Badminton World Federation and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop youth badminton, with Shuttle Time being the primary platform to drive this initiative.
Noting similar objectives of growing the sport among the global youth population, the organisations have agreed to cooperate on key initiatives, including coordinating a well-structured calendar of schools’ badminton events and harmonizing the age groupings and control of participation in various age-group categories and youth competitions.
Other areas covered in the MOU – signed last week in Paris by BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer and ISF President Laurent Petrynka – are the promotion of “Shuttle Time” (BWF’s schools’ badminton programme) implementation worldwide; the development and implementation of a Technical Officials’ Education Programme; the promotion of the BWF-ISF alliance and related activities to both memberships and the public; and the designation of high-profile badminton players as ISF 
badminton ambassadors.
The Technical Officials’ Education Programme will target youth with the aim of ensuring the future participation of youth officials at World Schools Championships and BWF events. Badminton has already been part of three World Schools Championships hosted by ISF (Chinese Taipei – May 2014; Portugal – May 2012; and Bulgaria – May 2010). Additionally, the two parties will ensure all national bodies under its control are able to enter into and conclude cooperation agreements with the relevant national bodies affiliated to the other party, and ensure full compliance in terms of corporate governance structures as well as compliance with the rules and regulations relating to badminton and school sport.
“Schools are the first step in introducing badminton to the youth and this partnership gives us a strong platform to do that. The BWF has put in a lot of effort into developing badminton at the grassroots and this partnership is a part of the overall strategy to popularise badminton in schools,” noted BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer (above; right), citing Shuttle Time’s motto “Giving Every Child a Chance to Play”.
“We are excited about this initiative and look forward to a fruitful relationship.”
His ISF counterpart was equally enthusiastic, stating his organisation is “keen to work with the Shuttle Time programme developed by BWF”.
“Signing the MOU is an important link with the international federation to develop sports through schools and through ISF events. We like working with badminton and the schools system is in the heart of all our efforts to promote sports in schools,” said ISF President Laurent Petrynka (above; left).
Highlighting the benefits of combining their energies and resources, both presidents said a long-term strategy will be implemented to monitor BWF-ISF activities and achievements, with evaluation taking place on a quarterly basis.
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