Launch of Richard Vaughan Badminton Academy

26.09.2005

Badminton in the Caerphilly Borough has struggled over previous years. In a bid to put badminton back on the map Sports Development launched an initiative in September last year. Sessions were established in Risca, Pontllanfraith and St Cenydd to encourage young people to take up the sport. St Cenydd has now established itself as Caerphilly Badminton Club and the sessions in Pontllanfraith are still running as part of the initiative.

Caerphilly born Richard Vaughan has made a commitment to support the future of Badminton within Caerphilly County Borough. The new Academy is designed to ensure that young people with the Borough have to opportunity to progress to an elite level. Richard explained, "I have reached a stage in my career where I want to give back my knowledge and experience to the sport and country that has given me so many opportunities, nothing would give me more pleasure than to see a Welsh player represent Great Britain in future Olympics”.

The Richard Vaughan Academy has been created in order create the pathways for young players to progress from being a club player to competing at an international level. The Richard Vaughan Academy currently involves two groups of 8 junior players. The Academy group based at St Cenydd Leisure Centre, Caerphilly and a Development group based at Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Treforest. Both groups receive the highest quality coaching and support. Former Wales Junior coach Don Griffiths and players Zhou Min from China and Piret Hamer from Estonia have signed up to be apart of the academy structure. They will work alongside other experts who specialise in nutrition, physiotherapy, and sports psychology, among others.

Lyndon Williams, Chief Executive, Welsh Badminton Union said "Richard's hard work and dedication to his sport, and natural ability has enabled him to achieve badminton excellence as a player - he has so much to offer young players as a coach!"

If you require more information regarding the Richard Vaughan Academy please visit: www.richardvaughan.net or e-mail Richard@richardvaughan.net

For more information regarding Badminton within Caerphilly County Borough please contact: Elizabeth Webster on 01443 863209 or webste@caerphilly.gov.uk