Written by Hans Sørensen.
Does money and lack of innovation destroy Danish badminton?
Imagine if I ever had to write this, it actually shakes me!
Danish badminton is known in the big world as the country with its only 5 – 6 million people who continue to create new top players year after year.
The clubs are the backdrop for this adventure. Over time, many well-functioning clubs have developed top players who are sent on to Brøndby, who then complete the work.
As in all other things in society, it is the top of the pyramid that sets the standard. Runs the best in front and inspires the surroundings, so the vast majority follow suit, everyone is happy.
If this is not the case, then it is only a matter of time before challenges arise that are difficult to solve.
Badminton Denmark has chosen to take care of the elite and leave the breadth – the development of the breadth, training of coaches and leaders for DGI.
The change of chairman… .and what has happened?
Tore Wilhelmsen, chairman of Badminton Denmark, promised in his declaration of accession that Badminton Denmark would be able to feel his imprint shortly after his accession.
What is it, I would like to know?
Tore Wilhelmsen also chose to take over the elite after Carsten Werge resigned shortly before Christmas – so I assume he follows the elite on a daily basis. I would like to know how he thinks it is going, especially after the Brøndby center’s players recently responded to the periodic satisfaction survey.
I think there is reason to ask questions about the following:
Our best player lives in Dubai, and when Jens Maibom tells the board that the case around VA has landed sensibly, I do not agree. VA has shown that he is Denmark’s most professional badminton player and is the inspiration for the next generation of men’s singles players. I think one should treat VA with respect and of course VA must stand up in Denmark to what the association may wish. I have no imagination to imagine VA does not want this! Now use VA as a role model for all Danish single players both now and in the future, it deserves the next generation.
VA then wins BT’s gold and is called up by Crown Prince Frederik as winner of this year’s sports name, it should be a wake up call to get this resolved asap!
The other 4 rows? I see opportunities, but right now and until the next Olympics in Paris, miracles are needed to succeed.
Tune IF sports club of the year
Where does the journey begin? It starts, of course, in the clubs – and how are they doing? The clubs have the challenge of lacking leaders and coaches. Parental influence has never been greater for better or worse.
Is it fun to play badminton ???
Yes it is a fantastic sport. We can play together young and old, boys and girls.
Playing with the shuttlecock is an exercise we must never forget.
In the past, there were some leaders and coaches often in the same person who had the heart in their way of developing the club.
Coaches today are in short supply, and especially skilled coaches do not hang on the trees, why I do not actually know. But since there is a shortage of coaches, the coaches often go to the club that pays the most. The money wins over the work of being a place that has far more interesting players but pays less.
Tune IF was chosen as the sports club of the year – from Tune came one of the most talented badminton players of all time namely Anders Nielsen – a product of the game with the badminton ball and fast racket guidance – he won everything as a junior, but did not manage to become a top player as a senior when he unfortunately did not get the partners who could develop him.
Do we believe in the current development in the clubs today that there will be a new Anders Nielsen from Tune again – I doubt it!
We need to train leaders and coaches who are inspired by the teachers on the courses who know badminton inside and out – at the same time as club virtues such as playing team matches, playing circuit and Danish championships, so that the club can gain experience in the work that being performed daily.
Badminton Denmark or Badminton From anywhere?
Then the next step – the players get better – other clubs open their eyes to them, so now the young people are offered money to change clubs.
Today it is possible to represent a club from Jutland and live / train in Copenhagen. It’s not healthy, neither for the clubs nor the players – however, the players can enjoy the money!
Badminton Denmark has the power over the Brøndby training – BD can lay down the guidelines for who should come and who should go.
The prerequisites for this must, in my opinion, be that it is a requirement that all players represent a Danish club, and at the same time must have their way in the club. If the player does not want it, then the player can not be at the Brøndby training! If we buy into this, then the training in the clubs around Denmark will sooner or later be history. The players do not come to the training because it is uninteresting – the only reason they may come will be when they receive money to play in the club.
DBU has the model
Badminton Denmark should make demands on the league clubs and the 1st division clubs that there must be a youth department / academy in the club – call it a copy of DBU thinking.
If they do not have it, then they can not play in the league or in 1 division.
If we do not do that, we will depopulate one badminton club after another – just look at the outlying areas now!
The team tournament in Denmark – has the league killed itself?
Should the Danish champion for teams be found in 1 division with 13 matches played by Danish clubs with Danish players?
If you want a league, then they can play a cup tournament – but you do not become Danish champion with a team consisting of 2 Danes and for example 7 foreigners.
It makes no sense. It does not benefit Danish badminton.
My hope is that the board of Badminton Denmark will get the joy back in the clubs as soon as possible by making initiatives that strengthen the club work and increase cooperation with our best players, including the Brøndby training.
Hans Sørensen
Former badminton coach at all levels!
