Ole’s 60+ Years in Badminton | Esbjergliv.dk

Ole Jacobsen has dedicated his life to Danish badminton for over 60 years – as a coach, leader and historian. A fiery soul who is still active as an 80-year-old.

It was not exactly in the cards that Ole Jacobsen had to move from Vamdrup to Esbjerg to get hiring as a teacher, but a judge’s assignment in badminton in the old badminton hall in Havnegade in October 68 was the starting shot.

– I remember the old round arch hall, where there were limited numbers of changing rooms – and where the audience was on the neck of the players – whether it was handball matches with KVIK and EHK or Badminton.

Ole Jacobsen recently passed an age milestone – born in 1945. In this connection, the editor of the badminton magazine wrote Per Damkjær Juhl, An enriching article with the headline: A life dedicated to Danish badminton.

Esbjergliv.dk has been given the opportunity to bring excerpts of the article.

Widespread tasks and roles

Ole Jacobsen’s life and work has been inextricably linked to Danish badminton for more than six decades. From the player, coach, instructor and teacher to the organizer, “the man with the deep calm, reflection and the long sight” and not least the chairman of the Badminton Museum, Ole Jacobsen has left a deep imprint in the development and conservation of the sport in Denmark.

Coaching career has been a leading pillar in Danish badminton, where he has combined the club’s competence building with regional and national teaching, which has created both results and lasting values ​​- not least in Esbjerg and the surrounding area.

Ole loves the work with the Badminton Museum. Collage: Johnny Tauman.

A lifelong love of badminton

Ole Jacobsen began his journey with badminton as a young man and has since been active in almost every imaginable roles: player, coach, leader, judge and historian. His commitment has not only been characterized by passion, but also by tremendous knowledge and an unwavering will to strengthen and document the sport.

In the 1960s and 70s he marked himself as a skilled and dedicated player, but it was behind the scenes that he really found his place. His organizational talent and ability to gather people around the sport has been crucial to many initiatives and tournaments, both at the local and national level.

Guardian of the story

One of Ole Jacobsen’s most significant roles has been chairman of the Badminton Museum. Here he has for years worked tirelessly to collect, preserve and disseminate the history of the sport. The museum, which contains everything from rackets and trophies to pictures and personal stories, has largely become what it is today, thanks to Ole Jacobsen’s persistence and historical insight.

He has insisted that the Danish badminton’s rich inheritance should not only be remembered, but also communicated to future generations. Under his leadership, the museum has not only expanded its collection, but also modernized the dissemination, so the story lives both physically and digitally.

A respected figure

Over the years, Ole Jacobsen has achieved a special status in badminton circles – not just as a fiery soul, but as a living lexicon and a unifying figure. He is known for his warm humor, his great heart and his indomitable work. It is not too much to say that he has been a cultural carrier for Danish badminton.

Colleagues and badminton friends describe him as an institution in themselves – a man you can always count on and who never forgets a detail when it comes to the history of sports.

The commitment is intact

Although age says 80, Ole’s commitment is intact. He is still seen frequently in badminton halls, at events and of course under the auspices of the museum. He has lived a life in the service of the badminton. His contribution goes far beyond the individual and has helped shape the identity of Danish badminton.

Over the years, Ole Jacobsen has achieved a special status in badminton circles – not just as a fiery soul, but as a living lexicon and a unifying figure. Photo: Johnny Tauman.

Factual data

Per Damkjær Juhl, Badmintonbladet, has prepared the following overview which is not exhaustive.
When Esbjergliv.dk was over to photograph Ole, he mentioned just two names, which he recalls with great joy from the 70s: national team players Claus Thomsen and Claus Berthelsen.

Trainer roles and club affiliation

1. Vamdrup Badminton and Tennis Club (1965–1969)
   • Chairman and coach at Vamdrup. This is where Ole took his first steps into the coach role while reading to a teacher.
2. Kolding Badminton Club (1966–1969)
   • Trained the so-called “Nierhoff Generation” in Kolding in parallel with his work in Vamdrup
3. Esbjerg Badminton Club (1969–1986)
   • One of Ole’s longest -lasting roles. He was actively working with the club’s youth department, which moved from series 2 up to 1. division Under his leadership.
   • During this period, the club was considered among the country’s best youth environments.
   • Notable students: Lone Bahl (DM-Titlevinder 1975) and Bente Terkelsen, where Ole stood at the prizes in 1975.
4. Fanø Badminton Club (1970–1975)
   • Care for permanent training every Friday for the club, known for “Svarrer/Skeby” generation.
5. Odense Badminton Club (1988–1990)
   • Trained young talents such as Mathias Boe, Julie Houmann and Anne Marie Pedersen.
6. Grindsted BK (1990–1992)
   • Under Ole’s leadership, Grindsted achieved 7 championship players and four promotions in the senior ranks.
7. Varde Badminton Club (1992–1995)
   • Focused on the construction of youth department as well as training of teams in series 1 and 2.

Instructor and course leader – regional and national

• Instructor and course leader at many regional badminton courses in places such as Skovbakken, Vingsted, Ribe, Frederikshavn, Sønderborg and Oksbøl in the period 1969–1974.
• These courses were often for teachers and club coaches, and Ole stood as an instructor from the Esbjerg Badminton Club.
• Participated as a DIF sports teacher and was permanently affiliated with DIF and DBF from the mid-1970s.

Recognitions and prices as a trainer

• “Best Youth Work of the Year” In the Danish Badminton Federation, Ole was named in 1977.
• In 1977, Esbjerg Badminton Club received DIF’s royal trophy for their youth work under Ole’s leadership.
• I 1993 modtog Ole EU’s Emile Noël Prize for fair play i sport.
• Ole was awarded BWF’s Meritorious Service Award in 1996 for his great efforts to badminton international.