Para Badminton Overview

Badminton Ireland is committed to creating an inclusive environment through widening access and encouraging more people to get involved in badminton.Badminton is a sport that can be played together by both the disabled and the non-disabled; it enhances social opportunities regardless of differing degrees of ability and disability as well as improving health and overall physical strength. Para badminton has multiple classes. Para Badminton provides players of different disabilities and backgrounds an opportunity to interact under a common purpose.  It is a growing sport with more and more participants taking up the game either socially or competitively. The BWF are working hard to make sure para badminton becomes a paralympic games sport in 2020. There are a total of 6 classes recognised by the BWF.

  •      2 Wheelchair sport classes ( WH1, WH2)
  •      3 Standing sport classes (SL3, SL4, SU5)
  •      1 Short stature sport class (SS6)

To get more of an insight into para badminton click here

Additional information regarding para badminton can be found on the BWF website click here

There are a number of clubs operating throughout Ireland:

Pan Disability Lisburn 
Pan Disability Dublin 

 

Classification

All para badminton players are required to undergo a medical classification before they take part in any competition. This differs to a disability classification they receive from a hospital for congenital or acquired disabilities. Classifiers of each class are responsible for the classification of players for example there are 6 classifications (SL3, SL4, SU5 and SS6, WH1, WH2) in total in Para badminton. Classification is undertaken so that players can be designated a sport class (groups players together in tournaments to compete against each other) and allocated a sport class status (which indicates when players should be evaluated and how their sport class may be challenged).


What is a classifier?

A classifier is a person appointed and certified by the BWF as being competent to evaluate players (as part of a classification panel) for international tournaments.
Trainee Classifier: This is a person that is being trained by the BWF, however is not yet certified as a classifier. Trainees cannot be members of the classification panel at international tournaments until certification is achieved.

What are the requirements before commencing certification?

Qualified in one or more of the following disciplines:

  •  Medical professional – a doctor or physiotherapist (or a practitioner from a related discipline) who has experience knowledge and experience in dealing with individuals with impairments and activity limitations.
  •  A technical expert that who has an in depth knowledge in biomechanics of sport/human movement and have significant expertise in the technical aspects of badminton.

 

What are the responsibilities of a classifier?

Being part of a Classification Panel at BWF Para-Badminton sanctioned tournaments;

  • Being part of a Protest Panel at BWF Para-Badminton sanctioned tournaments;
  • Attending classification meetings at tournaments; and
  • Assisting in classifier training and certification as requested by the Head of Classification.

 

What is involved in the training to become a certified classifier?

There are two main stages, which involves a minimum commitment of:

  • Attendance at 2 international tournaments where training will be conducted

      1 day workshops/ training theory
      1 day of player evaluation observation
      2 days observation of players in competition

  • Participation in workshops, theory sessions, observation and practical tasks;
  • Completion of written assignment work between the 2 international events;
  • Completion of assessment tasks.

How do classifiers get assessed?

Assessment is carried out on an on-going basis during the training.