General

Jonassen to leave England
Date: 2/10/2013 7:51 PM
Published by : Manuel Røsler

BADMINTON England have already begun their search for a new GB singles coach following Kenneth Jonassen’s decision to return to Denmark after this summer’s BWF World Championships in China.

GB Performance Director Jens Grill said: “I will be sorry to see Kenneth go on both a professional and personal level. He has instilled a strong work ethic into our performance environment and has been a great influence on his fellow coaches within the GB structure.

“Kenneth is having to return home for family reasons and I completely understand his situation. I wish we could have kept him through the next important phase for GB Badminton but before he leaves, Kenneth is determined to sign off with us on a high note at the World Championships in China in the summer after which he will take up a new role with Badminton Denmark and we will wish him well.

“But the future is really bright for us and we are delighted with the impact that our new head doubles coach, Jakob Hoi, has made in such a short space of time where his presence has already been felt by the players in a very big and exciting way.”

Jonassen, a former world No.2 who has worked with the GB singles players in Milton Keynes since 2010, said: “I am sorry I cannot stay longer to finish what I have started but together with my wife, the family have decided that it was the right time to return to Denmark.

“I have enjoyed my time working with the GB squad, with the coaches and the staff here at the NBC and the responsibility given to me. I am also grateful for the investment into my personal development enabled by both Jens Grill and UK Sport.

“I will have been in England for three years after the World Championships this summer – three great years – and it will be a time I will never forget. ”

BADMINTON England Chief Executive Adrian Christy said: “Kenneth has made a huge impression on our programme and, apart from being a World Class coach with immense talent, he has been a great character to have around.

“Kenneth joined us at a time when the programme was going through a major transformation and it has emerged as one where our young players are developing into genuine future medal potential. He has instilled an ethic of continually striving to be better in both the players, coaches and support staff; a legacy that will enable the programme to achieve great things in the future.

“I respect his reasons for returning to Denmark and will always be grateful for the impact he has made with us. It is testament to his commitment that along with Jens and Jakob, he will help our search for his replacement and ensure that we achieve a smooth transition so the singles programme will remain unaffected as we build towards Rio 2016.”

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