Badminton kids sign up for BP coaching courses

Tuesday 23 March 2004

CALLING ALL SCHOOLS…. IN THE week when BADMINTONscotland named Diana Koleva as their new Junior High Performance Coach, there is another big boost for badminton youngsters in Scotland.

For seven days starting on Monday, Glasgow City Council, North Ayrshire Leisure, sportscotland, BADMINTONscotland and BP are teaming up to run the BP Higher Grade coaching series for schoolchildren in Glasgow and North Ayrshire.

The coaching partnership are offering seven different session where schools could grasp the opportunity for their pupils to be coached in badminton, with special emphasis on strokes and progressive technique. The two-hour long sessions, which start at the National Badminton Academy at Scotstoun on Monday, are designed to provide higher grade pupils with specialist training by Junior National Squad coaches.

The timetable is:
Monday March 22 – National Badminton Academy, Scotstoun
Tuesday March 23 – National Badminton Academy, Scotstoun
Wednesday March 24 – Cockburn Centre, Glasgow
Thursday March 25 – Cockburn Centre, Glasgow
Friday March 26 – Cockburn Centre, Glasgow
Monday March 29 – Magnum Leisure Centre, Irvine
Tuesday March 30 – Magnun Leisure Centre, Irvine
(All sessions are 10am-12noon and 12.30pm-2.30pm EXCEPT for Wednesday 9.30am-11.30am and 12noon –2pm)

The BP Higher Grade Coaching course is part of the BP Tourfest Programme, which is sponsored by BP, who this year contributed £25,000 of support.

The programme is organised by sportscotland in partnership with local authorities and 12
national governing bodies of sport including disability sport. By reaching
communities throughout Scotland it aims to tackle the issue of social
inclusion, while promoting the benefits sport can bring in terms of health and education.

Harry MacMillan, Vice President Government & Public Affairs, BP Scotland, said: “BP has been a long standing supporter of the promotion and development of sporting opportunities for young people throughout Scotland.

“BP TOURFEST is our flagship programme and we are delighted to be working in partnership with sportscotland, the Scottish governing bodies of sport and local authorities.”

Jill O’Neil, sportscotland Youth Development Manager and organiser of the Higher sessions, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Higher Grade pupils to expand their knowledge and gain invaluable practical coaching in line with the Higher PE curriculum and benefit from the vast experience from some of Scotland’s top junior coaches.”

For further information or to take part in one of the courses contact Jill O’Neil or Rob Hardie on 0141 445 1218.