Uphill Badminton Club Junior Section started in 1988, and coaches some 100 children aged 5-18 years. Many of these juniors already play in Senior Club teams, and one of the Clubs teams in the North Somerset League, is devoted purely to junior players.
The Junior Club has 3 one-hour coaching sessions on Saturday afternoon between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sessions are based on age and ability and are led by Badminton England Coaches and Leaders, with support from several Club members, all giving voluntary coaching. The junior season finishes with a tournament and prize giving, sponsored by Howard Garages, which is fun for all the members. The Clubs aim is to progress the children from beginners through to Club and County players. It has been successful in providing Avon Badminton Association with players for all County age groups. When the Avon Schools Junior League was running, the U/15 and U/18 Uphill teams won the event more times than any other Club. The Junior Club is a member of Badminton England and the Avon Schools Badminton Association.
Junior Club History
In 1997 John & Caroline Poole were awarded the Doug Atwell Trophy by North Somerset Council for the encouragement of youth participation, fair play and sportsmanship in badminton.
In 1999 Badminton England recognised the sterling work done by Junior Organiser and Coach, Caroline Poole and gave her their award as junior organiser of the year.
In 2002 Caroline was nominated by Badminton England to receive a national ‘Torch Trophy Trust Award’ for her outstanding voluntary work for Badminton. She was selected from a large number of nominations from many organisations and sporting bodies throughout the British Isles, to receive an award from Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent.
In March 2008 the junior club celebrated its 20th anniversary with a reunion of many of its past members. This was a wonderful celebration held at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare, and over 360 people were in attendance.
Finally, the success of the junior badminton development is epitomised by the fact that the present Senior Club Captain, together with two
other members of the current 1st team, two members of the 2nd team, four members of the 3rd team, three member of the 4th team and 6 members of the 5th team have come through our junior coaching system. Many past and present juniors are now senior members and four are currently on the Senior Club Committee. Others have gone on to represent their Universities and some have captained their University teams.