Scottish number one Kirsty Gilmour led the women’s national badminton team to a bronze medal at the European Women’s Team Championships in Łódź Poland against the top eight nations.
The team stormed through the qualifying rounds of the competition in December 2023 unbeaten, recording 5-0 victories against Azerbaijan, Slovakia, and Estonia.
The team selection included experienced and established players as well as future young talents who recorded their first international caps.
Top row (left to right): Kirsty Gilmour, Lauren Middleton, Rachel Sugden, Ishbel McCallister and coach David Gilmour.
Bottom row (left to right): Brooke Stalker, Rachel Andrew, Julie MacPherson, Ciara Torrance. Eleanor O’Donnell (retired after qualifying).
Support contributing to medal success
The Scottish women’s badminton team received year-round support from sportscotland institute of sport (SIS) staff and players have regular access to strength and conditioning, psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition, physiology and more.
In 2023-24, 639 Scottish athletes received support from sportscotland institute of sport. Badminton Scotland currently have 21 players on the support programme and one of those players, Kirsty Gilmour has experienced the sport at the highest level, including World Championships, The Commonwealth Games and The Olympics.
Kirsty said: “The team championships are such a nice environment and we’re so well supported across all elements of high performance from the institute and sportscotland and it makes my job really easy.”
She added: “I really trust the information and clearly when we get outcomes like this it’s correct and speaks to the quality of the programme. I’ve been supported by the institute for so long and I’ve really seen that support grow and this is by far the most in depth and meticulous that our programmes and support have ever been.”
Senior Physical preparation Coach, Darren Hide and Performance Physiologist, Murray Sheath form a key part of the day-to-day SIS support team for the Scottish women’s badminton team. The relationship between the players and SIS allows athletes to remain consistent.
Kirsty said:
“Working with Darren gives you such a base and foundation for the on-court aspect of the performance.
"None of us are weightlifters but we’re strong and robust and that helps us stay uninjured so we’re not losing court or training days. Thought and forward planning goes into our programmes and really aids in that strong year-round performance and that’s been a huge part of the longevity of my career.”
Darren said: “We use the information we capture in the background and work closely with the coaches to manage training. We also engage the athlete within that journey as they know their bodies better than anyone so it’s making sure they’re involved and part of hitting their milestones and moving in the right direction.”
Focusing on the pathway
The success of the 2023 European bronze medal reflects the impact the SIS support is having throughout the performance pathway.
Darren said: “The management and logistics of each player is important in the lead up to a tournament. Some of the younger players are at the start of their badminton journey which means naturally their physical qualities will be lower, so the benefit of support is they’re getting supervision and coaching on a weekly basis to improve their movement skills, strength, and power, which will help them when they move further ahead in their journey.”
Murray Sheath, SIS, Physiologist said: “My role within the team is to understand the individual demands and requirements. Within the women’s team we have a range of players at different stages in their career, so there are different priorities, school, college, university, work, tournaments, and mental health are all things I need to consider so that each athlete can push the boundaries and excel at the top level.”
Brooke who began the support programme in May 2023 and earned her first cap at the championships said:
“I didn’t know how it would be coming into the programme, but everyone’s been great, looking after me and the younger ones more because we’re so new to it. Every day we put in our loadings so when I had exams Murray can tell the Badminton Scotland coaches to tailor my training, so I don’t get injured or do too much.”
She added: “We all get the same amount of support and as a junior to have that level of support is great and it just helps the team. Going on the trip and having someone with Kirsty’s experience was great. We were one team.”
“Badminton is a big part of my life and it’s always been part of the family. My uncle Russell got a bronze in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, so my first cap was special. I’ve been part of Badminton Scotland’s national set up since I was eight so it’s good to finally see something come of that after so many junior caps it was a great feeling.”
Kirsty said: “So much goes into the individual performances but also into the team performance. With the access that I have I am quite well versed on the prep that goes into a tournament.
"The European Women’s Team Championships brings me at 30 together with Brooke at 17 and there can be a transfer and crossover of information there.”
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