A visit by Team England badminton star Marcus Ellis has inspired students at Elizabeth Woodville School to get on the ‘Roade to Rio’ in new SmashUp! badminton sessions.
SmashUp! badminton, a new initiative which is giving pupils of all sporting ability the chance to get active in a fun and sociable way, is proving a smash hit following the visit from Ellis, who is ranked in the world’s 20 and is in contention to play for England at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
The weekly session – which features a music playlist set by pupils, 16 big hitting badminton challenges, no dress code and no formal coaching – now sees over 35 pupils get on court.
Ellis got the shuttlecocks flying at the first Elizabeth Woodville SmashUp! session by running a badminton masterclass, including a smash challenge and giving pupils the chance to ‘beat the star’ on court.