Development

Monteiro running through some drills at the CoE with Coach Galeani (Photo: Badminton Europe)
Coach Silva: Everything now is bigger and better
Date: 11/28/2019 9:38 AM
Published by : Alan Raftery
This week at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Holbæk we have the SU5 Women’s Singles Camp for Para badminton. 

SU5 category are players who have impairment of the upper limbs. The players at the camp are aiming to train hard, with the dream to represent their country at the Paralympics. Speaking to one of the Portuguese coaches, Diogo Silva, accompanying his player and is here for the second time, we asked his thoughts on the camp this time around. 

- The first time that I was here, it was at the old facility. So now I can see the improvements of the facilities the CoE has made. Especially in terms of the residence and the hall. Everything now is bigger and better, Silva stated. 

Portugal have one player currently classified in SU5, Beatriz Monteiro, the recipient of the BEC Women in Badminton Scholarship last year. Asking to explain how he got involved in the camp. Silva responded.

- I heard about the camp in the Denmark Para badminton Open where we spoke with Badminton Europe who asked if we are interested in taking part. We immediately said yes because it would be a big opportunity for Beatriz to play against other top players in her category. Also, we get to experience the CoE, get to know how they work and learn what the top coaches do here. 

Chance to fight for a place at Tokyo 2020
There is a fun but busy schedule for players attending the camp. Asking Silva what key things they have been doing this week, he said.

- There were some nerves at the beginning of the week, but once the players got together and started to get to know each other, the sessions went well. We worked on some match play situations, technical drills with Italian Coach Enrico Galeani and there is a chance to do some work with the Centre of Excellence players, which is fantastic to have them share their experience with the players on the camp. 

Para badminton will feature for the first time at the Paralympics in Tokyo 2020, which is very exciting for the players and coaches. We asked Silva to comment on this big milestone in the sport.
 
- The Portuguese players just joined Para badminton in 2018, so it is great for us to join and then immediately have the chance to fight for a place at Tokyo 2020. It is a big motivation for everyone. 

There are three more Paralympic qualification tournaments taking place in Brazil, Peru and Spain. Asking Silva on his plans for these crucial tournaments, he explained.

- We will try to get our Portuguese players to play the South American tournaments. Spain is next to Portugal, so we will be there for sure. Our goal is to get our players to do their best at those tournaments. Our players are still young. We are in the middle of a learning experience, but also have the will to win some matches and fight for points. 

- I think the experience gained this week is important. Learning what the other players do, and what the coaches tell them. The little things that they can learn and take away to build on, will become a big improvement in the future. 

For more information about the Para badminton work that Badminton Europe does, click here. 

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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