Yet another Summer School has gone by and I keep being amazed with the unique combination this project offers. To see players as well as coaches with very different cultures socialize on and off court is a true joy to watch. Madrid turned out to be a great host town even when the heat was making the week even harder for everybody.
This year’s group was very ' alive' and the Spanish fiesta-atmosphere worked very well. The group was very keen to learn new things and was very open minded. I enjoyed my time here in Madrid.
I thank all of you for making this week one to remember!
by An Soenens (Belgium), staff coach
Final countdown for Badminton Europe Summer School 2011, all the efforts made by players, coaches and staff is well shown by the tired but very happy faces on another early start this morning in the warm Madrid.
With the non-usual schedule today, we start with training in small group’s session. With all the feedback in mind of the coaches they received during the week – the last session they are in charge of has better to be as good as possible. Go for it!
An extra optional session with ‘speed work’ and ‘active power-flexibility’ was driven by Peter and An, and a lot of coaches and players joined in.
All comes to an end and this year after 7 Summer Schools it has been like being at home, warm and everything under the sun in the lovely Madrid atmosphere.
Fun doubles tournament for coaches and players was at the main hall and we all got great fun together.
Just straight after dinner we have the big price ceremony with speeches from Joao Matos, Vice president of the Badminton Europe Council. As well as special warm and emotional speeches on and from Peter and Alan, who have been a big inspiration for all of us since a long time ago and now changing directions to others goals out of the SS. It has been great to have the funny couple (twin brothers Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger) every summer sharing their great experience and even better personal character with us!!
The night was long and dense, full of music and different stories and as always, always very special at Summer School.
by Fran Dacal (Spain), staff coach
Today was our last day in the group. I was already tired from the other trainings but it was funny. Afterwards I went to a course about flexibility given by An Soenens. In the afternoon we played a doubles tournament which I enjoyed a lot. I'm looking forward to the party tonight!
by Tessy Aulner (Luxemburg), player
Today was brilliant fun but was so sad because we know we have to leave tomorrow.
New friends, sun & fun – what more could you ask for? The whole experience has been AWESOME, I also need to mention the brilliant coaching and the fantastic variation of new skills I learnt.
I don't want to leave!!!!
by Lucy Nevin (Scotland), player
The Summer School here in Madrid is amazing. It was really funny but also very hot. The physical was tuff. Here were good coaches and also a lot of good players
I met a lot of new players. It was really a good experience for me.
by Julian Paulmichl (Italy), player
Today, I loved seeing Flore (Vandenhoucke – Belgium ) making push-ups when she lost against me and my cola (light ) tasted really good.
I have to say that yesterday at 1:35 I was caught in the wardrobe ….
I enjoy these days with all my coaches because they are so funny and they make us to smile when we were tired. I have to say that I love Rita's (Yuan Gao – Scotland) slices. Thank you for this week! I have learnt a lot!
A very very very tired girl
by Laura Primo (Spain), player
Today I woke again up at 7 o'clock (that's too early!)
So I was very tired! Then I had breakfast and training. After the training I was so tired.
I really enjoyed this week. It was funny but it was hard. I met interesting people and we had a lot of fun. This week I really laughed very much. But the only thing I really didn't enjoy was the square on the wall next to my bed because I always hit my head against it :-P
But I've learned very much and I now know where my limits are. Thank you everybody for this funny super week!!!
by Stefka Hargiono (Luxemburg), player
I had a wonderful week here in Madrid. I met a lot of crazy, funny, nice people and also a vampire (Maria Vijande – Spain). We trained very hard and I learned a lot! Thanks to the staff, coaches and off course Lina!
Today is the last day and I will miss everybody (especially Daniel Alvarez – Spain). Now we are chilling at the pool and everybody is looking forward to the party tonight.
by Flore Vandenhoucke (Belgium), player
The last day at the camp started with the last small group session where we worked on individual improvements. I am very happy about the week and it has been interesting to try and learn new things. Later today it will be a fun doubles tournament and then a party where the players can finally be awake as long as they want!
by Olafur Orn Guomundsson (Iceland), coach
WAW – WHAT A WEEK!!
A hard demanding week with lots of late nights planning but great fun and extremely rewarding.
I was very lucky to be in a city like Madrid – good weather, good facilities and great kids to work with. I will be glad to go home for some rest but sad to leave all the friends that I have made. Thank you for the opportunity!
Adios amigos! J
xx
by Siam Williams (Ireland), coach
I am very glad that I was part of this program as the first participant of Badminton Europe Summer School from Bosnia & Herzegovina. I want to thank everybody here for wonderful hosting and invitation to come here. The Summer School helped me tremendously to understand badminton better and receive great knowledge and many new friendships. Thank you!
by Igor Sesic (Bosnia & Herzegovina), coach
Today is the last day for the Summer School. We all had morning group individual session. Just before the lunch we had an hour extra work for the coaches to learn some speed train work. Afternoon players and coaches’ mix up had a big tournament.
This is the 2nd summer school for me. It was good for me to come back again that I have always learnt a lot coaching tips from the school. I wish players had a good time and improved their games.
by Rita Yuan Gao (Scotland), coach
Today is the last day of Summer School 2011. In the morning we have had the last session planed by coaches. I could see that the player have done some improvements on their goals we were working during the week.
It was a pleasure to learn from really experienced coaches. I saw a lot of new things and methods of teaching. Now I know also where I have to improve as a coach. For me it was the first Summer School, if I can, I will come back for another one.
by Kurt Sagmeister (Italy), coach
After a week filled with lots of badminton, and fun of course, we come to the last day. The morning started with a small group session with six players, followed by an extra education session for speed work.
Lunch followed, which was more enjoyable than usual as the Spanish players had to serve us, as punishment for being naughty (and getting caught!) last night.
This is my first Summer School. I learnt a lot, and made lots of new friends. I also realize how much more I´ve got to learn! The staff coaches and their helpers also deserve special praise for organizing all this, and making it such fun.
by George Camilleri (Malta), coach