The Badminton Association strengthens club work in South Greenland

During the autumn, the Badminton Association has invited consultant and coach Miko Kongstad on an extended trip to South Greenland with a focus on supporting the local clubs, giving the coaches new inspiration and strengthening the collaboration between the association and the volunteers in the badminton community.

The trip has been possible thanks to support from Timersoqatigiit Kattuffiat (Greenland Sports Federation), Badminton World Federation through Badminton Europe Confederation, Municipality of Kujalleq and the local clubs. The combination of international, municipal and local support has made it possible to carry out a trip that both strengthens the training environment and the association's work.

Focus on club development and volunteering

During the trip, Miko Kongstad visited four cities: Narsaq, Nanortalik, Paamiut and Qaqortoq. Originally, the visit plan was three cities, but due to flight delays, there was also time for an extra stop in Qaqortoq, where a club training session was held.

- Reaching four clubs instead of three is very positive for the association. It shows the great interest and flexibility that exists in the local communities. And then you have to say that something good can come out of flight delays, after all, says Miko with a laugh.

During his stay in the South Greenlandic towns, Miko Kongstad has been in charge of all club training – three weeks in Narsaq, three weeks in Nanortalik and one week in Paamiut. In addition, he has held meetings and conversations with the volunteer boards to give them sparring, inspiration and new tools for their daily club work. The purpose has been to strengthen the breadth of badminton and create better communication between the association and the clubs.

- It's about giving the clubs professional support, but also recognition for their great efforts. An impressive amount of volunteer work is being done all around, Miko says proudly.

Shuttle Time brings badminton into schools

An important element of the trip has been the Shuttle Time educational program, developed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The program makes it possible for schools to include badminton in physical education – and requires a certified teacher to be implemented. Miko Kongstad, who is a trained Shuttle Time instructor through the BWF, has been teaching elementary school teachers, support teachers and local club coaches in Paamiut. The plan was for the program to also be held in Nanortalik, but due to internal misunderstandings at the school, it was postponed.

- Shuttle Time is a fantastic way to get badminton out to even more children and young people. We hope that it can also be implemented in Nanortalik at a later date, says Miko.

Although Shuttle Time was only implemented in Paamiut this time, the project has shown how great potential there is in bringing badminton into schools – and thus ensuring that even more children will enjoy the sport in the future.

Great optimism for the future

After the visit to South Greenland, it is clear that badminton has a strong foundation in the region. The club environments are buzzing with commitment, and the players show great desire to develop. Miko Kongstad's efforts have given the clubs new energy and concrete tools to improve their training and organization.

- It bodes well for the future of badminton in South Greenland, says Miko with a smile in his voice.

Miko himself has a long history with badminton. As a former national team player for Greenland, he has the sport deep down under his skin – and a deep passion for developing it further. The journey through South Greenland has required both time and commitment, but for Miko it is precisely the joy of giving something back to the sport that drives him.

- Of course, it takes a lot of energy to travel and teach for so long, but the joy of contributing to the development of badminton is far greater. The trip has given both me and the association valuable insight – and a confirmation of how much the sport means to people here, Miko says.

With the trip, the Badminton Association hopes to have laid the foundation for a closer and more lasting collaboration with the clubs in South Greenland – and for a future where badminton continues to grow, both as a club sport and as part of school physical education. And the journey does not stop here. Next year, Miko will be leaving again to share his knowledge and passion for the sport. Whether the trip will go North or East is still unknown – but one thing is certain: badminton in Greenland will not only become broader, but also stronger, with even better training and club environments that grow in both quality and cooperation.