For some students, school is where their experience with sport begins.

Through the School Sport Victoria inter-school sport program, students can try different sports, represent their school and compete against students from across Victoria.

For School Sport Victoria CEO Rayoni Nelson, providing those opportunities is an important part of school sport.

“It’s a really good opportunity for students to play sports that they might not have played before and to be part of their school team and play against students from other schools across Victoria,” Nelson said.

Beyond competition, Nelson highlighted the wider role school sport can play in encouraging physical activity and keeping students engaged with their education and school community.

“School sport brings so many benefits for students. It really supports regular participation in physical activity,” she said.

“It provides those important opportunities for students to come together, to show leadership, to play different sports and connect with their schoolmates as well.”

For badminton, that can mean introducing the sport to students who have never picked up a racquet before. Nelson said offering a range of sports allows students to discover something new or represent their school in a sport they already enjoy.

Creating access through school

At Keysborough College, Peter Wagner sees the importance of those opportunities firsthand.

“Our students at Keysborough don’t play sport outside of school, so what we offer them at school is pretty much the only sport that they do,” Wagner said.

The interest in badminton is clear. When Wagner offers free play after school, around 70 students can fill the school’s eight courts.

“It’s a great sport, and kids are really invested in it,” he said.  

At Mernda Hills Christian College, Mark sees another side to badminton’s appeal.

“Badminton is a very good sport for those people who might not be super tall or super strong,” he said. “It’s a skills game, so they can all learn the skill.”

Some students train with coaches while others prepare at school, with Mark noting their focus and improvement leading into competition.

For Nelson, providing a variety of sporting opportunities means students have the chance to find an activity that interests them.

For those experiencing badminton for the first time through school, it could also be the start of something they choose to continue beyond the classroom.

Rayoni Nelson: CEO at School Sport Victoria