Development Concepts
Development Principles
Development is about a systematic approach to growth and progress of the sport.
There are two dimensions to development activities – “more” and “better”.
The resourcing and focus of development activities may focus on “more” – more players, more coaches, more tournaments, more technical officials, more administrators and event managers – and/or on “better” – (better quality or a higher level) – better players, better coaches, better tournaments, better technical officials, better administrators and event managers.
Development in national badminton systems will work at different levels, emphasising “more”, “better” or a combination of these, as applied to a particular development focus.
Good Planning
Good long-term planning is central to getting the best out of our investment in development activities and the resources we put towards achieving particular goals.
“Development” works best through planned, structured and sustainable activities and actions which show improvements in:
- knowledge, skills and competencies of individuals (athletes, players, technical officials, administrators, event managers).
- structures and systems in our sport (governance and management structures, coach education systems, athlete training systems, event / tournament structures, athlete improvement pathways, communication systems and systems to service members, including training resources).
Outcomes
A planned approach ensures that we are able to 1) identify needs, 2) prioritize these needs, 3) decide on the focus and the objectives of development activities, and 4) determine quantifiable outcomes to assist us in evaluating the benefit of the activities – the return on the investment – time, people and dollars.
Needs-based, planned and structured development activities result in:
- better knowledge
- improved skills / competencies
- better understanding of, and approaches to, the way we work
- positive attitudes to change
- greater professionalism
- enhanced quality
- greater efficiency in how we do things
- better access to resources
- improved pathways for players, coaches, technical officials, administrators and event managers
- greater accountability and the ability to track outcomes / progress
- continuous improvement / progress.