Sunderland Community Badminton Network Hosts First BISI Festival

The first BISI (Badminton Into Schools Initiative) Festival was held on Tuesday 16th March 2010.

St Aidan's Catholic School hosted a BISI Badminton Festival for local Primary schools in March. Over 100 Year 5 pupils spent the afternoon engaged in a variety of activities, specifically developed to encourage young people to participate in the basics of the game within a fun, competitive environment.

The team from St Cuthbert's R.C. Primary School beat 'St Mary's Superstars' by a narrow margin to take home winners' medals provided by Premier League for Sport, and all participants were awarded a certificate of attendance.

The Festival, the first of four to be planned and funded by the recently formed Sunderland Community Badminton Network, was delivered with the help of Year 11 GCSE students from St Aidan's School, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with the primary children.

BISI Festivals provide an invaluable opportunity for Sports Leaders to practise their leadership skills and, as more festivals are planned for the summer term, it is hoped to engage a significant number of teenagers in this volunteering opportunity.

Badminton England Regional Officer, Norma Waterfield, commented, 'It was wonderful to see so many children involved in the first of our BISI festivals. It is a great way to involve children in competitions and, with a City final planned for July, we are hoping to make this an annual event and significantly increase participation.'

For information on badminton opportunities contact Norma on 07725 413877

October

Friday 14 October 10.30-2.30 Houghton Town Centre

Friday 21 October 10.30-2.30 High St West

Thursday 26 October 11-3 Jubilee Centre, Farringdon