South Leicestershire Junior Badminton Club

Club times: Fridays 4:30-5:30pm (8-14yrs) 5:30-7pm (8-17yrs)

Contact: Ray Phipkin

Mobile: 07582195940

Venue: Broughton Astley Leisure Centre

Website: http://www.southleicesterbadminton.co.uk/login

2024-2025 Activities:

The venue at Broughton Astley Leisure Centre allows the club to run sessions throughout all 38 weeks of the school year, covering the Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms.

The weekly Friday club night sessions now take place from 5:00pm – 6:30pm and 6:30pm – 8:00pm. All players are registered with Badminton England, including 16 Junior Community Club Members (aged 5-11), 36 Junior Community Club Members (aged 12-18), 2 Junior Compete Members (aged 5-11), and 2 Junior Compete Members (aged 12-18), who regularly attend the weekly sessions.

The club has operated a waiting list for both sessions, with 15 players currently waiting for the first session and 2 players for the second session. For the 2025/26 season, five players from the earlier waiting list have accepted an invitation to join the club from 29th August 2025. The club is planning to introduce a 4:00pm – 5:00pm session, allowing all players on the waiting list the opportunity to join while maintaining the later session waiting lists.

For the 2024/25 season, all members and volunteers receive a free club T-shirt and hoodie upon joining. As part of a Badminton England trial project, 12 younger members are participating in the Shuttle Stars programme.

The sixth internal club tournament events will be held during Spring Term 4 to avoid disrupting older players’ exams. This ensures all events take place, including Girls’ & Boys’ Singles and Level Doubles competitions for U10s (excluding Girls’ Singles and Doubles), U12s (excluding Girls’ Doubles), U14s, U16s, and U18s.

A total of 52 trophies will be awarded to winners and runners-up at the club’s trophy presentation night, scheduled for 4th July 2025. Additionally, the Outstanding Club Member trophy for 2025 and the Outstanding Session Player trophies for the 5:00pm – 6:30pm and 6:30pm – 8:00pm sessions will be presented.

Three junior club players attended the Badminton England Young Leaders Academy. The club has supported members in achieving their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards, covering both the physical and volunteer elements at all levels. Additionally, the club has assisted members with video recordings required for their Badminton PE GCSE.

The club now has three Badminton England coaches, who tailor the structured programme each week to suit players’ technical and tactical badminton skills on the respective courts.

To develop junior members to a suitable playing standard, the Adult Club entered a Men’s III team in Division 6 of the LBA League, where adult players partnered with junior players.

The dedication, commitment, and support of parents, volunteers, coaches, and—most importantly—the players continue to drive the club’s growth at its new venue.

The club continues to receive renewed accreditation as a Badminton England Premier Club and a Sport England Clubmark organisation.

The club was featured by Badminton England at their Club & Coach Conference – Safeguarding & Welcoming Environments Workshop. You can find more details on the Latest News section of the club’s website: South Leicestershire Badminton.

Ray Phipkin – Head Coach