PLAYER DEVELOPMENT 2020 started off strong with a 4-day training camp in Ballarat aligned with the VICTOR Oceania Championships. The camp had 40 players and 8 coaches from 6 Pacific Members. The programme included physical testing, on-court sessions including one led by Australia’s national coach Stuart Brehaut, match play and off-court seminars prior to the start of the tournament.
Following the Ballarat camp other plans for the year changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As players found themselves unable to travel or our staff and experts unable to visit, the development programmes all turned to in-country activations with the aim of getting a high level of training while continuing to develop badminton skills. We initiated projects that would help develop players to a higher level as well as keeping them motivated, utilising internal
and external experts in-country as well as providing virtual assistance from Badminton Oceania staff. An example of the success of these programmes was the introduction of strength and conditioning coaches and experts in several countries across all tiers of the programme. We provided several Members with equipment to enhance and add variety to their programmes, like the penalty box training system, to assist with improving movement skills; again seeing some positive benefits. Through the support and assistance provided to several Members players had an increased frequency of training opportunities with our Coaching and Development Manager working virtually with lead coaches to ensure the programmes were well planned and executed.
Major disruptions to tournaments around the globe had an impact on our planned development programmes. Our Tier 1 and Tier 3 programmes have had goals revised
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