One of the largest functions of badminton is that it is really a sport for everyone. Partners in the sport of badminton Recognized this important characteristic in New Zealand.
Starting in May 2025 and ending at the end of July 2025, an inclusive badminton program, with the help of shuttle time training and resources, organized in North Harbor, Auckland by Badminton North Harbor, Badminton Oceania And Special Olympics New -Zeeland. The program provided people with intellectual and developmental disorders, eight and older, as well as their friends, brothers and sisters and guardians. The national coordinators involved were Tracey Hallam, Sam Kreutzer and Glenn Cox.
How it started
Badminton Oceania and Badminton North Harbor had a first special Olympic badminton ‘Have-a-go’ day in Badminton North Harbor in March 2025. This was used as an opportunity to test the interest of the participants, who had been proven that 20 people came to play.
After the have-a-go day, plans were made by Badminton North Harbor and Badminton Oceania to deliver a 10-week shuttle time program for people with intellectual and developmental disorders.
Badminton North Harbor then followed a shuttle service teachers with different people who were interested in volunteering at the inclusive badminton sessions where three new volunteers were confused.
Involve the community
The first inclusive badminton session was held on 24 May 2025 in Active Badminton Center, where the program lasts 10 weeks at 26 July. Every Saturday it was delivered every Saturday at three courts with 14 – 22 participants per week. The sessions are designed to help participants find success in developing their badminton skills at the level that is suitable for them – a focus on individual improvement.
To achieve this goal, the participants were often split into two groups. A for players with a badminton experience who could play rallies and double Badminton, and one for beginners who would be presented in Badminton for the first time.
The shuttle -time content was well used in these sessions, and the proposed variations to change activities based on skill level were very useful.
Towards the end of the program, the participants had made improvements in their badminton skills, built new friendships and enjoyed a sense of performance. The last session ended with a lot of excitement to keep playing badminton in the future, with a bonus of a pizza lunch.
The organizers are planning to continue the inclusive Badminton offer in Badminton North Harbor and grow the number of local inclusive badminton programs for people with intellectual and developmental disorders in new Zeeland.
Enthusiastic response
Shuttle Time teachers Fabian Max and Lynne Dobson were all praise for the program.
Fabian Max: “My wife actually made me aware and passed on my name. She works with people with a disability and knows how much I love the game. For me it was a meaningful time to be able to support people with disabilities to be able to play and enjoy themselves. The teachers of the Shuttle helped me to develop my skills.
Lynne Dobson: “I became involved in the program because I am quite involved in Badminton, and I am aware of the needs of people with disabilities and the few opportunities they have to involve in a sport.
By helping with the shuttle -time sessions it was very worthwhile to see not only the progress that the players made, but also the joy they showed by being involved with something that was a new experience for most of them. Most of them want the sessions to continue regularly. It was absolutely well received by regularly booking the courts and rackets and shuttles that are provided. ”
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