The Bermuda Badminton Association (BBA) and Junior Bermuda Badminton Association successfully hosted the island’s first-ever Primary Badminton Festival on June 5 at the BAA Gymnasium, bringing together students, teachers, coaches, and players for a day of learning and fun.
A total of 75 students from seven primary schools across Bermuda participated in the event, supported by eight coaches. Schools represented included West End Primary, Paget Primary, Port Royal Primary, Mount Saint Agnes Academy (MSA), Bermuda High School (BHS), Somersfield Academy, and Francis Patton Primary School.
The festival was led by Junior National Team coaches Emma Moran-Lee and Aaron Simmons, with assistance from Junior National Team players Ethan Mello, Finn Peters, Aaron Lee, Praroop Srivastava, Kate Pursell, and Sophie McClure.
Designed to introduce young students to badminton, the festival also served as a professional development opportunity for teachers, providing practical ideas and activities they can incorporate into physical education lessons.
The day began with an exciting badminton showcase demonstrating the speed, skill, and athleticism involved in the sport. Bermuda’s top-ranked male player, Aaron Simmons, joined Junior National Team players Finn Peters, Ethan Mello, and Aaron Lee in presenting a high-quality demonstration for the students.
Following the exhibition, participants took part in a badminton-specific warm-up focusing on the essential footwork patterns used in the sport. The exercises were transformed into engaging relay races, allowing students to develop their skills while having fun.
Students then rotated through four coaching stations led by Junior National Team players. The stations focused on key badminton fundamentals, including grip technique, overhead hitting, serving, and footwork.
With the basics covered, the festival concluded with a series of enjoyable team-based activities and games. Students competed in “round the world” matches against the coaches, team round-the-world competitions, and half-court singles rotations, creating an energetic and inclusive atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
Organizers described the event as a tremendous success and expressed enthusiasm about hosting future festivals. They hope initiatives like this will encourage greater participation in badminton and continue to support the growth of the sport across Bermuda.
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