Melton OGs aim to sell badminton to new generation of players

Melton OGs want to strengthen badminton's future by working in schools EMN-180831-160407002

With the new season having started on Monday, the club is keen for badminton to compete with the myriad of sports on offer to pupils.

The OGs have received financial support from Badminton England and Leicester-shire and Rutland Sport for a programme of junior coaching across Melton schools over the winter.

OGs chairman Steve Mitchell said: “With schools offering a very wide range of activities to students it’s hugely important badminton competes and makes access to our game as easy as possible to a new generation of players.

“With great help from Clare Marlow (Schools Sports Development Manager for Melton and Belvoir) we are in the process of putting in place a hugely exciting programme of events ranging from coaching at schools to badminton festivals.

“It’s a great sport, not only from an enjoyment, but also a health point of view.”

The OGs hold weekly club nights for adults on Mondays at Long Field Academy, from 8pm, which in recent years have been preceded by coaching sessions for juniors and intermediate level players.

They will resume from the beginning of October, with junior coaching from 6pm and intermediate coaching at 7pm.

Steve added: “We are very fortunate in having a team of three qualified coaches leading this ambitious programme so parents and teachers alike know the students will be well looked after and taught to play the sport properly.

“To compliment this new initiative, OGs will be extending our existing coaching facilities at the club in advance of the normal Monday night club night. “In effect, what we have created is a seamless transition from raising awareness of our sport in schools, through to playing badminton at adult level.”

For further details of what is available at Old Grammarians, visit the club’s website at www.meltonogbc.co.uk

Alternatively, contact club secretary Christine Stanley on 07909 767659 or email [email protected] or club coach Linda Hallam on 07729 036928 and [email protected] for further information on the club’s plans for the season.