Badminton in Geelong has received a boost with the official opening of the Geelong Badminton Academy in Norlane.
The academy is headed by former Indian international player Naman Bhardwaj, leading a team of six qualified coaches.
Naman has been coaching for seven years and holds Badminton World Federation Level One, Shuttle Time and Shuttle Smash and Para-Badminton Level One coaching certificates.
He was recently selected as the assistant high-performance para-badminton Victorian squad coach and assistant coach for the Badminton Australia junior national development squad.
Still a keen player, Naman was the 2021 Queensland Open mixed doubles champion and runner-up in the singles category.
He said affiliation with Badminton Victoria and Badminton Australia offered Greater Geelong juniors pathways through to elite levels, including Commonwealth Games and Olympics.
Assistant coach Makayla Turner was a Victorian junior squad player for seven years, achieving a national ranking of eight.
“Makayla was a star Geelong junior who has now chosen to give back to the badminton community through coaching and training young players. Makayla is a role model to all the budding female players around the region,” Naman said.
He said the game easily accommodated players of all levels and abilities.
“Badminton is becoming increasingly popular and kids like it because it’s non-contact, indoors and easy to get started.”
He said Geelong Badminton Academy already coached a number of school groups, with students doing well at inter-school competitions.
Adult players also had ample opportunities to take to the badminton court to get fit as well, Naman said.
“There’s a whole range of competition for men, women and mixed, at social and pennant level, including evening competitions,” he said.
“Badminton is great for general fitness because it uses the whole body and is an aerobically good workout.
“Badminton players value the social aspect of the game as well, so, while we’re competitive, it’s always played in a good spirit.”
