For most, Badminton will be viewed as a sport played in sport halls, church halls and community centres up and down Scotland. However, a new initiative driven by Badminton Scotland is trying to expand that view. The purpose of the initiative is to show that Badminton can be played in more diverse locations, including iconic sites throughout Scotland.
Through a new outdoor badminton initiative “AirBadminton”, Badminton Scotland is looking to create new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play the sport, outside, on hard ground or grass and even sand surfaces. Potentially, this is something which could be very welcome to both regular Badminton players, returners and beginners with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place.
What is AirBadminton?
AirBadminton is a new project designed to open the sport of Badminton up to those looking to play outdoors, on varied playing surfaces, such as in park and playgrounds. Even some of Scotland’s glorious sandy beaches can provide a backdrop.
Malou Guldbæk, Marketing Executive at Badminton Scotland said;
“The main purpose of the Airbadminton campaign was to do something new. Taking an otherwise indoor sport and moving it outside."
"We wanted to provide people with an opportunity to remain connected with the sport throughout lockdown and a way to keep people active.”
Given that most people will first experience badminton in an indoor environment, the aim was to make it easier for everyone to access the sport through the new outdoor game and through the introduction of a new specially designed shuttlecock – the AirShuttle.
“We wanted to put the focus on community and provide people with the resources to create something social in their local communities during the periods of isolation.” added Malou.
Badminton is a great way for people to keep in touch in a socially distanced way and remain active, with an hour of playing Badminton said to burn up to 450 calories. Great exercise while encouraging and developing speed, endurance, strength and agility.
How to play
AirBadminton is fundamentally like indoor badminton. However, there are several differences between the two games that affect players’ strategies, gameplay and techniques. AirBadminton can be played in singles, doubles and triples. However, in triples, players are not allowed to hit two consecutive returns.
For AirBadminton the Badminton World Federation (BWF) recommended a scoring system that is the best of five games to eleven points. However, other systems may be used to suit.
Looking forward
AirBadminton is a project that Badminton Scotland is looking to continue for years to come, as well as promoting it within Schools as an outdoor PE session.
Badminton Scotland is also working on other campaigns to compliment AirBadminton. These include the “#BaddersAtHome” project which will focus on giving participants exercises that can help develop their skills at home, no matter their age or playing ability. There is also a similar tailored programme for the elderly, which will be offered to Care Homes throughout the country. Malou added that this community element is very important for the organisation;
“What we want to focus on is the Scottish Badminton Community. We want to support them as much as possible during these times as well as in the future.”
Find out more
About Badminton on Sport First
About Badminton Scotland
About AirBadminton
