April 24, 2023
Badminton England is pleased to announce that Board of Directors member Peter Emptage has been elected onto the Badminton Europe Board of Directors at the 2023 Badminton Europe Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Alongside running his business as a chartered architect, Peter has been a tireless servant to the sport with over 40 years of experience in badminton as both a player and an administrator.
As well as sitting on Badminton England’s board of directors, he is a World Senior, European Senior and All England Masters medallist and is a facilities advisor for both the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and BWF (Badminton World Federation).
“I’ve been involved in badminton administration for a long time, I’ve been the chairman and the president and the captain of clubs and counties,” said Emptage.
“I think when you’ve played a long time and you’ve been involved in administration, you want to put something back into the game. I love the game, I get so much out of it, and I want other people to do that.
“I can give something back by being on the board of Badminton England, and the Badminton Europe board. What I have is a very broad and deep range of experience and a love of the game that I can bring.
“A lot of member associations are suffering from the same slight drop in participation – and that’s why I think we need to be working at that.”
Increasing badminton participation at both a national and continental level is something that Peter is particularly passionate about, finding solutions will be a key priority as he starts his new role.
Badminton England Board Director, Peter Emptage, talks about his passion for getting more people playing badminton, as he stands for election onto the Badminton Europe Board of Directors at the 2023 BEC Congress in Baku 21-22 April. pic.twitter.com/ISk0im4iZE
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) April 12, 2023
He added: “The challenges are really about getting people playing again. Covid really knocked us all.
“People went out of the game, they found other interests during that two-year period where we couldn’t play, we couldn’t get into a hall.
“I think other Western European nations have that same issue, so we’ve got to get people back into it, and that I think is the challenge – getting them interested.
“We need to get everybody enthused again. If we get the kids playing, get them enthused, that’s the thing – it really is.”
Badminton England Chief Executive Sue Storey added: “I am so pleased for Peter that his many, many years of support and volunteering have been recognised by his election on to the Badminton Europe board.
“It was stressful and exhilarating at the same time. Peter described the election as a tough three-setter which he won 27-25 in the third!
“Badminton England could not be more proud of Peter. The Badminton Europe board are very lucky to have you and your passion for our sport to help them drive forward developments over the coming years.”
Peter will be able to share inspiration and ideas with the Badminton Europe board from the highly anticipated new strategy from Badminton England that will be released later this year.
As a leading nation for participation, junior pathway and governance, Peter will use the strategy to help raise the profile of Badminton England and help influence the development of the sport throughout Europe and increase participation.
