As part of ongoing revitalisation programs funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association hosted a successful badminton umpiring course on 23 August 2025. The program included a face-to-face training session, providing participants with the opportunity to build their officiating skills and work towards official umpiring accreditation.

The course attracted a total of 13 participants, including one from metropolitan Victoria and 12 from regional areas such as Bendigo, Ballarat, and surrounding communities, with the majority being women. These figures highlight the growing interest in badminton across regional Victoria, as well as participants’ dedication to enhancing their officiating skills, which is vital for the sport’s continued development. There were 4 juniors under 13 among the participants, which reflects the increasing interest in badminton within the younger generations. According to data from the Australian Sports Commission (2025), badminton ranks as the seventh most popular sport among children aged 15–17, with a total of 75,000 participants nationally in 2024. These participation levels demonstrate the sport’s growing popularity among young people and its potential to cultivate the next generation of umpire officials.

The next step of the program will include practical assessments, giving participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and further develop their skills. Successful officials can progress from local and regional competitions to national events and, in some cases, reach the international stage. This pathway reflects the increasing professionalism of badminton and provides clear development opportunities for those pursuing technical officiating roles.

Congratulations to all participants on their achievements. Your dedication is helping to build a strong foundation of accredited umpires across Victoria.

Badminton Victoria sincerely thanks the Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association (BEBA) and Badminton Victoria Technical Officials Committee for their support in hosting the course and providing facilities. Special thanks also go to Sam Daykin, President and Shaye Threlfall, Secretary of Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association, for facilitating the program, which contributed to its smooth and effective delivery.

This program is supported by Sport and Recreation Victoria through the Regional Badminton Revitalisation Program.