Badminton: Schools carnival is big hit

Nov 27 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

PUPILS from Lanarkshire schools joined more than 3000 others from across Scotland at the annual Bank of Scotland play badminton carnivals.

The event ran alongside last week’s International Championships at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena and provided an opportunity for youngsters to try badminton.

Schools involved included Hamilton’s Glenlee Primary, Uddingston Grammar and Motherwell’s Knowetop Primary.

Those attending the event enjoyed two-hour sessions, taking part in a range of activities and receiving coaching in the basics of the game from expert BADMINTONscotland coaches.

The children also challenged their coaches to a game of badminton, and took part in a fitness challenge, competing to win badminton racquets donated by Yonex and t-shirts and water bottles donated by event sponsors Bank of Scotland.

Russell Hogg, development manager at BADMINTONscotland, said: “We are very pleased to once again have this opportunity to bring badminton to young people. It is really rewarding when you see the children with smiles on their faces.

“I’m optimistic that this carnival will encourage many of the children who take part to get more involved with badminton.”