Adult Disability Badminton course
In conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council, Skipton Badminton Club are holding a 6 week taster course from 9th January 2010 on Saturday mornings 10am to 11am for adults with disabilities.
Anyone interested please contact Peter Wilkinson via this forum or 07753 968 662 (coach@skiptonbadmintonclub.org.uk) or Jo Fox 07854 256 504 (jo.fox@northyorks.gov.uk).
Update on the Adult Learning Disability Session
Update from Peter Wilkinson:
Following a very successful 2nd year of the 'Adult Learning Disability Session' with growing numbers, we have seen players improve their playing skills along with their fitness & confidence in the sport. Well done to all & a big thank you to helpers & carers that make it all possible.
We have gained 2 new players this year with physical disabilities (Parkinson's), who have brought an added dimension to the session. And we would all like to say a big 'GET WELL SOON' to David.
Anyone wishing to join the session is very welcome.
As session coach I attended a 2 day Badminton England 'Learning & Physical Disabiliy Coaching Course' run at York University last month. Along with 9 other coaches from around the Yorkshire area, we learnt about the diversity in Disability Badminton (DB), for all abilities of both learning & physical disabilities & adding to our skills as coaches with specific coaching skills focusing on Disability Badminton. We all had great fun getting a glimps of how much fun one can have playing wheel chair badminton, whcin was very challenging. I take my hat off to any wheel chair player, it's not easy but great fun.
Anyone wishing to take up badminton with any disability is welcome to come along, 10am - 11am each Saturday morning at Sandylands Sports Centre, Engine Shed Lane, Skipton. Or ring me (Peter Wilkinson) on 07753 968 662.
Adult disability badminton sessions
Up-date by Peter Wilkinson:
Following the 10 week taster course at the beginning of the year 2010, Skipton Badminton Club agreed to support the Saturday morning sessions on a regular basis throughout the year. As I write this, at the end of August 2010, I am pleased to say that this new initiative has been a great success, following the taster sessions and numbers attending have held steady over the spring and summer months. My thanks to Tom Knapp for standing in for me for the past few weeks, whilst I've been away on holiday.
The main thing that has come out of the sessions has been the remarkable progress of all of the players who have attended. Not only has there been an improvement in players badminton ability but the smiles on players faces have steadily grown bigger and wider. The increase in enjoyment has improved players confidence on court and I am seeing players really starting to express their personalities during games.
Although badminton can be a very energetic game, it can also be played at any level of ability or fitness level. Family members, helpers and carers assist the coaching staff to get the best out of the sessions and my continued thanks to all of them for their support. It has been pleasing to see how much carers have got out of the sessions too. For some as a new experience and others as a reminder of what they have missed since playing some time ago.
Coaching concentrates initially on learning the needs of each individual player and setting a simple programme in place to facilitate individual improvements in concentration levels, skill levels, knowledge of the game and even fitness. But above all the main purpose for all of us involved is to have fun and enjoy the sport of badminton.
The start of the 2010/11 season is now upon us and I am looking forward to the new seasons and the exciting challenges for all our players.