Aberdeenshire host national launch of TOP badminton

Wednesday 11 June 2003

sportscotland, with partners BADMINTONscotland and Aberdeenshire Council, are delighted to be celebrating the national launch of the TOP Sport badminton programme this Thursday. Developed with support from both Activ-8 Badminton and Bank of Scotland, key features of TOP Sport Badminton include:

resource cards
child-friendly equipment
quality training for teachers and deliverers.

Since launching in Scotland in 2000, the sportscotland Lottery Fund has committed nearly £3M to TOP programmes with more than 1,000 primary schools now benefiting from this fun and innovative approach to introducing children to quality PE and sport. Thursday's launch will take place at Laurencekirk Primary School, Aberdeenshire, which has a long standing commitment to providing quality physical education to school children.

Originally developed by the UK-wide charity, the Youth Sport Trust, the TOP programmes consist of two elements. TOP Play introduces young children (4 to 9 years) to the essential core skills such as throwing and catching, running and jumping; while TOP Sport helps to develop the skills of 7 to 12 year olds in specific sports.

BADMINTONscotland will use TOP Sport Badminton as a key resource to introduce the sport to primary aged children and sportscotland are confident it will make a significant impact on both young people's abilities to enjoy sport in general but also badminton participation levels in years to come.

Aberdeenshire Councillor, Richard Stroud, Chair Education and Recreation Committee, said: "Aberdeenshire Council and Active-8 have played a key role in creating TOP Badminton as a resource for Scottish schools and communities. Through the expertise and vision of local coaches the development of TOP Badminton has been achieved in partnership with the Youth Sports Trust and BADMINTONscotland.

"Since the appointment of an Aberdeenshire Badminton Co-ordinator three years ago, the sport has developed greatly to provide quality opportunities for children and adult participation and pathways to progress. TOP Badminton will provide a foundation level opportunity for children in our schools and communities to enjoy the sport, and it will link to our School Sports Co-ordinator Programme and Visiting PE service."

Rob Hardie, Director of Development, BADMINTONscotland, said: "The introduction of badminton into the TOP Sport programme will provide a fantastic opportunity for children across the country to participate in the sport. Consisting of training for teachers, exciting resource cards, and enough equipment to support a Primary School class, BADMINTONscotland are delighted to be committed to this partnership which includes Activ- 8, sportscotland, Youth Sport Trust and Bank of Scotland."

Benny Lawrie, National Development Officer, Youth Sport Trust, said: "TOP programmes give young people a love of physical activity by equipping them with sporting skills that last a lifetime. TOP Sport Badminton is an enjoyable and stimulating addition to the many sports already offered to thousands of Scottish children through the programmes."

Stewart Harris, Director of Widening Opportunities, sportscotland, said: "sportscotland is committed to improving and developing the way sport is delivered in both schools and the community, which is vital in increasing participation, and consequently, quality of life. Achieving this depends greatly on working in partnerships, and especially those partners working together without us and being 'part of the team' of creating greater sporting access for everyone. Today we see the results of this coming together and we congratulate all of our partners for their important contribution."

The launch will take place at Laurencekirk Primary School, Frain Drive, Laurencekirk on Thursday 12 June at 10.30am.
Representatives from sportscotland, BADMINTONscotland and Aberdeenshire Council will be attending.

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Aberdeenshire host national launch of TOP badminton