Photo: Sdr. Hygum Badminton
The Fire Spirit of the Year 2026 has been found, and this time the prize is awarded Merete Warming from Sdr. Hygum Badminton in the Road.
It is with great pleasure that Badminton Denmark and DGI Badminton can now announce the 2026 Fire Spirit of the Year, Merete Warming from Sdr. Hygum Badminton.
We would like to pay tribute to the passionate people who are the foundation of the sport of badminton in Denmark. The award is therefore given to a passionate person who, with his volunteering, has made himself particularly noticeable for his efforts to keep the joy of badminton and the community alive in the clubs – and Merete has that.
Merete is a Fire Spirit with a capital I, and as the initiator of ikkun Sdr. Hygum Badminton, but in all aspects of the local community, where she sits on the club’s board, finds sponsors and arranges everything from extra training and team tournaments to ‘nightminton’ with overnight stays at the club, and she manages to bring the team together in a sport that is otherwise characterized by individualism.
At the same time, when badminton training in the nearby club in Rødding closed, Merete welcomed all the young players who now go to Sdr. Hygum to train with.
“It’s absolutely huge for me. I’m both touched, proud and deeply grateful. When you put so much heart and time into something you’re passionate about, you rarely think about whether anyone notices. That’s why it hits extra hard to receive an award that’s specifically about commitment and community. It means much more than I can put into words.
It is recognition of the work I do – not just from one person, but from the entire community around Sdr. Hygum Badminton. That someone has thought: ‘This makes a difference,’ makes me both proud and touched. I am truly honored to receive the award as Fire Spirit of the Year 2026, and it gives me even more motivation to continue creating good experiences/community for all the players.
Fortunately, I am not alone. We have a fantastic group of volunteers who support, help and make it possible to bring all my ideas to life. Without their commitment and support, I would never have been able to raise the level of activities that we have today – and I certainly would not be standing here as the recipient of this award either. I am deeply grateful to each and every person who helps lift the team and create the club we have today,” says Marete Warming the day after she was surprised with the award at her home club in Sdr. Hygum.
A big round of applause must be given to the other nominees in the category Fire Spirit of the Year 2026, namely Nour AI-Hanafi from Lindholm Badminton Club and Lene Palling from Humlebæk Badminton Club.
Merete Warming will be honored as Fire Spirit of the Year 2026 at the VICTOR DM in Sønderborg on Saturday 7 February 2026.
