Shuttle Time proves to be a smash with schools

Badminton Ireland's Shuttle time for Schools program is quickly proving itself to be a success.

The program, launched in March of this year, already has 70 schools signed up. The aim of Shuttle Time is to help teachers in both primary and secondary schools bring badminton to their students.

This is achieved by giving teachers who participate in the program basic coaching skills, knowledge and resources. They, in turn, will be able to deliver a series of safe, fun and practical sessions to their students and introduce them to the sport of badminton.

A staggering 52% of Badminton Ireland's membership falls into the "school-going" age category of 9-18 years old. Badminton Ireland CEO Richard Vaughan believes programs such as Shuttle Time are critical to giving children and young adults the best possible start in life.

"It gives them encouragement and develops an interest from an early age. The aim, obviously, is to maintain that interest, and build on our Sport for Life campaign.

If we can get more people playing in the schools, Universities and clubs, then I believe we can help people develop and maintain a number of key attributes that will help them live a healthier lifestyle, while playing a sport they can play for a lifetime."

The health benefits of playing badminton have been further lauded recently, following a two year study conducted by the National Badminton Federation of Russia.

The study indicated that badminton can help prevent and even reverse deterioration in eyesight.

BWF, badminton's international governing body, has greeted the news with enthusiasm. They are currently considering taking Russia's "Badminton and Vision" program on-board and promoting it to its affiliated federations.

President of the NBRF and former Russian Vice President, Sergei Shakhrai has called the program a "worldwide project" and "something that's really worth working toward".

The Shuttle Time program is free for all schools affiliated with Badminton Ireland. The course provides free basic badminton training for teachers and access to a wealth of award-winning online resources for the easy delivery of sessions. Badminton Ireland will also provide nets, shuttles and a €350 racquet bag free of charge to all schools involved with Shuttle Time.

For more information please visit www.shuttle-time.com.