The French Badminton Federation (FFBaD) conducted a para-badinton awareness event at Collège Guy Môquet in Saint-Benoît, Réunion Island, engaging over 100 students with practical workshops and a demonstration by French para-badminton player Marilou Maurel, FFBaD reported.
The event, which lasted four hours, brought together students from grades 6 through 2 who are part of the college’s badminton section. The college’s director and two physical education teachers, who are also badminton players, welcomed the FFBaD and league teams. This initiative comes on the heels of the college’s notable performance at the previous year’s French National School Sports (UNSS) badminton championships in Avignon, where the students represented Réunion Island exceptionally well.
Championship Success Paves the Way
At the 2023 UNSS championships, the students from Collège Guy Môquet achieved significant success. They won the national championship title in the “Establishment” category and secured second place in the “Shared Sport” category. The latter competition format teams two able-bodied young players with two players with a disability, highlighting the college’s commitment to inclusive sports practices.
Students Discuss and Practice With Maurel
The core of the intervention involved a series of practical workshops designed to introduce students to the different categories of para-badminton. French para-badminton player Marilou Maurel, a member of the national team, played a central role in these activities. The students first had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with Maurel, learning about her career, experiences, and life as a high-performance athlete.
Following the discussion, the students participated in hands-on ateliers, or workshops, structured as a practice plateau. These stations allowed them to experience the specific challenges and adaptations associated with various classifications of disability in badminton.
Workshop Details
The workshops were broken down by para-badminton classification to provide a comprehensive learning experience:
- Wheelchair Badminton (WH1/WH2): Students took part in a simulation exercise led by Marilou Maurel, who shared her personal experience as a wheelchair athlete.
- Lower Body Disability (SL3/SL4): Participants used a leg brace to simulate the mobility constraints associated with this classification, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges of movement.
- Upper Body Disability (SU5): A scenario-based exercise involved wearing an arm brace to understand the adjustments required for gameplay with an upper limb impairment.
- Hearing Disability (DA): An activity was conducted using noise-canceling headphones to simulate the experience of deaf or hard-of-hearing players. As a supplementary challenge, students then attempted to play for five minutes in complete silence.
Students Face Maurel in a Match
To conclude the event, the students had a unique opportunity to put their newfound understanding into practice. They faced Marilou Maurel in an informal match organized in front of all the pupils present. This convivial and highly appreciated moment allowed the young players to directly confront the level of play of a French national team athlete.
The exchange fostered numerous conversations around para-badminton and disability, both during and after the activities. According to the FFBaD’s report on the intervention, the students came to understand that while certain situations of disability can present difficulties in sports, they do not preclude the ability to play badminton. The key, they learned, lies in adapting one’s practice, movement, and playing habits.
Impact and Future Directions
This encounter provided a platform for students and physical education teachers alike to gain a new perspective on para-athletes, better appreciating their level of performance and athletic capabilities. The intervention was described as rich in discoveries and sharing, achieving its goal of educating and raising awareness.
For the FFBaD, the event served to showcase and transmit its educational tools. It stands as a clear example of the role badminton can play in sensitizing young people, evolving societal perspectives, and making sports accessible to everyone. The federation expressed its gratitude to Collège Guy Môquet for its hospitality and to the teachers for their ongoing support and work in guiding the students.
FAQ
- Who participated in the para-badinton event at Collège Guy Môquet?
- Over 100 students from grades 6 to 2, who are enrolled in the college’s badminton section, participated. The event was led by the French Badminton Federation and featured French para-badminton player Marilou Maurel.
- What achievements did the Collège Guy Môquet badminton team have prior to this event?
- The team won the French national championship title in the “Establishment” category and took second place in the “Shared Sport” category at the 2023 UNSS badminton championships in Avignon.
- What did the students learn during the para-badinton workshops?
- Students experienced the different para-badminton classifications through simulations, including wheelchair badminton, lower and upper body disabilities, and hearing impairments. They learned about the specific adaptations needed for each category.
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