Felicity Preston feels fortunate to have been introduced up in badminton – however she is now on a mission to unfold the phrase of the game to these with no prior publicity.
The game is a household affair for Preston, 18, who was raised by her two badminton-loving mother and father in Hereford – and after instantly falling in love with the game, she went on to play at county degree earlier than immersing herself in teaching.
However with a need to make an influence off the courtroom in addition to on it, Preston is the Chair of the Nationwide Youth Voice Discussion board, which brings collectively younger folks aged 13-21 to share their ideas and ensures the voices of younger individuals are heard.
Because the spokesperson for the Discussion board, Preston is in common contact with Badminton England and is raring to extend participation within the sport and encourage the following technology of shuttlers to select up a racket.
“My private targets are to enhance the supply of badminton to younger folks and improve participation,” she mentioned.
“I’ve performed numerous work particularly enhancing feminine participation after I was doing my A-levels. I took on an EPQ, an Prolonged Undertaking Qualification, the place I did a giant essay on how the menstrual cycle impacts feminine participation in sport.
“I really feel like I’ve numerous analysis and expertise now to again up this place that I’m in and I actually need to push that personally.”
Preston, now learning on the College of Birmingham, stresses the truth that badminton means way over competitors and outcomes, believing that there are huge social and psychological advantages available from getting concerned within the sport.
Nevertheless, Preston feels badminton lacks a bridge between the social and aggressive sides of the sport, which may doubtlessly postpone newcomers.
“The Discussion board itself advises Badminton England on how they’ll enhance the participation of younger folks in badminton, as a result of we’ve bought a niche between social and aggressive,” Preston added.
“Badminton is such a useful sport in so some ways. The social connections and the folks I feel actually make badminton all the pieces to me.
“The Discussion board is admittedly pushing psychological well being, as a result of clearly and it’s essential to each technology, however it’s particularly distinguished within the youthful technology.
“We’re actually making it okay to speak about your psychological well being and badminton can have so many advantages on your psychological well being – having that type of social interplay with different folks, in addition to your bodily health and wellbeing.
“I’ve additionally discovered it’s simply so nice to de-stress, particularly as a scholar with exams and all the pieces. I saved taking part in badminton throughout each my GCSEs and my A-levels and I plan to throughout my diploma. It’s simply such an important launch.”
Preston is one in every of many gamers who had been launched to the sport by way of household however she is eager to extend the factors of entry to make sure extra folks can fall in love with the nation’s favorite racket sport.
“I’m very fortunate to have been launched to it from such a younger age,” she mentioned. “All the talents from badminton are so transferable, so it’s useful to so many different sports activities.
“It simply makes you an athlete, actually – however involving different folks is admittedly vital and there could be some boundaries to younger folks, reminiscent of price.
“Simply accessing the game is a giant factor, however we’re engaged on it and we’re getting there.”
