Badminton Training Camps news archive

LOOKING BACK....2008

Once again the Badminton Training Camp organisers would like to thank all players who attended the 6 th edition of the camps that took place during the summer holidays. Players such as Oliver Gwilt who travelled from Wales and Yonatan Lovit and Ben Hazan from Israel made the camps a truly International experience. In addition many players from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland trained very hard during each of the camps.

First camp was Smash and Shuttlers camps. With the age range going from eleven to eighteen, the coaches were kept on their toes, however the high coach to player ratio ensured that quality work was carried out and gave each player a chance to work on their game during group and cell/individual sessions.

Organisers managed to invite Nicol Rhodes back to deliver a special session which proved to be different, unusual and very very tough. Boxercise is an aerobics type exercise which is led in a group environment. The basics of the class include boxing and Muay Tai Boxing although at no point did the badminton players spar with each other! A special thanks to Nicol Rhodes who travelled to Carronvale House on 2 occasions during the camps to deliver these Boxercise sessions. Overall benefit and similarities to badminton such as speed of feet and hands, co-ordination, leg strength and endurance mixed in with a fun session really brought the best out of all players involved.

Junior Elite: Quality and Competitive

This years Junior Elite Camp was made up of the new breed. The average age was younger than normal and included Struan Ross current Under 11 National Champion up to Stewart Ferns, one of the country's best under 15 players.

The work ethic of all players at all of the camps was incredible especially as there was so much training in such a short time. Hopefully all players will have fond memories of the camps and keep in touch with the many friends they met during the summer.

Craig and Julie wish to thank firstly the players for making the camps very successful and for sharing a great experience with so many players. Also a big thank you to the coaching team and support coaches/players who came on session, day and residential visits.

Craig and Julie would like to thanks the following companies for their continued support:

Yonex UK
Rapid Repairs
DreamWeaving Web Design
100% Me

Update: June 2008

This summers Badminton Training Camps have attracted players from many countries. Players from Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Eire along with 2 players from Israel will travel to the venue of Carronvale House in Larbert. This will be a first for the camps and a great experience for all players. Players aged 10 through to 19 have applied for the camps and will travel from areas as far as Shetland and Orkney in the North and Essex in the South.

There are still places available on all camps. Anyone interested should contact either Craig or Julie to reserve a place.

Good Luck to GB Olympic Team

Camp organisers would like to wish The Great Britain Shuttlers a successful and enjoyable Olympic Games. The games in Beijing are shaping up to be the most exciting badminton event to date due to the venue and enthusiasm of China and their supporters.

Full information can be found on http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008/

LOOKING BACK....2007

Once again the Orion Badminton Training Camp organisers would like to thank all players who attended the 5 th edition of the camps that took place during the summer holidays. Players such as George Nicalou who travelled from Cyprus and William Goudallier from France made the camps a truly International experience. In addition to the players from mainland Europe , many players from England , Ireland , Wales and Scotland trained very hard during each of the camps.

First camp was Smash Camp. With the age range going from nine to eighteen, the coaches were kept on their toes, however the high coach to player ratio ensured that quality work was carried out and gave each player a chance to work on their game during group and cell/individual sessions.

Shuttlers Camp was again very busy. As well as the twist of a special guest on the last evening the camps went very well. Standard of play was very high and even during the quieter summer times, competition between the players was excellent. This ensured all players played tough matches as well as training together to improve all areas of their badminton.

The Twist! Organisers managed to deliver a special session which proved to be different, unusual and very very tough. Boxercise is an aerobics type exercise which is led in a group environment. The basics of the class include boxing and Muay Tai Boxing although at no point did the badminton players spar with each other. As special thanks to Nicol Rhodes who travelled to Carronvale House on 3 occasions during the camps to deliver these Boxercise sessions. Overall benefit and similarities to badminton such as speed of feet and hands, co-ordination, leg strength and endurance mixed in with a fun session really brought the best out of all players involved.

Junior Elite: Quality and Competitive

The Junior Elite Camp brought together some very talented junior players from France , Ireland , Wales and Scotland . Daniel Font and Oliver Gwilt from Wales, William Goudallier from France and Scotland's top junior players such as Adam Hall, Lewis Gallacher, Peter Walker to name but a few will hopefully go on to represent their countries this year at International Level. Overall there were 28 players of a similar standard aged between 12 and 16 who contributed to an excellent camp.

Elite Camp: Toughest so far

This years Elite Camp was definitely the strongest line up of players ever at the Orion Badminton Camps. Many of the players had represented their countries in the past couple of years and continue to aspire to National Team representation and winning titles at domestic and International events.

Finally a huge thank you to the camp sponsors. To Orion Street Lighting and especially Robert Stalker. Robert has sponsored the camps over the last 5 years and has supported with new ideas on development and ways to improve. Without his support the camps would not have reached the level of popularity that they have. No doubt you will continue to see many Orion shirts as players compete in tournaments or simply train at their local clubs.

Thanks also to Kevin Flanagan of DreamWeaving Web Design for the website. To Brian Gannon at Rapid Repairs and to Dylan Eggelstaff of Yonex UK for their support.

Craig and Julie would like to thank the following companies for their continued support:

Yonex UK
Rapid Repairs
DreamWeaving Web Design
100% Me

Update: May 25th 2007

Orion Badminton Training Camps go International

This summers Orion Badminton Training Camps are shaping up to be the best yet. Players from Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Eire are heading to Carronvale House for the four camps during July and August. In addition the camps have attracted players from France and Cyprus, which will give the players from mainland Europe an opportunity to improve their badminton and their language skills.

Players aged 9 through to 18 have applied for the camps and will travel from areas as far as Shetland and Orkney in the North and Essex in the South. Following last years camps there has been an addition and four camps will now take place this summer.

The coaching team will be enhanced with the support of many of Scotland's up and coming coaches and will also look forward to support from Senior and Junior International Players such as National Singles Champion Gordon Thomson and National under 23 Men's Doubles Champion Jamie Neill.

Availability is as follows:

Smash Camp 12 Places Available
Shuttlers Camp 6 Places Available
Junior Elite FULL
Elite Camp 3 Places Available
Simply click on the application form link, download a form and send it off. Should you have any questions over availability please contact Craig or Julie at any time.

Update: May 25th 2007

Good Luck to Scotland at Sudirman Cup

Orion Camp Organisers would like to wish The Scottish Badminton Team the best of luck at this years Sudirman Cup which will be held in Scotsoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow from 11 - 17 June.

Scotland are drawn to play New Zealand, Finland and India during the week and finally a play off match on the Friday evening. Further details about the Sudirman Cup can be found by clicking on the link on our homepage or by clicking HERE.

Update: September 2006 2007 Dates Released

Further to the success of this summers camps, which attracted players from all over the UK and Ireland, Orion Badminton Training Camps are pleased to announce dates for 2007 as follows:

Ø      Smash Camp:         Saturday 7^th July - Tuesday 10^th July 2007
Ø      Shuttlers:               Thursday 12th July - Sunday 15th July 2007
Ø      Junior Elite:        Sunday 15th July - Wednesday 18^th July 2007
Ø      Elite:              Thursday 9th August - Sunday 12th August 2007

Smash Camp and Shuttlers are aimed at tournament players aged between 10 and 18. Junior Elite is a new camp aiming at players of Elite standard and once again the Elite camp will provide an opportunity for players aspiring to National teams to participate from their respective countries.

To reserve your place for 2007 simply download an application form and send to Julie Hogg at the address on the form. Should you have any queries regarding the camps please contact either Craig or Julie by email at any time.

Athletics for 2007

Jill O'Neill and Jude Austin will again be the lead coaches of next summers camps. The date will run during the Elite Badminton Camp:

· Thursday 9^th - Sunday 12^th August 2007

Please check back later for final dates, costs and to download an application form.

Update: August 2006 Looking Back....

After the camps of 2005 the long road ahead allowed many players from areas around the UK to apply for a place on the 2006 edition of the Orion Badminton Training Camps. A total of 85 players aged between 10 and 18 attended during July and August. Traveling from Wales in the South, Shetland and Orkney in the north ensured for not only a great badminton experience, but the chance to enjoy a residential experience.

This year saw a much smoother programme with both playing facilities within a couple of miles of each other and the shuttle bus ferrying all back and forth to Carronvale. As always, the weather was excellent and sunny 99% of the time. With the new improved timetable, players found a little more time to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the centre and even take in a little putting on course at the front of the house.

Powerhouse and Smart-tec Athletics Camp

For the first time Jill O'Neill and Jude Austin, coaches of Garscube Harriers Athletic Club, partnered SPORTSCAMPSR-US to provide a unique training experience for 9 athletes. Sponsors Powerhouse supplied shirts and drinks bottles for all athletes and badminton players, as well as a nutritionist for the athletics camps.

The camp was open to all young club runners from the ages of 9 - 16 and offered a structured training programme, core stability workshop, interaction with experienced coaches and runners, competitions, and a variety of social activities including a mini Olympics with the badminton group.

Commonwealth Games

A twist this year came in the form of a donation by Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland who provided baseball caps and sun hats as well as prizes for each of the camps. These hats were official team kit for the 2006 Scottish Team in Melbourne.

We also had support from the 2014 Commonwealth Games bid team who kindly supplied merchandise for all players and athletes as well as a photographer for an official photo call on August 11^th.

Many players and Athletes attending will be in their twenties by 2014 and hopefully the awareness will provide a pathway, should Scotland be successful in their bid for the Commonwealth Games.

Thanks

We would like to thank the staff at Carronvale for the welcome and excellent service provided during the camps. In addition to this we are grateful to the many coaches, players and support staff who attended the camps as this added to the experience for each and every player. A special thanks to the sponsors who supported the camps and allow them to continue year after year. We have listed them below and again acknowledge their support:

Orion Street Lighting (Main Sponsor)
Yonex UK Ltd
Rapid Repairs
Dream Weaving Web Design
Powerhouse
Smart-tec
100% ME

Finally big thanks to Vince Fallon and Jeff Smith for their photography support. These can be seen in the 2006 photo gallery or click here.

GARSCUBE HARRIERS COACHES are delighted to be partnering Orion Badminton training camps to offer young athletes across Scotland the opportunity to participate in a residential summer camp at Carronvale House, Training & Activity Centre, Larbert, Stirlingshire from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 Aug 2006.

The badminton camps have been running successfully for the past four years but this is the first time that athletics has been introduced to the programme.

The athletics camp which is sponsored by Powerhouse is open to all young club runners from the ages of 9 - 14 and will offer a structured training programme, core stability workshops, video analysis, interaction with experienced coaches and runners, competitions, and a variety of social activities.

The camp will also feature a technical session delivered by John Dargie, National High Performance coach for Triathlon Scotland - an opportunity not to be missed!

Badminton Camp Director Craig Robertson said: "We are delighted to welcome athletics on board. The facilities at Carronvale are second to none and the feedback from our badminton players is tremendous. The camp gets more popular every year and we are delighted that athletics wants to be part of this."

Garscube Harriers Coach Jude Austin said: "This really is a fantastic opportunity for junior athletes. We have tried to strike a balance between training hard, technical input and of course, social activities and we are certain that we have got the right mix. We are also delighted to have input from John Dargie, Iain Donnelly and David Bowmaker - all of whom are experts in their fields."

If you are interested in attending this camp then please contact either Jude Austin on 07976 590432 or email on jude_austin@btinternet.com, Jill O'Neil on 07984 403195 or email jillconeil@hotmail.com or Craig Robertson on 07740 473400 or email craigewrobertson@yahoo.com

2006 Camps Full!
Players from 5 Countries to attend this years camps.

Since releasing application forms in early December 2005 all of the places available have been taken up with players aged from 10 to 18 years old. As the camps are attracting a wider range of players, this year will provide all involved with a very challenging time.

Dates have been provisionally booked for 2007 and some players have expressed an interest in coming to the camps. After the Elite Camps in August the website will be updated with reports, photos and of course, next years dates.

Please email either Craig or Russell if you require further information or wish to receive information on next years camps.

Training Camps go International

As the Yonex Badminton Training camps continue to grow, a total of 84 players from as far afield as Leinster in Ireland, to South of England and as far north as Shetland, will ensure this years camps will be an International occasion.

Over the past two years the training camps have become very popular and have led to an increase in players, coaching staff and some of Scotland's top players coming along to support the camps. The first camp was held on Sunday 10th — 13th July, with the second from 18th — 21st July and finally the Elite Training Camp ran from 10th — 13th August 2005.

You can check out photos and reports from this years camps by using the menu to the left.