Shuttle Smash is an introductory program for children to experience badminton in a fun, inclusive environment delivered by anyone, anywhere, anytime. The focus of the program is to teach children badminton and develop children’s fundamental movement skills including co-ordination, flexibility, strength, balance and fine motor skills.

More than 700 participants have picked up a racquet and joined badminton courts around the country, as part of Badminton Australia’s (BA) new entry level program, Shuttle Smash.

Following a commitment to the growth of badminton in Australia, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) awarded BA a $450,000 grant to develop, pilot, and launch a new national badminton program.

The program, aimed at 5 – 12-year-olds, has a focus on developing fundamental movement skills, improving physical literacy, and giving young Australian’s the ability to lead an active life.

Commenting on the success of the program in its infancy, Badminton Australia CEO Jamie Parsons was excited about the potential of the program.

“Without funding from Australian Sports Commission, developing a program like Shuttle Smash would simply not be possible,” Parsons said.

“It will be an important addition to the foundation of our high-performance pathway, introducing young Australians to our sport. But more importantly, it provides a fun and enjoyable introduction to physical literacy through badminton.”

In recent months the program has piloted in all states and territories to assist in the preparation of resources to ensure successful delivery of the Shuttle Smash program. Badminton Clubs, Sporting Venues and other organisations can register as providers and have access to a wide range of operational, promotional, and other resources.

“Shuttle Smash has been developed to be delivered outside of school hours, complementing our already successful Sporting Schools program, Shuttle Time” Parsons said.

Due to the grant funding from Australian Sports Commission, seed funding has already helped various diverse groups, including those from rural communities, women and girls, people with a disability, lower socio-economic communities, and recent migrants access the exciting new program.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins OAM, supports the program and highlighted the importance of funding new programs like Shuttle Smash.

“The launch of Shuttle Smash will help children across the country connect with Badminton in a fun and safe environment.”

“The ASC’s Participation Grant Program allows sports to invest in innovative new programs to bring communities together and help more Australians enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits that sport provides.” Perkins commented.

“This program caters for people of all abilities and backgrounds and it’s critical we continue to ensure sport has a place for everyone in Australia.”

Badminton Australia National Participation Manager, Clare Walker, said that Shuttle Smash has a strong emphasis on fun and inclusivity, and that the success of the program to date has been due to collaboration with program partners, including Disability Sport Australia, Women Sport Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, The Nahri Institute, National Indigenous Sports Foundation, and industry partners, Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Oceania.

The roll out of the program has also been supported by all state and territory partners including Badminton Victoria, New South Wales Badminton, South Australian Badminton Association, Badminton Tasmania, Badminton Association Western Australia, Badminton Northern Territory, Badminton ACT and Queensland Badminton Association.

Badminton Australia will host two events in the next week, where Badminton Clubs, Sporting Venues and Organisations can find out more about how to become a Shuttle Smash provider and what is involved.

A live launch will take place on Friday 18th November as part of the Sathio Group Australian Badminton Open 2022, including a demonstration Shuttle Smash session. REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE.

This will be followed by an interactive virtual launch on Monday 21st November, 7:00 – 8:30pm to go over the program in more detail REGISTER HERE.

For more information, please contact:
Jamie Parsons
Badminton Australia CEO
Jamie.parsons@badminton.org.au

Clare Walker
National Participation Manager
Clare.walker@badminton.org.au