Earlier this month, alongside GB Badminton, we boldly wrote a progressive new chapter in the delivery of our performance programme with the birth of a revised structure even better equipped to deliver success for our athletes.
An integral part of our coach-led, athlete-centric structure is our pioneering para badminton programme and its incredibly bright and burgeoning future in this country.
Therefore, we are absolutely thrilled to announce a number of very exciting changes to our para programme.
That begins with prominent new roles for two coaches at the very forefront of our operation in Sheffield. Richard Morris, our inspirational Head Coach of the para badminton programme, has been appointed as Head of Para Badminton.
In this new position, Richard will build robust collaborative relationships with UK Sport and the British Paralympic Association, lead on all Para GB player reviews, mentor our internal and external para coaches, assist the Head Coach in all areas of the delivery of our para programme and continue to be the team lead at major competitions.
“This new role will be a big change for me…but I can’t wait to get my teeth into it,” Morris said. “I have some big ideas about how we can be creative and innovative to achieve our goal of keeping this programme world class. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to implement those ideas and made a difference as part of this new performance structure.”
We are also pleased to announce that James Boxall has been promoted from his position as National Coach to become Head Coach of Para Badminton. He will now fully manage the GB training programme, leading on the development of all our athletes whilst directly supporting the pathway process.
“I am really looking forward to getting stuck into my new role and pushing the programme forward,” said Boxall. “I am excited about this restructure and believe the para programme is in a very strong place.”
We are also currently recruiting for a Pathway Coach for GB Para Badminton. Our restructured performance programme will deliver our core principles consistently across junior, elite and the para-badminton set-up – and this new position will lead a pool of experienced para pathway coaches to ensure it will be badminton coaches who directly manage our athletes.
Overseen by Performance Director, Morten Frost, the para badminton programme is growing ever stronger. And this revised structure is designed to foster a deeper strategic understanding of para badminton from top to bottom, strengthen the bond and establish a more direct link between our para programme based at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, better support the operational elements para badminton development in England and promote innovation and research to sustain our reputation as world leaders within the para badminton environment.
We returned from Paris 2024 with two silver medals from the Paralympic Games – courtesy of stirring performances from both Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs. However, the sights of Badminton England and GB Badminton are already firmly focused on the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 and how we can challenge for more medals with Paralympics GB.
CEO at Badminton England, Sue Storey, said: “I am so proud of the innovative and consistently evolving approach adopted by our world-leading para programme and coaches and the amazing accomplishments of the inspirational group of athletes who are the beating heart of that programme. With this new structure in place, there is no reason why we can’t continue to push the boundaries on what is possible in the world of para badminton.”
Congratulations to Rich and James on their new roles within the organisation. With these advancements, we believe we can continue to blaze a trail in world class para badminton.
