Welcome to the East Sussex Junior Badminton Academy
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End of Season
ANNOUNCEMENT:
We have been very successful with our grant applications this season with support from both 3VA and SCDA which have helped fund our youngsters from the Ukrainian communities around Sussex.
We were also awarded the Premier Club status for another season by Badminton England and successful with their Development grant.
Plus Wrightsure Insurance Services have continued their support for the eighteenth season. Who we are truly indebted to for keeping our costs accessible to all.
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Julie & Nick with Chairman William
Words for William
At the end of the 2023-24 season we are sad to announce that William Brown, ESJBA Chairman and founding member, is retiring from our committee this season.
William was one of five coaches that started ESJBA in 2003, then taking over the reins as chairman 6 years later. He has led the organisation for the last 14 years with a huge amount of professionalism, and enthusiasm for badminton; he has committed hundreds of hours of personal time to running the organisation.
William encouraged many parents to get involved as coaches, assistants, treasurers and helpers. He has raised many 10’s of thousands of pounds from sponsorship and grant applications and regularly stepped in to coach and encourage young players development.
William set very high standards for the running of the academy; the discipline of committee meeting minutes, employing coaches, organising matches, awards, shirts, the list goes on. For many years, he organised an annual ESJBA junior tournament.
On behalf of hundreds of players and parents, ESJBA would like to say a heartfelt thank you to William for his years of commitment and wish him (and his wife Valerie) all the best for the years ahead; although we know he will keep in touch.
Martin Bilton
Vice Chairman
Chairman Retires
After 20 years from 2004 of ESJBA which he co-founded with David Fletcher, Gavin Lowe, Kevin Marquis and Bruce Peapell, has decided to retire from position of Chairman. William has held the position for the past 14 years and has adopted several roles in that time from Tournament Referee on the ESJBA Championships, assistant and Lead Coach, Secretary, Compliance Officer, Child Welfare Officer, website administrator, Funding & Grants and even Treasurer for one season. He has secured over £30k from grants and sponsors in his tenure and has organised and managed over 12 annual tournaments, organised special events with National & Olympic players, coaching days and First Aid courses for the coaches. He has also been the Academy’s Child Welfare Officer and made sure the academy was fully compliant throughout the epidemic, and meeting the Premier Club status.
Badminton England’s -Spotlight on Chairman – https://www.instagram.com/p/C8389zpqdKM/
ESJBA – OUR AIMS
ESJBA is a non-profit making organisation, run and organised by a management committee comprising of volunteers. We are affiliated to Badminton England. ESJBA incorporate the Districts and Boroughs of Wealden, Lewes, Hastings, Eastbourne, Rother, and Brighton.
ESJBA respond annually, both pro-actively and re-actively by meeting the fluctuating demands such as, numbers, ages and locations of young players within East Sussex.
The object of the Academy is to encourage the development of badminton in East Sussex, and managing of its Squads. We also aim to support progression in badminton and ultimately this often means a player improving sufficiently to be selected for the Sussex County squads. Each year many of our players go on to achieve this next step and some decide to continue training with both ourselves and Sussex. We are there to provide the additional training with professional coaching for those players that require more experience and knowledge of the sport to pursue their ambitions.
‘As of the 1st April 2022 there are no longer any need for us to keep reference to previous restrictions and guidance in place. You can follow the link government information which relates to the current phase which includes guidance related to actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people.’
ESJBA was the first ‘development’ group in the County and is now one of the largest in Sussex, providing a safe and professional environment for players that fall just below County acceptance. Each year many of our players go on to achieve the next step as a County player and some decide to continue their training with both ourselves and the Sussex county Juniors. ESJBA work closely with Sussex Junior Badminton and some of our coaches either work with or have worked with SCJB in the past.
For a comprehensive Introduction to the East Sussex Junior Badminton Academy CLICK HERE
Also follow us on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ESJBA
