The Wings Shuttle Smash Junior Program, a flagship initiative of Badminton WA, continues to flourish, offering young players across Western Australia a dynamic and supportive environment to develop their badminton skills. As part of a broader national effort led by Badminton Australia, this grassroots movement is helping to shape the future of the sport across the country.
Over the past year, participation in the Wings Shuttle Smash Program has risen significantly, with over 200+ juniors joining the ranks. This surge reflects badminton’s growing appeal at the community level, and with it comes the exciting challenge of expanding capacity to meet demand.
“We are thrilled to see so many young people engaging with badminton and developing their skills through the Wings Shuttle Smash Junior Program,” said Lily Buttrose, BAWA Vice President & Portfolio Lead of Wings. “The program’s growth is a testament to the hard work of our coaches, volunteers, and the support of our funding partners, including Healthway and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). It’s a fantastic achievement for junior badminton in Western Australia, and we are excited to see it continue expanding in the years ahead.”
Expansion Plans and Growing Pains
In response to increasing demand, Badminton WA is taking decisive steps to scale the program across the state. Plans are already underway to launch three new metropolitan venues, while efforts are progressing to bring the program to regional Western Australia, ensuring that young people from all communities can enjoy the benefits of badminton.
However, with growth comes challenge. One of the biggest hurdles is the limited availability of suitable venues. Many existing sites are already at full capacity, creating a bottleneck that could hinder the program’s momentum.
“We’re excited by the growing interest in badminton, but finding suitable venues for additional sessions has become a challenge,” said Rob Kennedy, Executive Officer of Badminton WA. “We are actively working with local and state governments to overcome these barriers and secure the spaces needed to continue the program’s growth. Junior sport development is crucial, and we’re eager to collaborate with our partners to ensure badminton remains accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live.”
Another critical piece of the expansion puzzle is ensuring the availability of qualified coaches. As more participants join the program, Badminton WA is seeking passionate and skilled coaches to maintain the high standard of delivery that has made Wings Shuttle Smash so successful. At a minimum, new coaches are required to hold a Foundation level coaching qualification.
Those interested in becoming part of the coaching team can find more details under the Coaching tab on the Badminton WA website.
“The success of the Wings Shuttle Smash Program is driven by the dedication of our fantastic coaches,” added Buttrose. “As the program grows, we’re actively seeking more passionate individuals to join us. We encourage anyone with an interest in coaching and a passion for badminton to apply and become part of our incredible community.”
Looking Ahead
The success of the Wings Shuttle Smash Program would not be possible without the continued support of key funding partners, Healthway and DLGSC. Their backing ensures more children across WA can access the sport in a fun, inclusive, and engaging setting.
Looking ahead, Badminton WA remains firmly committed to its mission: to grow the sport of badminton across Western Australia by increasing participation, improving accessibility, and promoting it as a fast, exciting, and welcoming sport for all.
With new venues on the horizon, a growing team of coaches, and unwavering support from its partners, the Wings Shuttle Smash Junior Program is poised to reach even greater heights in the years ahead.
