The Shuttle Time Schools Programme has grown by leaps and bounds since its launch eight years ago in 2012.
BWF’s flagship programme, initiated to lay the foundation for badminton to reach more corners of the globe through youth participation, has now touched another milestone.
Last week, the programme surpassed 50,000 trained teachers worldwide – 56% male and 44% female – across 156 countries, gifting the sport a major win going into the new decade.
The current tally of teachers is at 50,310.
Already, there are 137 countries across five Continental Confederations who have implemented the programme successfully and the recent introduction of Dutch and Portuguese to the resource material has taken Shuttle Time language versions up to 20.
The appeal of the initiative can also be seen in the increasing number of Shuttle Time video viewers on YouTube, which stands at 3,112,452. App downloads have also crossed the 25,000 mark while registration has reached 18,700.
The quantifying of the programme’s wide impact shows BWF’s goal of keeping the sport relevant among the next generation remains very much on track.
BWF Development & Sport For All Committee Chair David Cabello said: “This has been our flagship programme for the last eight years and the latest numbers only go to show the success it has attained in maintaining badminton’s global pull.
“It gives us confidence that Shuttle Time will continue to make major forward strides and give birth to a whole new generation of badminton enthusiasts, and perhaps, elite talents.”
Shuttle Time offers teachers access to free resources, training and equipment, which aid the teaching of enjoyable, safe and inclusive badminton activities to children aged 5-15 years old.
The lesson plans are designed to provide youngsters a positive image of sport through creating opportunities to have fun, engage with others, and experience success.
Visit the Shuttle Time website for details on the programme.
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