Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, France – Students at Collège Roger Salengro in Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise recently participated in an impactful awareness day focused on badminton and the experience of playing sports with a disability. The event, held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, aimed to foster inclusion and understanding among sixth-grade students.
Approximately 150 students from six classes engaged in a series of workshops designed to simulate the challenges faced by athletes with disabilities. The initiative, now in its second year but the first specifically centered around badminton, prompted students to consider the sensations and adaptations involved in para-badminton. The day’s activities were funded by the department and reflect a commitment from the college’s physical education teachers to promote shared sports experiences.
The program featured four distinct workshops, each utilizing nine badminton courts. Students rotated through activities including wheelchair badminton, guided by Bruno and Marjorie representing badminton clubs from Arras and Béthune. Other workshops challenged participants to play with blindfolds, simulating visual impairment, with immobilized arms, and with noise-canceling headphones to experience the world from the perspective of the deaf and mute. These exercises weren’t about mastering badminton technique, but about empathy and understanding.
This event builds on a growing momentum for inclusive sports at Collège Roger Salengro. Just this year, the school’s badminton team achieved significant success in the sport partagé (shared sport) format. The team secured the academic championship in the Pas-de-Calais region, qualifying for the national championships in Troyes from May 27-29, 2026. The team also finished as the academic runner-up.
The “sport partagé” format, as practiced at Collège Roger Salengro, is a unique blend of competitive play and inclusivity. Matches involve a series of individual games with varying point structures and player compositions. These include a single game to 10 points for able-bodied players, a game to 20 points for players with disabilities building on the previous score, a game to 40 points for able-bodied men, a doubles game to 55 points for able-bodied players, a doubles game to 70 points for players with disabilities, and a final doubles game to 85 points featuring a mix of able-bodied and disabled players. Each team also includes a young coach and a young referee.
The success of the Roger Salengro team extends beyond regional competition. According to Archysport’s reporting from June 2025, the team secured a silver medal at the French National Badminton Championship in Mérignac, France, held May 21-23, 2025. The team demonstrated remarkable teamwork and determination in the inclusive competition, exceeding expectations and leaving a lasting impression on the tournament.
The format of the national championship is particularly noteworthy. Teams are comprised of a male player, a male player with disabilities, a female player, a female player with disabilities, and a doubles team consisting of one able-bodied player and one player with a disability. Each individual match is played to 15 points, with the team accumulating the highest total score declared the winner. The Salengro team’s path to the final included dominant performances in the group stage, defeating Montmorency (67-39), Olympe de Gouges (70-49), Jean Joudiou (65-56), and Jean Renoir (68-57).
The awareness day at Collège Salengro, and the success of its badminton team, highlight the growing importance of inclusive sports programs. These initiatives not only provide opportunities for athletes with disabilities but also foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of community among all participants. The program’s emphasis on shared experiences and mutual respect is a testament to the power of sport to break down barriers and promote inclusivity.
Looking ahead, the Collège Roger Salengro badminton team will continue to train and compete, representing their school and region with pride. The school’s commitment to inclusive sports promises to inspire future generations of athletes and advocates for accessibility and equality in sport. The next major event for the team is the national championships in Troyes, where they will aim to build on their previous success and further demonstrate the power of sport partagé.
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