The Horsham Badminton Association recently delivered a successful Junior Badminton Program as part of the Regional Badminton Revitalisation Program, funded by Sports and Recreation Victoria and supported by Badminton Victoria.

The program was designed to introduce young people to badminton, develop their skills, and provide a fun, inclusive environment where participants could stay active, build confidence, and form new friendships within the local community.

A total of 25 children participated in the program, which was divided into three groups based on skill level: Senior, Intermediate, and Beginner.

The Senior group was led by a qualified coach and consisted of players who already had a strong understanding of badminton. Sessions focused on further developing their skills, techniques, and overall game knowledge.

The Intermediate group included participants who had already learned the basic skills of badminton. These players were continuing to develop their serving and rallying abilities while learning the rules and strategies of the game.

The Beginner group followed an adapted Shuttle Smash program, designed for children with little or no badminton experience. Through fun, game-based activities, participants learned fundamental skills such as serving, rallying, and movement, with many showing significant improvement and confidently rallying by the end of the program. The Senior and Intermediate groups were part of the Junior Badminton Program, providing the next stage of development for players who had progressed from the Shuttle Smash program and were continuing to build their badminton skills and game knowledge.

The program received positive feedback from both participants and parents.

One parent shared, “I send my daughter here so that she can spend less time on devices and be physically active. She has made a lot of friends through the program and looks forward to every Monday when she gets to join the session.”

Other parents also praised the program, highlighting the welcoming environment created by the club and the opportunity for children from different backgrounds to come together through sport. Many expressed their appreciation for local programs that encourage participation, social connection, and healthy lifestyles.

Badminton Victoria would like to thank Horsham Badminton Association President Luke Dunn and Secretary Caitlin Sawyer for their dedication and commitment in delivering the program. Appreciation is also extended to the volunteers whose support helped ensure the success of the sessions.

Through initiatives such as the Regional Badminton Revitalisation Program, local clubs continue to play an important role in growing participation and creating opportunities for young people to enjoy badminton in regional Victoria.

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