Badminton: Hopes to drive more into the sport on Island

People of all abilities being welcomed with trials being held this month

It's hoped over the next year more people of all abilities can get involved in badminton on the Island.

That's according to the Isle of Man's Island Games badminton squad manager Neil Harding as the latest recruitment drive in the sport is underway ahead of the new season.

Throughout this month, Isle of Man Badminton Association is hosting trials for its Island Games squad to head to Orkney in 2025 as well as the Manx senior teams to contest the Badminton England Championships.

Meanwhile, there's been a revamp of the junior selection process in which players will be chosen based on ability and split into one of three classes - Elite, Development or Foundation - rather than sorted by age category.

Last year, the Isle of Man claimed three medals at the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey; Jess Li and Kim Clague took gold in the women's doubles; Li took silver in the women's singles with Li and Matthew Nicholson winning bronze in the mixed doubles.

Elsewhere in the latest Badminton England Senior County Championships, IoM 1 finished second in Division 2 North whilst IoM 2 earned their second successive promotion to move into the same league as their fellow Manx side.

However, despite some higher profile successes and performances at competitive level in the last twelve months, Mr Harding says they're keen to see people of different ages and abilities take part in the game this coming year: