Andrew Pace
Para-badminton is a sport for everyone, welcoming men and women of all ages with a physical impairment. It has been part of the Special Olympics World Summer Games since 1995 and made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The sport is facilitated by Badminton Australia, which supports the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) para pathway. This involves creating opportunities for new players through state and territory participation programs, as well as developing athletes who wish to compete at local, national, and international levels. Badminton Australia also works closely with disability organisations to promote participation and learning opportunities for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 439,353 |
| Affiliated State & Territories, Associations and Clubs | 380 |
| Commonwealth Games Representatives | 89 |
| Number of Badminton Olympians & Paralympians | 41 |
| Para Badminton Debut | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games |
| Governing Body | Badminton World Federation (BWF) |
| Global Vision | To give every child the chance to play badminton |
| Local Governing Body | Badminton Australia |
| Local Vision | To support BWF's para pathway |
| Para Badminton Classification | 6 sporting classes |
| Wheelchair 1 (WH1) | Impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function |
| Wheelchair 2 (WH2) | Impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk |
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What You'll Learn
Para-Badminton's Paralympic debut
Para-badminton made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, but the sport has been contested internationally since the 1990s. The first Para-badminton World Championships took place in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, in 1998. Founded in 1995 in Stoke Mandeville, England, the International Badminton Association for Disabled (IBAD) was the first governing body for Para-badminton. In 2011, the sport came under the governance of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Para-badminton is the fastest racket sport at the Paralympics, with players competing in singles and doubles events, hitting a shuttlecock over the net without returning it to score points. The matches follow a best-of-three format, where the first player or team to reach 21 points in two games wins. After the scores reach 19 points, a side must be two points clear of their opponent to secure the win. Athletes are divided into six classes: four standing and two wheelchair categories, depending on their degree of impairment. The size of the court can be adapted for certain categories, such as wheelchair singles matches, where half the regular court is used.
The Badminton World Federation is recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the world governing body for Para-badminton. The inclusion of Para-badminton in the Paralympics reflects the sport's accessibility and inclusivity, welcoming athletes from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be the second appearance of Para-badminton at the Paralympics, with 120 athletes from 31 nations competing in 16 medal events. The sport's debut at the Paralympics has helped raise its profile and attract more participants and spectators worldwide.
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Para-Badminton classification rules
Para-badminton is a sport for men and women of any age with a physical impairment. It made its Paralympic debut in 2020 at the Tokyo Summer Paralympics. The sport is played on a rectangular court separated by a net with a shuttlecock, and players use a racquet to pass the shuttlecock from one side of the net to the other, aiming to force an error and win a point. A match consists of the best of three games of 21 points, with a point scored every time there is a serve.
Para-badminton is open to athletes with physical impairments who compete in men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles across six different sport classes. To be placed into a sport class, athletes must complete the classification process, which is outlined in the BWF Classification Regulations. These regulations detail the eligible impairments and the minimal impairment criteria for each sport class.
As of 2016, formal classification is not required for national events. However, all participants entering international events will undergo formal classification during those events.
Badminton Australia, a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), works closely with state and territory associations and disability organisations to promote and develop Para-badminton. They also support the development of athletes to compete at the highest levels, both locally and internationally.
In preparation for the Oceania Championships in Mandurah, Badminton Australia representatives attended the BWF Level 1 classification training, which included theory, practical, and on-court sessions. This knowledge will contribute to the development of a National Level classifier curriculum to be delivered before the Para Badminton Nationals in Altona, Victoria, in May 2024.
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State and territory participation programs
Badminton Australia works with its state and territory associations to promote and develop para badminton. It also partners with disability organisations to promote participation and learning opportunities.
The first step of the Badminton Australia Performance Pathway is for players to be invited to their state/territory squad training sessions. These sessions are delivered by the state/territory associations and supported by Badminton Australia. The main objective of this initial step in the performance pathway is to provide an opportunity and experience for players demonstrating the potential for talent in the state to come together, train and support each other with their development.
Badminton Australia also aims to deliver a number of camps in each state or territory focused on developing state junior athletes and coaches within their state. State National Camps are designed to bring together the best junior athletes and their coaches from within the state to assist and support their holistic and overall development.
Each of the State and Territory organisations is responsible for the organisation, promotion, and development of Badminton in their respective state or territory. This includes the affiliation of clubs and associations, implementation of events and programs, organisation of state teams, and the running of player, coach, and official development activities.
Badminton Australia works closely with Sport Australia, an arm of the Australian Sports Commission, in areas of participation, governance, and other sport-related activities. Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools increase children's participation in sport and connect them with community sporting opportunities. The Shuttle Time program provides a positive badminton experience for children and youth through a fun, engaging, and social environment.
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International tournament development
Para-badminton is a sport that includes men and women of all ages with a physical impairment. It has been part of the Special Olympics World Summer Games since 1995 and made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The sport is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which is responsible for its development and progress in the Oceania region.
Badminton Australia, a member of the BWF, has been instrumental in supporting the development of international tournaments in the country and the progress of athletes to the highest level. It works closely with state and territory associations, disability organisations, and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to promote and develop the sport. The AOC, a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation, plays a crucial role in funding, supporting, selecting, and sending Australian athletes to the Olympics and Paralympics.
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), as part of the Australian Sports Commission, collaborates with Badminton Australia's High-Performance teams to achieve excellence in the sport, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, Sport Australia, another arm of the Australian Sports Commission, works with Badminton Australia in areas such as participation, governance, and other sport-related activities.
To further enhance the development of para-badminton in Australia, Badminton Australia has established partnerships with global leaders in sports apparel, such as Li-Ning, and equipment manufacturers like YONEX. These partnerships aim to provide the best possible support to Australian para-badminton athletes as they represent their country in international competitions.
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Athlete development
Para-badminton in Australia has been supported by several organisations, including the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Paralympics Australia, Badminton Oceania, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF). These organisations work together to provide athlete development opportunities for para-badminton players.
The National Development Program (NDP) is one such initiative that brings together the best junior athletes and coaches across Australia. The NDP supports athlete development through national camps, coach mentoring, and the creation of documented athlete plans. It is the next step for athletes transitioning out of state-based programs and aims to prepare athletes for the world stage.
Badminton Australia has also implemented a High-Performance Pathway (HPP) to develop the para-athlete stars of tomorrow. The HPP provides a framework for athletes and coaches to gain the skills and knowledge to represent Australia at an international level. It connects athletes and coaches from the foundational level to the podium and is an athlete-centred, coach-led system. The Performance Pathway Partners program (PPP), piloted in 2021, is a critical component of the HPP, where Badminton Australia teams up with schools, clubs, and associations to support athlete development.
Para-athletes in Australia also benefit from personal development plans, funding support, and access to training camps and other resources through the support of the ASC, Paralympics Australia, and Badminton Oceania. These organisations work together to provide the necessary tools for para-athletes to succeed and represent Australia in international competitions.
Badminton Oceania, the representative for the BWF in the Oceania region, also plays a crucial role in player development. Their Player Development programme is a 4-tier programme aimed at under-23 athletes, providing tailored support according to the development of badminton in their country. Badminton Oceania also organises events like the Oceania Tour and the Trans-Tasman Challenge to provide competitive opportunities for players.
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Frequently asked questions
Para Badminton is a sport for everyone, including people with physical impairments. It is played on a rectangular court separated by a net with a shuttlecock, and players use racquets to pass the shuttlecock over the net.
Para Badminton has specific classification rules that categorise athletes into six "Sport Classes" based on their impairments. These include Wheelchair 1 (WH1) and Wheelchair 2 (WH2), which depend on the level of impairment in the lower limbs and trunk function.
Para Badminton made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and it has been part of the Special Olympics World Summer Games since 1995.
Badminton Australia, which is a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), works closely with state and territory associations, disability organisations, and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) to promote and develop Para Badminton.
You can explore Para Badminton by contacting Badminton Australia and referring to the Para-badminton Information Sheet for details on eligibility and how to get involved. Clubs like Ability Para Badminton Club in Victoria also offer opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and develop their skills.
