For the first time ever, Badminton Denmark will have separate category coaches for all five categories. Anders Kristiansen will henceforth be employed full-time as head coach for the women’s doubles.
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1 January 2025 will not only mark a new year. It will also mark a shift in the priority of the women’s doubles category at the National Elite Training Center (NETC).
Badminton Denmark has long had plans to make an increased investment in the women’s doubles category, and through, among other things, an increased subsidy from Team Denmark, it is now possible to prioritize the women’s doubles category. This means that a training offer can be established at NETC on an equal footing with the other four categories. The new women’s doubles venture will include 8-10 young women’s doubles players – and national team players Maiken Fruergaard and Natasja Anthonisen. At the same time, a new full-time coaching position will be established.
The goal is initially that two or three Danish women’s doubles pairs will be established at the top of European badminton within two years. In the long term, the ambition is – as in the other categories – to develop players who can make their mark on the world stage.
Elite and sports manager in Badminton Denmark, Jens Meibom, welcomes the new venture.
– In the history of Badminton Denmark, we have never before had full-time coaches for each category, and I am really happy and proud that we now have a training setup where all categories have the same conditions. It is an expression of the fact that the elite program is constantly developing, and that we are continuously optimizing our setup at NETC, says Meibom.
Read also: Thomas Stavngaard will be the new Danish head coach
To stand at the head of this venture on a daily basis will be the former national team player Anders Kristiansen, who since January 2023 has been a part-time national coach focusing on the doubles at NETC.
– I am happy to be given this opportunity and I am very motivated by the task ahead. I feel confident that we can create more competitive women’s doubles at European level within the next few years, says the new women’s doubles coach.
With the promotion as head coach for the women’s doubles, it also means a farewell as head coach for Hvidovre Badminton Club. However, he will help with the coaching in Hvidovre’s team matches during the spring.
Read also: Kenneth Jonassen steps down as national coach
In 2025, Hvidovre Badminton Club will lose another coach to Badminton Denmark when Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus starts as men’s singles coach. Jens Meibom is therefore grateful that Hvidovre is once again able to send talented coaches on.
– We are very grateful for Hvidovre’s support for the elite program and their understanding and support for their coaches accepting offers from us. We know that it can be a hassle for the club in the short term to lose a coach, so we would like to thank Hvidovre many times for that. Furthermore, we are pleased that Anders Kristiansen has agreed to take on the task for this new women’s doubles venture. Anders has a huge commitment, and we know that he will work hard to help the ladies succeed, says Jens Meibom.
When Hans-Kristian Vittinghus takes over as men’s singles coach during 2025, Badminton Denmark’s national coaching team will look like this:
- Head national coach: Thomas Stavngaard
- Men’s singles: Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus
- Women’s singles: Rune Ulsing
- Men’s doubles: Thomas Stavngaard
- Women’s doubles: Anders Kristiansen
- Mixed doubles: Jesper Hovgaard
- Center and transition coach: Jonas Lyduch
For questions contact:
Elite and sports manager Jens Meibom: +45 40 27 23 26
