Plymouth & District Badminton League

MINUTES OF MEETING - Ref: Junior Development

HELD ON TUESDAY 19^th APRIL 2005

PRESENT:
Chris Still – Chairman, Plymouth Badminton League
John Edwards – Regional Development Manager for the South West
Stuart Dudley – Active Communities Manager, Sport Plymouth

The meeting had been arranged to address the ongoing situation of encouraging junior players into the sport, more particularly in the Plymouth League. Invitations had been sent to all clubs within the League plus Committee Members, and it was encouraging to see such a good turn out. Despite well supported tournaments across the region, junior players do not seem keen to progress through into the adult clubs, and it was stated that the intention of this meeting would be to hear any thoughts on how to steer junior players in the direction of senior clubs.

John Edwards and Stuart Dudley both gave a brief outline of the roles the play in encouraging sport and badminton in particular in the region, and ideas were invited from the floor.

The following points were raised:-

Not many youngsters are made to feel welcome in clubs.

What is the best way to encourage them? Ideas were invited.

Torpoint had written to schools inviting junior players to their club. This had resulted in an initial participation by junior players but their enthusiasm dwindled and their attendance eventually ceased.

One recommendation would be for juniors to spend the first hour playing in pairs supervised by a coach.

If all clubs are prepared to accept junior players as club members, eventually the players would filter through to the League.

Enthusiasm for all clubs to encourage junior players should be emphasised at the AGM.

If each club had a qualified coach then this may encourage juniors into clubs.

If each club adds the support of juniors to their constitution, then encouragement of juniors will automatically follow.

Junior clubs may affiliate to the B A of E under one fee not as individuals.

The cost of £1 for public liability £102 for 12 months insurance constitutes fairly cheap subs.

The junior club in Brixton is now sending players on to senior clubs.

Perhaps juniors should not enter senior clubs as members until they are capable of full participation at that club’s level.

It is sometimes difficult for children to play in the League because they have to go to school the next day and some matches are played in the middle of the week and do not end until fairly late in the evening.

There appears to be more enthusiasm in rural areas, possibly because there are fewer amenities and distractions than in city.

Juniors should be taught to play properly and they will hopefully join a senior club.

All clubs should have at least one coach.

Help is available with funding.

The next coaching course will be held in Exeter in September at a cost of £55 per participant. However if there are enough volunteers then a course could be held in Plymouth.

National curriculum states that there should be one hour of physical education and two hours games per week.

Currently of the 18 secondary schools in Plymouth, there are two specialised sports schools (Plymstock and Sir John Hunt) and the Council works with all the schools trying to encourage all sport.

Possibly a list of children who would like to progress further in the sport could be made available.

There are very few qualified coaches in Plymouth, and most clubs cannot afford to support a coach or subsidise qualification of a course for a coach.

Reports and tables sent regularly to local press by e-mail, but are not printed, and the newspaper claims that results have not been submitted.

SD felt that up to 60 children from each secondary school is interested in playing badminton.

List of clubs in the area to be submitted to all schools.

List of registered coaches in Devon and Cornwall area be made available.

Coaching course in Plymouth area needed.

Contact all clubs and urge volunteers to enrol for coaching course.

University has about 120 members, but shortage of lady players makes it difficult to fulfil team commitments.

Diverse standard of play at University club from beginners to county standard.

Coaching at University would filter through to the whole country when players leave and move on.

JD is a qualified coach, but needs more time at club evenings to bring on new players as remainder of club players want to maintain club standard.

Communication is the key to encouragement of youngsters.

Recruitment drive pushing the coaching aspect – create interest.

Coaching course lasts nine hours minimum number of applicants is 6.

CS to approach clubs and find a venue for coaching session.

SD will cover cost of hall for coaching day.

Communication network now in place.

Details to be placed on website.

These points were raised throughout the evening and it was agreed that it had been a useful and constructive meeting. A second meeting was provisionally booked for Tuesday 7^th June at 7.30 pm in St Matthias Church Hall.

Post meeting note: The booking of the hall for the 7^th June has been confirmed.

Home

	Not many youngsters are made to feel welcome in clubs.
	What is the best way to encourage them? Ideas were invited.
	Torpoint had written to schools inviting junior players to their club. This had resulted in an initial participation by junior players but their enthusiasm dwindled and their attendance eventually ceased.
	One recommendation would be for juniors to spend the first hour playing in pairs supervised by a coach.
	If all clubs are prepared to accept junior players as club members, eventually the players would filter through to the League.
	Enthusiasm for all clubs to encourage junior players should be emphasised at the AGM.
	If each club had a qualified coach then this may encourage juniors into clubs.
	If each club adds the support of juniors to their constitution, then encouragement of juniors will automatically follow.
	Junior clubs may affiliate to the B A of E under one fee not as individuals.
	The cost of £1 for public liability £102 for 12 months insurance constitutes fairly cheap subs.
	The junior club in Brixton is now sending players on to senior clubs.
	Perhaps juniors should not enter senior clubs as members until they are capable of full participation at that club’s level.
	It is sometimes difficult for children to play in the League because they have to go to school the next day and some matches are played in the middle of the week and do not end until fairly late in the evening.
	There appears to be more enthusiasm in rural areas, possibly because there are fewer amenities and distractions than in city.
	Juniors should be taught to play properly and they will hopefully join a senior club.
	All clubs should have at least one coach.
	Help is available with funding.
	The next coaching course will be held in Exeter in September at a cost of £55 per participant. However if there are enough volunteers then a course could be held in Plymouth.
	National curriculum states that there should be one hour of physical education and two hours games per week.
	Currently of the 18 secondary schools in Plymouth, there are two specialised sports schools (Plymstock and Sir John Hunt) and the Council works with all the schools trying to encourage all sport.
	Possibly a list of children who would like to progress further in the sport could be made available.
	There are very few qualified coaches in Plymouth, and most clubs cannot afford to support a coach or subsidise qualification of a course for a coach.
	Reports and tables sent regularly to local press by e-mail, but are not printed, and the newspaper claims that results have not been submitted.
	SD felt that up to 60 children from each secondary school is interested in playing badminton.
	List of clubs in the area to be submitted to all schools.
	List of registered coaches in Devon and Cornwall area be made available.
	Coaching course in Plymouth area needed.
	Contact all clubs and urge volunteers to enrol for coaching course.
	University has about 120 members, but shortage of lady players makes it difficult to fulfil team commitments.
	Diverse standard of play at University club from beginners to county standard.
	Coaching at University would filter through to the whole country when players leave and move on.
	JD is a qualified coach, but needs more time at club evenings to bring on new players as remainder of club players want to maintain club standard.
	Communication is the key to encouragement of youngsters.
	Recruitment drive pushing the coaching aspect – create interest.
	Coaching course lasts nine hours minimum number of applicants is 6.
	CS to approach clubs and find a venue for coaching session.
	SD will cover cost of hall for coaching day.
	Communication network now in place.
	Details to be placed on website.