One of badminton’s greatest features is that it truly is a sport for all. Partners in the sport of badminton recognized this important feature in New Zealand.
Starting back in May 2025 and finishing at the end of July 2025, an inclusive badminton program, using Shuttle Time training and resources, was organised in North Harbour, Auckland by Badminton North Harbour, Badminton Oceania and Special Olympics New Zealand. The program catered to those with intellectual & developmental disabilities, aged eight and above, as well as their friends, siblings, and guardians. The National Coordinators involved were Tracey Hallam, Sam Kreutzer and Glenn Cox.
How it Started
Badminton Oceania and Badminton North Harbour ran an initial Special Olympics Badminton ‘Have-a-Go’ day at Badminton North Harbour in March 2025. This was used as an opportunity to test participant interest, which was proven as 20 people arrived ready to play.
Following the Have-a-Go day, plans were made by Badminton North Harbour and Badminton Oceania to deliver a 10-week Shuttle Time program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Badminton North Harbour then ran a Shuttle Time Teachers course in May with several people who were interested in volunteering at the inclusive badminton sessions where three new volunteers were upskilled.
Engaging the Community
The first inclusive badminton session was held on 24 May 2025 at Active Badminton Centre with the program lasting for 10 weeks finishing on 26 July. It was delivered every Saturday for one hour on three courts with 14 – 22 participants each week. The sessions were designed to help participants find success in developing their badminton skills at the level suitable for them—a focus on individual improvement.
To meet this objective, the participants were often split into two groups. One for players with some badminton experience who could play rallies and doubles badminton with each other, and one for beginners who would be introduced to badminton for the first time.
The Shuttle Time content was well utilised in these sessions, and the suggested variations to modify activities based on ability level was very useful.
By the end of the program, participants had made improvements in their badminton skills, built new friendships, and largely enjoyed a sense of achievement. The final session concluded with lots of excitement to continue playing badminton in the future, with a bonus of a pizza lunch.
The organisers intend to continue the inclusive badminton offering at Badminton North Harbour, and to grow the number of local inclusive badminton programs for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities around New Zealand.
Enthusiastic Response
Shuttle Time Teachers Fabian Max and Lynne Dobson were all praise for the program.
Fabian Max: “My wife actually made me aware and passed my name on. She works with people with disabilities and knows how much I love the game. To me it was a meaningful time to be able to support those with disabilities to be able to play and enjoy themselves. The Shuttle Time Teachers course helped me to develop my skills of coaching beginners. They went from no skills to where they could hit the shuttle and even play a game. I was so proud of everyone in such a short time. We couldn’t do this without the parents and extra volunteers. Big thank you to Sam from Oceania and North Harbour Badminton. The social and friendships amongst everyone was amazing.”
Lynne Dobson: “I got involved with the program as I’m quite involved with badminton, and I’m aware of the needs of those with disabilities and the few opportunities they have to become involved in a sport.
By helping with the Shuttle Time sessions it was very rewarding to see not only the progress the players made but the joy they showed by being involved in something that for most of them was a new experience. Most of them would like the sessions to continue on a regular basis. It was definitely well received by having the courts regularly booked and rackets and shuttles provided.”
