17 January, 2024
A record number of children and young people participated in the nation’s favourite racket sport last year, according to new data released by Sport England.
The Children and Young People Active Lives Survey for the academic year 2022/23 revealed that an estimated 421,400 children and young people aged 5-16 participated in badminton at least once within a week of the survey.
Reports began in the academic year 2017/18 where 350,700 estimated participants played badminton.
An increase of more than 30,000 was reported this year compared to the previous year (388,700 estimated participants) and all school years showed a year-on-year increase.
This data is a record since baseline, with the highest growth reported in secondary schools (Years 7-11).
Initiatives such as Kids for a Quid and The Racket Pack project have helped to drive these numbers and Badminton England will continue to increase participation across the country through similar projects.
Participation was higher for boys than girls in the academic year 2022/23 which is the same as previous years and work is ongoing to address any imbalances within the data.
Badminton England’s 10-year strategy will continue to work on participation levels, along with facilities, coaching, junior pathways and all areas of the sport, to inspire many more young people to get active through badminton.
These results are highly encouraging in an Olympic year, where grassroots badminton will continue to be inspired by those on the world stage.
Badminton England Chief Executive Sue Storey said: “I am delighted to see these figures with more young people than ever before engaging with badminton.
“We launched our strategy last year, with clear focuses on youth and inclusion.
“It is fantastic to see the strategy in action as more young people are inspired to pick up a racket, regardless of their background.
“I can’t wait to see what further strides we make in 2024 – badminton really is a sport for all and everyone at Badminton England is working incredibly hard to ensure we can get as many people as possible onto court.”
