“We want to create more activities where we bring families together, and where parents and grandparents can also take part in the game on the court,” says Oliver Kaihøj, the 19-year-old organizer behind a growing wave of youth and family initiatives at Brabrand IF Badminton, as reported by Vores Brabrand.
Youth Leadership and Family Tournaments in Brabrand
Over the past year, 19-year-old Oliver Kaihøj has organized a series of creative youth events at the Brabrandhallen sports venue in Aarhus, Denmark. The initiative centers on community, connection, and social play for the club’s younger members and their families. In June, more than 60 children, parents, and grandparents participated in a generational doubles tournament hosted by Brabrand IF Badminton just before the summer break. The event paired young club players with a parent or grandparent, concluding with a communal meal designed to mix the generations.
Building Community Across Generations at Brabrandhallen
Kaihøj acknowledged he was initially uncertain how the young badminton players would respond to playing alongside family members and sitting with adults they did not know well during the post-tournament dinner. “We haven’t tried this before, and I was curious how the youth players would handle sitting and talking to someone they hadn’t met,” Kaihøj said. The turnout exceeded expectations, forcing organizers to start the tournament an hour earlier than scheduled. Older participants contributed stories from when they played badminton in their youth, helping bridge generational gaps among attendees from the local area.
Local Businesses Donate Gifts to Reward Volunteer Scorekeepers
Local businesses in Brabrand and Aarhus supported the June event by donating gifts distributed via a lottery system. Contributors included the local Netto supermarket, Vinkælderen on Hovedgaden, the Boulders climbing gym in central Aarhus, and Café BIF. Organizers used the prize draw to reward participants who volunteered to keep score during the matches. “It is important that those who want to help count points are specially rewarded,” Kaihøj said. “It encourages us to help each other and creates atmosphere and motivation among the players.”
Kaihøj Plans Winter Events for Brabrand IF Badminton
Despite managing his studies in the final 3g year of upper secondary school, Kaihøj plans to maintain his high activity level within Brabrand IF Badminton. Alongside his weekly role coaching youth teams at Brabrandhallen twice a week, he plays competitive badminton at Viby Badmintonklub on Mondays and Wednesdays. Following the success of prior programs such as the New Year Camp, Kæmpe Holdkamp, and Lækker Lørdag, Kaihøj intends to bring back the multi-generational events and social tournaments for the upcoming winter season in response to member demand.
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