Team BC Badminton Completes First Training Camp
Vancouver, BC – Team BC Badminton completed its official first training camp in preparation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Each of the ten athletes that comprise Team BC Badminton trains around twenty hours a week at their own club. While this is rigorous enough training for most elite athletes, the province is looking to give the rising stars a competitive edge against other players. “Through the Team BC program, we can provide these young athletes the tools and experience they need to take gold at the Games this February. This is the next generation of National Team members, and we are excited to see their victory on home turf,“ says Penny Gardner, Executive Director of Badminton BC.
Over the course of two days, the athletes were exposed to rigorous physical and mental training from Team BC Badminton Coach Abdul Shaikh and Fortius Sport & Health’s Sarah Manson and Carl Nienhuis.
Manson, an experienced strength and conditioning coach, provided Team BC Badminton with a weekly training plan, individualized warm up, two strength development plans, individualized recovery strategies, and conditioning work. As Manson told the athletes, “The ability to be a top level athlete and have success at the highest level is a multi-disciplinary endeavor. You must be technically and tactically good, mentally strong and physically fit to excel for your sport.”
Nienhuis spoke with Team BC Badminton about key psychological preparation strategies for maximizing their performance at the Games this February. “Given the dynamic chaos of the Games, being intentional and deliberate about their preparation strategies will help them ensure they are ready to compete while fully enjoying their multi-sport games experience.”
Shaikh, an award-winning coach and pioneer of Canada’s badminton community, pushed the athletes during their on court training at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club, and emphasized the importance of teamwork and unity. Sunday’s camp ended with a sharing session led by Shaikh, where each athlete discussed their camp experience and reflected on the rigorous Team BC training program.
“Training together as a team was a great experience.” said athlete Jodi Fei. “I am very excited to be
competing for Team BC alongside my amazing teammates!”
Teammate Alex Lin recognized the unique benefits the athletes gained at their first training camp. “Being part of Team BC provides us athletes with resources that would usually be difficult to acquire. The physical and mental workshops taught important strategies and techniques that I will not only take with me onto the court, but also everyday life.”
Team BC Badminton will have its next training camp on January 30, 2015.
About Badminton BC
Badminton BC is the governing body for all coach, athlete, official, and volunteer development opportunities for the sport of badminton within BC. For more information, please visit http://www.badmintonbc.com.
About Team BC
Team BC is the group of athletes, coaches and mission staff who represent the Province of British Columbia at Canada’s premier multisport Games – the Canada Winter Games, Canada Summer Games and Western Canada Summer Games. For more information, please visit http://www.teambc.org.
Media Contact:
Tegan Verheul
778 882 8347
publicrelations@badmintonbc.com