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 want to make an affect off the court docket 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 era of shuttlers to select up a racket.
“My private targets are to enhance the supply of badminton to younger folks and enhance participation,” she stated.
“I’ve carried out a variety of work particularly enhancing feminine participation after I was doing my A-levels. I took on an EPQ, an Prolonged Challenge Qualification, the place I did a giant essay on how the menstrual cycle impacts feminine participation in sport.
“I really feel like I’ve a variety of analysis and expertise now to again up this place that I’m in and I actually wish to push that personally.”
Preston, now finding out 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.
Nonetheless, Preston feels badminton lacks a bridge between the social and aggressive sides of the sport, which might probably postpone newcomers.
“The Discussion board itself advises Badminton England on how they will enhance the participation of younger folks in badminton, as a result of we’ve acquired 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 the whole lot to me.
“The Discussion board is admittedly pushing psychological well being, as a result of clearly and it’s crucial to each era, nevertheless it’s particularly outstanding within the youthful era.
“We’re actually making it okay to speak about your psychological well being and badminton can have so many advantages to your psychological well being – having that sort 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 the whole lot. I stored enjoying badminton throughout each my GCSEs and my A-levels and I plan to throughout my diploma. It’s simply such an amazing launch.”
Preston is one in every of many gamers who have been launched to the sport by means 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 stated. “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 might be some limitations to younger folks, corresponding to price.
“Simply accessing the game is a giant factor, however we’re engaged on it and we’re getting there.”