All ages targeted for festival of badminton in Alness
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All-comers from primary pupils to pensioners in and around Alness are being targeted next week to give badminton a go.
A series of events is lined up to get more people involved in playing and coaching the sport.
The festival of badminton gets under way on Saturday with a Badminton Basics course, a six-hour session for volunteers and young sports leaders.
Then all next week daily taster sessions will be run for Primary Five to Seven pupils across local schools.
On the Friday afternoon workshops are being held for high school pupils and Averon Centre staff.
That will be followed by a Smash In2 Badminton session at the centre for families between 6.30 and 7.30pm.
These sessions will be in addition to the normal ones for primary and secondary school taken by local High Life Highland Active Schools co-ordinator Karla Angus.
The festival is being led by Jane Grant, Badminton Scotland’s Highlands and Islands regional development officer, with the support of Mrs Angus and centre manager Iain Goode.
The curtain comes down with a para event in Dingwall Leisure Centre on Saturday, November 20 led by Highland Disability Sport.
It is hoped the interest generated will lead to weekly Friday evening Smash In2 Badminton stints along with the start-up of fun competitions for school kids – a Big Hit festival is being pencilled in for after the festive break.
“This is all about promoting health and well-being in the Alness area through the medium of badminton,” Thurso-based Grant said.
“It’s about getting families out and becoming active together and enjoying a sport that can be played in all weathers from five-year-olds to 85-year-olds.
“There’s no gender bias and it is fully inclusive.”
