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Badminton Academy

Mission Statement

‘For Yeovil College to become a nationally recognised sporting centre of excellence’

Academy aims

Badminton at Yeovil College has for many years been a sport that it has excelled at, winning many competitions within the local area, regionally, and at the National College Championships.
Many players have gone on to represent Somerset, and other counties, at Senior level. The College has also seen many players rise from novice performers to local league standard.
The Badminton Academy has been in existence for 5 years, and caters for all playing standards, providing a highly committed and motivated training environment for all abilities.
The academy aims to help students fulfil sporting potential in conjunction with the demands of academic study.
Many students also gain appropriate coaching and officiating awards whist at college and support the community in a variety of events and competitions.

Academy programme

Students have access to a 12 hour programme which includes technical coaching and preparation, strength and conditioning, competition and appropriate support with regards to medical, nutritional, psychological, lifestyle and performance analysis.
Academy players can book sports therapy and massage on site for a discounted rate. The College has also created appropriate links with Chartered physiotherapists for screening and treatment.

Staffing

James Elkin – Level 2 Badminton Coach (currently studying for Level 3)
Andrew Roda – Strength & Conditioning Coach

Facilities

The Badminton Academy is based in the College Sports Hall, which has 4 courts on a semi sprung floor.
Other facilities include:

8 lane synthetic athletics arena
Weight training gym with extensive free weights, Olympic bars and rubber discs
Dartfish video analysis

Competition opportunities

Players have the opportunity to compete throughout the year in a range of local, regional and national competitions to include:

South West Colleges, leading to National College Championships
Somerset Colleges tournaments
Local Leagues and tournaments

Partners

Yeovil College has a strong partnership with Somerset Badminton Association, and many players have competed for Somerset at Junior and Senior level.
The College has strong links with Badminton England, and British Colleges Sport. It is also represented on the local Badminton Development Group hosted by South Somerset District council.

Academy achievements (since inception in 2003)

College National Championships – Natalie Bailey/ Sian Stump – Silver, Kirstie Allen/ Amy Coombs – Bronze, Nick Dwyer/ Tom Ackland – Bronze, Hayley Wright/ Natalie Bailey – 4th, Laura Newman – 5th.

South West Colleges Winners – Laura Newman, Kirstie Allen/ Amy Coombs, Natalie Bailey/ Laura Newman, Nick Dwyer/ Tom Ackland, Tom Edge/ Ian Denslow

Somerset Colleges Winners – Natalie Bailey, Laura Newman, Kirstie Allen, Tom Edge, Natalie Bailey/ Hollie Wright, Kirstie Allen/ Amy Coombs, Natalie Bailey/ Tom Edge, Laura Newman/Nick Dwyer, Kirstie Allen/ Tom Champion.

Representative Honours:
England Deaf Squad – Kirstie Allen
Somerset Senior Squad – Laura Newman, Kirstie Allen, Natalie Bailey, Tom Champion,
Somerset Junior Squad – Laura Newman, Kirstie Allen, Natalie Bailey, Sian Stump, Amy Coombs, Tom Champion, Nick Dwyer, Tom Ackland,

Link to relevant websites

http://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/
http://www.somersetbadminton.org.uk/

Coach profile – James Elkin

Experienced County Player with over 150 appearances, and now a full time Badminton Coach.
Became a Badminton England Level 2 Coach in 2000 and now one of only 50 coaches nationwide studying for the new UKCC Level 3 Award.
UKCC Coach Tutor and Assessor
Licensed SAQ Trainer
Coach to Somerset Senior Squad, two Somerset Junior Development cells, Cornwall County Junior Squad, Head Coach at South West Training camps, Head Coach at Badminton England Talent ID days for Southern England.

Athlete profiles

Kirstie Allen

Member of England Deaf Squad (debut 2008)
Member of Somerset Senior Squad
2007/08 – won all 3 events at Somerset Colleges Championships
National Colleges finalist in ladies Doubles in 06/07 (3rd) and 07/08 (4th)

Tom Champion

Member of Somerset Senior Squad
2007/08 – Somerset Colleges Mixed Champion

Dave Deane

2007/08 Somerset Under 17 Boys Doubles runner up

Tom Green