continue so we get to meet and play with other women and would love to play some club matches in future.”
Club member Elaine Razon added: “Joining Dunstable Ladies Badminton Club provides the opportunity to meet other leaders to play with, build confidence, and enhance badminton skills.
“Alan, Roukaya and Sophie are supportive and focussed, giving close attention when we need extra help. Alan also advises us when our technique needs improvement and praises us when we’re doing well.“
In addition to supporting players, Dunstable Badminton Club have also taken steps to ensure its coaches can reach their full potential, with Vernon, Georgiou and Aziz the beneficiaries of coaching courses.
Aziz said: “Completing the Coaching Foundation Award has been an invaluable experience, giving me the knowledge and confidence to deliver well-structured, engaging and inclusive sessions.
“It has allowed me to develop as a coach, ensuring that participants of all levels can improve their skills in a supportive environment.
“The impact extends beyond just my own growth – it has created opportunities for more people to get involved, stay active, and enjoy the game.
“Seeing players develop and gain confidence each session is incredibly rewarding. The qualification has been a crucial step in my coaching journey, and with further development, I can continue to contribute even more to the community, helping to grow participation and create positive experiences for all involved.”
