Badminton

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

The WestVic Academy of Sport: Cason Sports Badminton Program, proudly supported by Cason Sports, will act as the peak badminton program in Western Victoria, and provides a development pathway to State and National representation.

The aim is to provide services to these athletes which they could not otherwise access, therefore completing and complimenting their current coaching, training and competition environments.

The Academy program is Coordinated and Coached by Rhonda Cator (Olympian 1992, 1996, 2000), along with Coaches Andrew Perks (Commonwealth Games 1990) and Brandon Olver (State Coach and former WestVic Badminton program athlete); with other former program members and now high level senior athletes also contributing to the coaching. The program runs from February to December annually.

Badminton Athletes Daniel Hocking (left) & Josh Gay (Right)

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The overarching objective of the WestVic Academy of Sport’s Badminton Program is to implement a program which takes a holistic approach to an athlete’s development. This is achieved through off court activities being the domain of WestVic Academy of Sport; with the on-court technical coaching being controlled and managed by the Ballarat Badminton Assoc.

With an athlete-centred approach, the Academy will provide a program that integrates both the physical and mental aspects of Badminton. To this end, the program delivers a series of off-course activities around sport psychology, nutrition and other personal development; as well as strength & conditioning programs and biomechanical analysis, to further development. To drive this, athletes will have a once weekly session devoted entirely to strength and conditioning, with increased number of sessions in biomechanics; with personal development workshops also increased to have more sport psychology and nutrition; involving both group and individual sessions. Activities may also be delivered at different times and days compared to past (i.e. weekends).
The program also supports Competition participation and performance. To this end, the Academy will provide coaching support to athletes at State Selection tournaments across all age groups where possible.

PROGRAM SELECTION
CRITERIA & PROCESS

The Program is also designed to be a feeder program for state and national teams/programs. The selection criteria are:

Be a financial member of a Badminton Association in the Region.
Be identified as a prospective Badminton high-performer, through regular local/higher competition participation.
- For prospective NEW athletes, playing local “Pennant” Competition shall meet this criteria.
- For prospective RETURNING athletes, playing the mandatory “State Selection” competition shall suffice.
- For ALL prospective athletes, earning State Team Selection the previous year will earn an invite.
Be available and prepared to participate in the following competitions:
- Their age group’s mandatory “State Selection” competition in the year of this program.

The Academy also expects that all athletes in all programs be committed to their sport from both a training/competition and off-surface work perspective. This means applying oneself to demonstrate “High Performance Behaviours” – regular attendance and participation in all activities and respectful and timely communication with officials as required.

To be considered for selection, athletes will need to complete all forms attached to this program outline by Friday December 2 2016. Such applications must be submitted to WestVic Academy of Sport, at the address provided on the paperwork. The agreed selection panel will choose athletes to receive an offer to join the WestVic Badminton Squad. This will be administered by the WestVic Academy which will advise applicants of outcome.

SERVICES INCLUDED

Access to 1 on-court strength and conditioning session specifically for WestVic athletes and devoted to this work.
One Musculoskeletal Screening per year & strength and conditioning programs based on the screen.
Multiple Personal development workshops around Nutrition, Psychology, Drugs in Sport and Elite Sport careers.
Multiple individual Biomechanical analysis per year.
Access to UniSports Swim and Gym membership at a discounted price (added on to membership costs).
Cason Sports (Carlton) equipment at wholesale prices.

COST & FURTHER INFORMATION

Cost = $410 + GST per annum. This cost covers all service provision within the program.

For more information, please contact the Academy’s Office on (03) 5327 9890.