Why This Tournament Matters for Women’s Badminton in France

This year’s ‘Girl Power’ event—organized by the Loire-Atlantique Sports Federation in partnership with the French Badminton Federation—marked a deliberate push to address gender disparities in the sport. According to a statement from the federation, only 28% of licensed badminton players in France are women, a figure organizers aim to reverse through grassroots initiatives like this tournament.

“We’re not just talking about participation—we’re talking about creating a pipeline for the next generation of female badminton stars,” said Marie-Laure Delcourt, president of the Loire-Atlantique Badminton Club, in an interview with Ouest-France. “Events like this give young girls the confidence to pick up a racket and stay in the sport long-term.”

Key statistic: The tournament saw a 30% increase in female registrants compared to 2023, with age groups ranging from U13 to senior divisions. The senior women’s doubles final, won by Élodie Eskénazi and Anne Tran, drew a crowd of 150 spectators—nearly double last year’s attendance.

Standout Performances and Rising Talent

The tournament highlighted several athletes poised to compete at higher levels. In the U17 girls’ singles, Léa Richard of the Nantes Badminton Academy advanced to the semifinals after defeating three seeded opponents, including Chloé Mairesse, a former national youth champion. Richard, who trains under Coach Jean-Luc Dubois, is now being scouted for France’s upcoming Badminton World Federation (BWF) Youth Series events.

In mixed doubles, the pairing of Lucas Corvée and Emma Mallet—both 16 years old—caused an upset by defeating a pair of experienced regional champions in the quarterfinals. “They played with such aggression and teamwork,” said Judith Meunier, a former French international, who served as a commentator for the event. “That’s the kind of chemistry you want to see at the elite level.”

Notable absences: Top-ranked French women’s singles player Kristina Dumont did not compete due to a shoulder injury sustained during the European Championships in March. However, her absence did not dampen the event’s focus on development, as organizers emphasized the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level.

How ‘Girl Power’ Aligns with France’s Badminton Strategy

The tournament aligns with France’s broader strategy to boost women’s participation in badminton, a sport where the country has historically lagged behind nations like China, Indonesia, and Japan. According to a 2023 report by the French Ministry of Sports, badminton ranks 12th in popularity among French women, trailing behind tennis, football, and athletics. To change this, the federation has launched three regional ‘Girl Power’ initiatives this year, with Loire-Atlantique serving as the pilot.

“We’re not just about medals—we’re about changing the culture around women in sport,” said Pierre-Yves Le Goff, the federation’s director of youth development, in a press release. “Badminton is an accessible sport with a low barrier to entry, and we’re using that to our advantage.”

Comparative context: In contrast, BWF data shows that women make up 42% of licensed badminton players in Malaysia and 51% in Indonesia, two nations with dominant women’s teams. France’s goal is to reach 35% female participation by 2026, a target organizers say ‘Girl Power’ events will help achieve.

What’s Next for These Athletes—and the Tournament

The top performers from Loire-Atlantique will receive invitations to the French National Youth Championships in October, where they’ll compete for spots on the national development squad. Meanwhile, the Loire-Atlantique Sports Federation has already announced plans for the fourth ‘Girl Power’ tournament in June 2025, with a goal of expanding to 150 participants and adding a para-badminton demonstration.

For fans looking to follow France’s rising stars, the next key event is the European Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria (July 15–21), where Léa Richard and other ‘Girl Power’ alumni will compete. The French federation has also confirmed that a women’s badminton showcase will be included in next year’s French Open, further integrating the sport into mainstream events.