Premier League boost for Badminton

BADMINTON England today joined forces with the greatest football league in the world as it continues to deliver its ambitions to increase participation.

Supported by the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, the project will see BADMINTON England partner with every Premier League football club to offer thousands of young people between age of 11 - 16 years the chance to play badminton.

The initiative, which is being funded by the Government was launched by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club today where young budding badminton players got the chance to hit on court with England international and Tottenham star Jonathon Woodgate and BADMINTON England Ambassador and former Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms.

BADMINTON England Chief Executive, Adrian Christy said: “We are delighted to be involved with this unique and exciting project.

"We all know how big a part football plays in the lives of young people and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to work creatively to ensure more young people get exposed to our sport through their school and for them to join badminton clubs the length and breadth of the country."

The first phase of the project will see links developed between five Premier League clubs - Tottenham, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion - and the schools and selected badminton clubs in their respective catchment areas.