The BASE build continues across Lanarkshire!

The Badminton Academy Social Enterprise (BASE) was setup with the aim of  bringing people and communities together through a shared interest in badminton. With this in mind, the team at BASE are continuing to grow community club opportunities across Lanarkshire. After delivering a successful schools programme with over 50 primary schools in South Lanarkshire receiving taster sessions, BASE were keen to capitalise on the buzz created from these sessions.

Jill Smith, Director of Coaching at BASE:

‘‘Due to a personal love of the game and an interest in coaching I decided to promote the fact that we want to offer badminton in our local areas.

The taster sessions were simply to give kids (and teachers) an insight into how easy it is to get started. The enthusiasm from the kids has been so encouraging and I am personally delighted when I see teachers getting involved and looking at setting up opportunities in schools.

I love working with the kids, seeing them both improve and enjoying the social experience they are getting within the clubs.

It is certainly my hope that more schools will participate in our sport and the clubs will see new members looking for fun, development and an enjoyable experience.’’

As of September, the BASE junior club programme which will involve new sessions in East Kilbride and Wishaw includes:

BASE Wishaw

  • Coltness H.S, Wishaw  starts on Tuesday 6th September
  • 18:00 – 19:30 Primary School age
  • 19:30 – 21:00  Secondary School age

BASE Rutherglen

  • Trinity H.S, Rutherglen starts on Wednesday 7th September
  • 17:30 – 18:45 Primary
  • 18:45 – 20:00 Secondary

BASE Lanark

  • Lanark Grammar, Lanark starts on Thursday  8th September
  • 18:00-19:30 Primary School age
  • 19:30-21:00 Secondary School age

BASE East Kilbride

  • Calderglen HS, East Kilbride on Friday 9th September
  • 18:00-19:30 Primary School age
  • 19:30-21:00  Secondary School age

Jill added, ‘’As Base clubs are developing I do hope that these opportunities give more kids ( and adults) the chance to take part in badminton with the added hope that we might also see the next Kirsty coming through one of our clubs.’’

Local community at the heart

Former Scottish Internationalist and current Performance Coach Craig Goddard is looking forward to giving back to local community he grew up in, as he prepares to lead the new session at Calderglen High School in East Kilbride.

‘‘I am looking forward to leading this new session starting in East Kilbride – in the local area I grew up in and hopefully we can inspire as many children to participate and enjoy the sport’’

All junior sessions will cost £5 per session or option to book 6 week block £28.  All above clubs will be led by a qualified coach and assistant coach who will deliver technical coaching and fun games.

Jill added: ‘’When we staged a demonstration in Lanark Grammar featuring Kirsty Gilmour and Danny Robson not only were the kids excited and enthused but the messages of thanks and appreciation that I received from the parents was quite remarkable.’’

Growing opportunities and new partnerships

More recently BASE have been working in partnership with other local adult clubs including Larkhall Avondale Badminton Club and Uddingston Badminton Club to address the growing demand for adult social and recreational club opportunities.  With this in mind, BASE are introducing a new Adult Club session  at Uddingston Sports Centre on Friday evenings 19:00-21:00 commencing on Fri 9th Sept.  This session is aimed at beginners or those who have not played for some time and looking to return to the sport to enjoy some fun and social badminton.

Further to this BASE are looking to introduce a Pre-school session called ‘Kirsty’s Kids’ which will be based at Lanark YMCA , Tuesday mornings involving an adult and pre-school aged children. This aim of these sessions is to provide participants with the opportunity to take part in badminton with the focus on fun and play – further details to be confirmed.

If you are interested in any of the sessions above contact info@baseteam.org or you can visit the BASE website at https://badminton-base.org/

Photo Credit: South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture (SLLC)

 

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