Performance Support

Contents

Badminton

Badminton is available to all at Birmingham. From our successful performance programme led by international coaches and our popular student club, to casual social play, the opportunities to get involved, have fun, and develop your game are vast. 

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Performance Badminton

Alongside access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert, international coaching staff, our performance athletes also have additional support, including strength and conditioning, and sports physiology and nutrition as part of our Badminton Performance programme.

 

ELITE DUAL CAREER ATHLETE PATHWAY (EDCAP) SCHOLARSHIP

EDCAP Scholars have access to the following: 

  • Financial award between £1500-3000, plus additional funding available via application
  • Access to a tailored support programme based on individual needs
  • Access to a range of specialist Performance Centre services
  • Unlimited access to physiotherapy and soft tissue therapy
  • High-level dual career support, including special consideration for academic flexibility
  • A reduced conditional offer by one A Level grade or equivalent for incoming undergraduates
  • 12-month full Sport & Fitness membership
EDCAP Scholarship Application

(DD/MM/YYY)

Please include your full postcode

(If applicable - 10 digit number in format 123-456-7890)

(e.g. Unconditional / ABB)

(e.g. Sport & Exercise Science, BC17)

Please select all that apply.

(Please note whether UK or Home Country and which age-group)

Please list your major achievements in your sport over the past two years, starting with the most recent. Please detail the year in which the achievement took place, your age at the time, the event, the standard of representation (e.g. club, county, international) and result.

To help us gain further insight to you as an athlete, please list your realistic performance goals for the next 12 months (up to 3):

Please specify level and dates.

Please specify level and dates.

Please specify amount and period of provision.

Please explain how receiving a scholarship will allow you to achieve your goals and which support services or part of the services do you think will be of most benefit to you.

University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness Privacy Policy
Performance Support

Membership Price

As part of signing up to a Sports Club you are agreeing to the Sport and Fitness Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Sports Club Code of Conduct and other UB Sport policies. Click here to head to Sports Club Benefits to read them.

£225 Performance yearly membership includes:  

  • BUCS Individual Entry fee paid for (subject to approved entry)
    Sport related equipment provided

  • Minimum of 2 hours per week coaching across 22 weeks

  • Minimum of 2-16 hours per week training over 22 weeks

  • Travel provided for BUCS related competitions

Extra – compulsory  

  • Match fees – £3 per game x 10 games
  • Trial – £7 per person per trial

Extra – not compulsory  

  • Christmas Meal
  • Social activity
  • Club Champs
  • BUCS Individual costs (confirmed at time of entry)
  • Individual club clothing purchased – varied on price
  • End of Year Awards

*This is an approximate list of what the club membership may include. This can change at any point, so please confirm with the club directly on what this membership includes.

First Team Scholarship

  • Weekly Strength & Conditioning sessions
  • Further guidance from expert coaches and practitioners
  • Financial support towards sport-related and general living costs
  • Relevant Sport Science and Sport Medicine support
  • A reduced conditional offer by one A Level grade or equivalent for incoming undergraduates
  • Extra on court flexible sessions around lecture timetable (individually arranged)

Register your interest

Do you currently play competitively and are interested in competing for/training during your time at the University of Birmingham? Register your interest below and your details will be passed on to our performance coach.

Register your interest
Badminton shot

UoB Student Badminton Team

University of Birmingham Badminton Club consists of over 190 members, ranging from national standard players who compete on the international circuit, to social players who enjoy playing on a recreational basis. We welcome all levels of players. The club consistently achieves excellent results and is amongst the top four of all the competing universities in the UK.

  • A total of 8 teams in BUCS
  • Men’s and Ladies’ 1s ranked in the top-6 teams in the BUCS Premier League
  • Opportunity to train every day!
  • Weekly Strength & Conditioning sessions
  • Access to two international coaches and expert input

Key Contacts

Head Coach: Lorraine Cole

Join us
Contact our Head Coach
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Facilities

14 Indoor Courts

Indoor courts are situated in our large Munrow Arena, featuring bleacher seats. The Sport & Fitness centre is a frequent host of national Badminton competitions.

Gym

Our state-of-the-art gym is available for all your strength and conditioning needs.

Training Times

  • Monday Afternoon
  • Tuesday Afternoon
  • Thursday Afternoon
  • Friday Morning
  • Friday Afternoon

Exact times will be confirmed by the club upon registration.

Competition Opportunities

8 teams compete in BUCS leagues ranging from Premier National to Tier 3. There are also multiple weekend league teams that compete locally and nationally.

UoB Lions Social Club

Our UoB Lions social club is open to all students and community players. 

All experience levels are welcome from social to competitive.

The social club has 60-90 members on 8 courts.

Our UoB Social Club runs twice a week and is part of our UoB Club programme for 22 weeks of the year – during terms 1 and 2. Times are:

  • Friday 7.30pm – 10.00pm
  • Sunday 10.30am – 1.00pm

 Members can participate in: 

  • Social Club Championships (singles, doubles and mixed)
  • UoB Team Club Championships
  • Nominated social members are part of the UoB club committee
  • Members have opportunities access to several coaching sessions throughout the year
  • Opportunities to progress to the Development Squad

West Mids Performance Club

Ask Lorraine for link for students / community to book.

Coaches

Lorraine Cole, Head of Badminton at University of Birmingham

Lorraine Cole

Head of Badminton

Email: [email protected]

Sporting History and Achievements

  • English Schools U17 National Javelin Champion
  • England Javelin Junior International
  • Worcestershire County Badminton Champion
  • England Badminton International Highest National Ranking 1 in mixed and 3 in ladies doubles
  • Highest European Ranking 1 in ladies and 1 mixed doubles.
  • Highest World ranking 10 ladies doubles and 12 mixed doubles
  • International Badminton Tournament wins
  • Irish open mixed twice
  • Mauritius Open ladies 
  • Mixed Czech Open ladies 
  • Mixed Slovak Open ladies 
  • Mixed Icelandic Open ladies

Coaching History and Achievements

  • Worcestershire County coach
  • England U19 National Coach
  • HPC Coach
  • GB Youth Olympic Coach
  • Sydney European Junior Champions Coach (2006)
  • Coach to World Junior Silver Medalist (2007)
  • Danish Cup Gold medal winners
  • Six Nations Gold medal winners

Anthony Clark

Badminton Coach

Email: [email protected]

Sporting History and Achievements

Professional Badminton Player – England & Great Britain (1996-2011)

  • Represented England in 106 international matches, captaining the national team (2003-2011)
  • Two-time Olympian (Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008)
  • Double World Championship Silver Medallist (2006) – Men’s Doubles & Mixed Doubles
  • European Mixed Doubles Champion (2008)
  • Nine European Championship medals and seven Commonwealth Games medals
  • Record nine consecutive English National Championship titles
  • Helped England secure its first ever Sudirman Cup medal (2007)

Coaching History and Achievements

National Coach – Badminton England (2017-2025)

  • Worked with the national performance system alongside coaches, practitioners, and performance staff
  • Supported athlete development across elite and emerging pathways
  • Contributed to learning environments through observation, discussion, and shared reflection
  • Played a role in maintaining performance standards and behaviours
  • Worked closely with multidisciplinary teams to support athlete progression

National Coach – Polish Badminton Association (2015-2016)

  • Worked within an Olympic performance programme supporting athlete preparation
  • Collaborated with coaches and performance staff in high-pressure environments
  • Contributed to performance planning, delivery, and review processes
  • Supported learning and reflection within the training environment

Looking for more ways to play?

Male Badminton player hitting the shuttlecock

Social Sport - Badminton

If you are interested in ad hoc recreational Badminton, we offer weekly social Badminton sessions as part of our Social Sport programme. Sessions will either be coached by a qualified coach, or ‘just play’.

Badminton

Community Badminton

West Midlands Performance Badminton Centre (WMPBC) are in partnership with the University of Birmingham and they deliver a high level Community Badminton Programme for County Players and Badminton England Senior and Junior Tournament Circuit players.

Players can also join UoB Lions Social club.

We also have a programme that caters for Junior Beginners and Improvers, please contact Lorraine Cole for more info.

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