Blackpool Junior Badminton Membership has been heralded as an inspiration after celebrating its thirtieth anniversary final summer season.
Amelia Parker, 17, has been taking part in in Blackpool for greater than 5 years, gaining county degree standing for Lancashire and falling in love with the game of racquet within the course of.
The membership marked three many years of neighborhood work in July by holding a mini-tournament with household and buddies on the Blackpool Sports activities Middle, culminating in head coach David Greer receiving a personally signed shirt from a number of Badminton England nationwide gamers.
And Parker expressed her gratitude to the membership and everybody concerned for giving her important confidence and management abilities each on and off the badminton court docket throughout her teenage years.
“It’s extremely rewarding,” she stated. “You’re feeling good while you play and it is a good social side.
“I’ve made new buddies and met new folks throughout Lancashire and it has undoubtedly boosted my confidence.
“After I was youthful I used to be fairly shy, however now I’m a really assured individual due to the membership.
“It has additionally helped me outdoors of badminton as I assist out at open occasions on the college and I get pleasure from giving folks excursions.
“I am usually a extra assured individual now. I would really say I am fairly a frontrunner. ”
Impressed by Greer’s management, Parker has since branched out into teaching herself and revealed her ambition to present younger kids the arrogance and sporting abilities she constructed throughout her time on the membership.
“Dave steered I do my Stage One teaching, which I by no means thought I’d do, and now I am serving to him with some periods,” she stated.
“On the finish of the warm-up we do some stretch that I assist lead after which we do some workouts.
“I reveal and compete towards small teams or stroll round to verify they’re doing it proper.
“I actually get pleasure from seeing how the younger gamers are growing and getting higher each week. I like going there as a result of all the kids have enjoyable and play collectively.
“Dave and our different coach Lee [Meakin] are very inspiring and at all times prepared to assist kids.”
Parker admitted that the Blackpool Junior Badminton Membership has fueled a want to play the game for all times, believing she has really discovered a second household on the badminton court docket.
“It is a very pleasant setting and it appears like we’re all one large household,” she stated.
“I do know Dave and Lee are at all times there for me and I attempt to be there for the children I coach.
“I undoubtedly wish to do my degree two teaching and I see myself taking part in badminton for a very long time sooner or later, if not aggressive then at all times socially.”
