Head Office

Keith Russell

CEO

As CEO Keith is responsible for the delivery of our strategic plan – ensuring that we communicate effectively with our members, clubs, partners and Badminton players across Scotland. As a contrast, Keith learned to juggle in 1985 and has since taught hundreds of others to do the same.

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Nicky Waterson

Head of Engagement

Coming soon

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Peter Dean

Head Of Events

Peter manages Badminton Scotland’s portfolio of national and international events, including the Scottish Open, all junior and senior National Championships, two Masters Championships and two Disability Championships. Peter became a father last year so claims that at the moment he has no hobbies.

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David Cameron

Business Information Administrator

David is responsible for managing the ‘JustGo’ membership system to provide help and guidance for our members. He also manages PVG applications for Badminton Scotland staff, volunteers and contracted secondary organisations. In addition to this, David manages the admin of our regional performance squads.

Out of the office, you’ll find David mountaineering, climbing or swimming! And to relax, he enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, meeting with his D&D party, writing stories, and of course spending time with his fiancé.

A fun fact about David: He trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, back in 2015

Colleen Walker | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Colleen Walker

Head Of Finance

As Head of Finance, Colleen compiles and analyses financial and business information. She provides strategic advice and help to management. Colleen has been an accountant since leaving school and has worked in a wide range of industries, from small start-ups to global brands.

Lynn Narey | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Lynn Narey

Coaching Engagement Administrator

Lynn oversees and administers all coaching courses within our coaching pathway and also manages our coach register. Lynn has been with us for 16 years.

Out of the office, Lynn enjoys walking and swimming – she once swam with dolphins in Florida!

A fun fact about Lynn (from her colleagues): Lynn such a character and has a wicked sense of humour – she is kind, caring and can make anyone laugh!

Grania Shankley | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Grania Shankley

Marketing Officer

Grania has over 10 years of experience working in various sport, marketing, and communications roles, creating regular, engaging content such as news stories, social media posts, newsletters, case studies and web copy. Her role at Badminton Scotland focuses on showcasing stories from our clubs and community badminton initiatives to inspire others to get involved in our sport at all levels.

Aside from exploring Scotland with her dog (Beef!), you’ll find Grania playing AFL with Greater Glasgow Giants – In 2023, Grania won silver, representing Scotland in the 2023 European Championships in Germany.

A fun fact about Grania: She went shark diving with great whites in Gansbaai, South Africa!

Carolina O’Neill De Sousa E Sa | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Carolina O’Neill de Sousa E Sa

Inclusion Officer

Prior to working at Badminton Scotland, Carolina was the Senior Project Officer at LEAP Sports, and she worked to increase the participation of LGBTIQ+ people in Scottish sport, as well as support clubs, groups, and sport governing bodies to become more inclusive. Carolina will now lead on equality and inclusion at Badminton Scotland, working closely with partners and communities to improve access and reduce barriers, so everyone can participate and enjoy badminton.

Outside of work, Carolina’s hobbies include playing football and tennis, as well as binge watching TV shows. She also loves to travel!

Fun fact about Carolina is that she has visited the most Western point of Europe and the most Southern point of Africa.

Emma High | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Emma High

Competitions Coordinator

Since graduting from the University of Stirling in 2017, Emma has worked within governing bodies for 6 years, prominently within competitions and has experience in running events from grassroots to performance. Her role at Badminton Scotland includes delivering an annual competition plan for social and recreational competitions, as well as Supporting the Head of Events deliver our National Championships and other National/International events. 

Out of the office: Emma hobbies include playing netball with her team, spending time with friends and family and going exploring. 

Fun Fact about Emma: She loves to travel and has visited 33 countries and is currently trying to visit every country in Europe.

Cameron Cummings | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Cameron Cummings

Administration Assistant: Enable/sportscotland Apprenticeship

Cameron has joined our administration team on a part time basis to support us with essential processes which help systems run smoothly. Cameron brings valuable knowledge with IT systems like Microsoft office and Social media.

Out of the office, Cameron loves to play music both on his own and in front of an audience! He also spends his free time playing video games and chess.

Fun fact about Cameron: he has a permanent scar under his right eyebrow!

Performance

Ingo Kindervater | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Ingo Kindervater

Head Coach

Ingo is the Head Coach here at Badminton Scotland. He is responsible for our High Performance Department, from strategic planning with all stakeholders to training delivery in the Senior Squad, as well as working on the long term development of our pathway.

When Ingo’s not putting our players through their paces, Ingo enjoys spending time with his wife and two dogs. He also took on cycling this year and is getting addicted! Ingo also admits to clumsily assisting his wife in her endless DIY projects around the house and is very much enjoying life in Scotland!

A fun fact from Ingo… about Keith Russell: Keith totally got a dog just because of Hugo and Harley – “we take full credit for this”

David Gilmour | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

David Gilmour

Performance Coach

David has played badminton since the age of 7 and has competed at all levels up to senior internationalist gaining 50 caps for Scotland. David recently took on the role of part-time performance coach.

Josh Neil | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Josh Neil

National Junior Performance Network Manager

Josh used to train as a senior national squad athlete before having to take early retirement due to injury. His current role focuses on the growth and development of our performance pathway. He holds an Honors degree in sports coaching and development.

Robert McLean | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Robert McLean

Performance Coordinator

Robert has a background in sport at grassroots level, coaching with Celtic and EK Disability Sports Club. He also has experience in football performance analytics with working knowledge of popular Italian software package Wyscout. Outside of work, Robert loves to spend time with his wife, daughter and dog McNab!

A fun fact about Robert: He scored a goal in a winning effort in an U14 Scottish Cup Final at Tynecastle.

Regional Development Officers

Brian Donaldson | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Brian Donaldson

Regional Development Officer (RDO): Highlands, Islands & Moray

Brian’s role is to work with the people within the Highlands and Islands and Moray that are developing strong, vibrant, aspirational Clubs and Associations, sharing good practice with each other; highlighting local partnerships, structures and links that will excite and challenge coaches, players, parents, teachers, people and partner organisations that are involved in all the levels of our sport.

Brian’s fun fact: It’s only a three letter word but sometimes we need to remind ourselves that sport is always about FUN.

Jack McLean | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Jack McLean

Regional Development Officer (RDO): Glasgow & West

Jack works with, schools, higher education, clubs and local councils around Glasgow and West of Scotland. As an RDO, Jack’s goal is to increase participation, opportunities and pathways for individuals to get involved in badminton from grassroot to competitive level.

Outside of work Jack is a head coach and active player for a senior men’s basketball team!

Fun fact about Jack: He had the opportunity to live in New York for several months, working as a sports coach.

Jane Russell | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Jane Russell

Regional Development Officer (RDO): Tayside, Fife & Central

Jane works with clubs, schools, universities and colleges in Midland area to increase participation. She is passionate about developing grassroots and disability badminton. Jane has captained Scotland at Four Nations tennis events and when her children were young, she played doubles with Judy Murray at Dunfermline Tennis Club!

In her free time, Jane enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, and of course playing sport of all kinds.

A fun fact about Jane: Jane is a volunteer with Guide Dogs and has helped train 5 Guide Dogs and 1 Hearing Dog for the Deaf.

Rita Yuan Gao | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Rita Yuan Gao

Regional Development Officer (RDO): Lothian & Borders

Rita’s role is to engage with badminton clubs, education sector (schools, colleges and universities) and the wider badminton community in the Borders and Lothians area.

Rita is focused on supporting local authorities (Edinburgh City Council, Active West Lothian, Active East Lothian, Active Midlothian and Live Border), helping them link up and work together. To do this, she organises coach education courses, coaching clinics and master classes to support and develop Border and Lothians badminton group. Rita also works closely with her colleagues to develop the badminton resources for schools, colleges, universities and clubs.

Rita has a busy life with work and a young family. In her spare time, she loves to play tennis, golf and go hill walking.

A fun fact about Rita: Before joining Badminton Scotland, Rita was the Swiss Badminton National Head Coach.

Steven Cunningham | Meet The Team | Badminton Scotland

Steven Cunningham

Regional Development Officer (RDO): Aberdeen And Aberdeenshire

Steven’s role is to work with clubs, schools, and communities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to promote participation. He enjoys the role as it is fun and gives him the chance to meet new people and encourage all abilities to try new things. Outside of work you’ll find Steven spending quality time with his wife, two kids and their bearded collie, Cooper.

Steven’s fun fact: I can solve a rubicks’ cube and want to climb Ben Nevis before I’m 40.