This year the number of training sessions for badminton has  increased from once to twice per week, which I am sure the coach is very happy about. Now we look at the players and ask them of their first impressions of the team and how they like to play the sport. 

QQ: What are your impressions of the team this year?

Mars H: After a few years with the team I feel it is very well rounded. A lot of good players have left but we are left with some decent players that have some experience.

Keith C: The school badminton team is filled with a few experienced players and there are a lot of players who are eager to play and improve. Most players here are well rounded and are able to hold long rallies.

Ryan X: It’s a very friendly and supportive team, and all of us have fun and enjoy each other’s company during all of the training.

QQ: How do you like to play the sport, as I have heard that play styles vary drastically by player?

Mars H:  I usually play backcourt and I enjoy either smashing when comfortable or dropping the shot. If there is someone strong in the front, I choose to clear it to the other backcourt.

Keith C: I often adopt a very aggressive play style when playing doubles but adopt a passive playstyle when playing singles. When playing more aggressively, I like to serve to the end of the court to get my opponents to lift the shuttle to our side. If the shuttle is at a good height I will normally take advantage of this and try to smash on open areas of the court. I am normally very flexible with smashing and will often move towards the shuttle and attack. When playing singles, I will prioritise defence and make sure to play short and position the shuttle in corners. Only when given a good opportunity will I choose to play offensively.

Ryan X: I usually find myself utilising the front court more through drops and net play, but I try my best to adapt when I can.

QQ: Is it worth playing Badminton at SIS?

Mars H: SIS badminton for seniors used to be worth it, as there were lots of people who enjoyed badminton and were very skilled. Our coach is very  experienced and great at teaching the sport she enjoys. But now, you could probably find a other clubs in Stockholm when you get better.

Keith C: Yes, when I first joined I felt very welcome as the badminton team is a nice community where people are passionate about playing badminton. The coaches and staff are very helpful and are eager to develop our skills. The people here are very nice and it is fun to play with them despite playing only an hour. 

Ryan X: Yes, our coach is very friendly but also professional and experienced. Joining the team is also a good way to get to play with other schools in tournaments such as the Nordic League.

What does Head coach of the badminton team, Sigrid R have to say about the 2024/25 season? 

Sigrid R: I believe we have a lot of potential this year, especially at the middle school level, as our group has grown significantly compared to previous years. It’s truly exciting to see so many students enthusiastic about playing badminton. I’m pleased to see more girls joining the team this season, which has been a challenge in the past. Encouraging more girls to get involved has been a long-term goal, so witnessing their increased participation now is rewarding. At the upper school level, the players have consistently shown dedication and competitiveness. I feel a special sense of pride for those who have been with us since the beginning—their progress over the years has been outstanding, and they now serve as excellent role models and benchmarks for others to aspire to.

QQ: How has badminton changed from last year?

Sigrid R:  This year, we’ve made a few key changes to enhance our training approach. We’ve adopted a ’40-20 setup,’ where 40min of each session is dedicated to technical skills—such as footwork, shot accuracy, and net play—while the remaining 20 minutes is focused on gameplay, giving players the chance to apply what they’ve just practised. Additionally, we’ve introduced an extra training session on Tuesdays, which gives us more time to focus on individual skill development. I keep a small journal online offering players the option to go over or track the skills we cover each week. This provides them with more structured materials and resources to reinforce their learning.

QQ: What do you expect from the coming year?

Sigrid R: We have more tournaments lined up this year compared to last, so my focus is on building a comprehensive skill set that covers everything from front and backcourt movements to net play, drop shots, and drive shots. Alongside improving their positioning, defence, and overall strategy, I’m thrilled to see badminton gaining popularity within the school. I’m committed to supporting the players as they continue to grow, learn, and enjoy the sport. Our motto for the year is ‘play smart, not hard,’ which emphasises the importance of strategy and thoughtful play over sheer physical effort.

Well there you have it.  The badminton players seem very happy about the sport, their team and their coach seem happy with the team so far and are optimistic about the future of SIS Badminton. There are many tournaments to come for the SIS badminton team – all of them in the second second half of the year so keep reading the QQ to get reading the QQ to get updated about  the sports scene at SIS.