Frequently Asked Questions

1. Junior badminton and getting started

  • Children can join Essex Badminton Academy from 4 to 17 years old. We offer age- and ability-appropriate sessions to help young players develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of badminton.

  • Not at all! We welcome complete beginners as well as experienced and advanced players. Our sessions cater for a range of abilities, so there is a suitable starting point for every player.

  • New players are welcomed by our coaching team and integrated into the session. Players are organised into smaller groups according to their ability, allowing our coaches to provide appropriate challenges and exercises. Each session is carefully planned to help every player learn, improve and enjoy their training.

  • We consider your child's age, ability and previous experience. Our coaches assess players throughout their trial session to help determine the most suitable group within our programme.

  • Absolutely. Player development is central to our approach. We review our programme monthly and assess opportunities to move players into more advanced groups as their skills and experience develop.

  • Our groups are structured around a combination of age, ability and experience. This allows us to provide suitable training for players at different stages of their badminton journey, from beginners through to competitive players.

    For the latest information about individual groups, please visit our session schedule.

  • We operate maximum capacities to help maintain effective coaching and a positive training environment. Most sessions accommodate up to 24 players, while our invite-only Performance squads have a maximum of 18 players. Capacity varies depending on the session format and number of courts available.

  • Players should wear comfortable sports clothing and non-marking indoor trainers, and bring a water bottle and badminton racket if they have one. We can lend rackets to first-time players, although we recommend having their own racket for regular training.

  • Yes. Parents are welcome to watch their child's training session. We kindly advise parents not to interfere to allow the children to concentrate.

  • We want every player to feel welcome, included and comfortable at EBA. Our coaches aim to create a supportive environment where children can develop their skills, build confidence and make friends while enjoying badminton.

2. Fees, trials and membership

  • Our monthly membership fees are:

    • Shuttle Stars: £60 per month.

    • All other junior sessions: £70 per month.

    • Joining fee: £10 per member.

    The joining fee covers onboarding and GDPR-related administration.

  • Yes! New junior players can attend their first session free of charge. This gives your child an opportunity to experience our coaching and training environment before joining.

    Please note that free trials are not available for Performance sessions, which are invite-only.

  • Booking is simple. Visit our website, select Book a Free Trial, choose the session you would like your child to attend and follow the booking instructions.

  • Membership payments are collected monthly through GoCardless direct debit. Fees are spread across the year, so your monthly payment remains the same even in months with five weeks.

  • Yes. We are unable to offer refunds for sessions missed due to personal circumstances, including illness or holidays. Please refer to our membership policy for full details.

  • You must provide one month's notice to cancel your membership. Memberships cannot be paused.

  • If a session reaches capacity, we operate a waiting list. Please email contact@essexbadmintonacademy.com to register your interest.

  • An optional academy shirt is available to purchase through our website or by speaking to a member of staff. Other optional expenses, such as personal rackets or tournament entry fees, may apply depending on your child's activities.

3. Coaching, player development and competitions

  • Our coaches are fully qualified, DBS-checked and hold safeguarding qualifications. They also compete at a high level on the badminton circuit, bringing valuable playing experience and technical knowledge to their coaching.

  • Yes! EBA supports players who wish to compete in Badminton England tournaments, county competitions and the national circuit. We help players prepare for competitions and navigate the tournament entry process.

    We also organise our own tournaments sanctioned by Essex County Badminton and Badminton England, providing additional opportunities for players to experience competitive badminton.

  • Not at all. While we support players who want to compete, there is no pressure to enter tournaments. Children can attend our sessions simply to enjoy badminton, improve their fitness, develop their skills and build confidence.

  • We review our programme monthly to identify opportunities for players to progress into more advanced groups. We also provide individual feedback and formal progress reports to parents, helping you understand your child's development and achievements.

  • EBA combines structured player development pathways, ability-based training groups, experienced coaches and a welcoming community. Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or working towards competitive badminton, our aim is to help every player develop and achieve their potential.

    Our motto is Play. Develop. Achieve.

  • Yes. We offer private one-to-one badminton coaching for players looking for more individualised training. Please email contact@essexbadmintonacademy.com for availability, prices and further details.

  • Player welfare is important to us. Our coaches are DBS-checked and hold safeguarding qualifications, and we have a designated safeguarding lead. We also follow relevant Badminton England safeguarding policies.

4. Locations, schedules and cancellations

  • Our sessions take place at Sylvestrian Centre and Isaac Newton Academy. Please check the session schedule for the venue of your chosen group before attending.

  • Please visit our session schedule on the EBA website for the latest information about session days, times, age groups and training levels.

  • If a session is cancelled by EBA or cannot take place due to venue availability, members may be offered a refund, account credit or a replacement session.

  • Our adult badminton sessions are not currently available. We plan to introduce adult sessions next year, so please keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

  • Women-only sessions are not currently available. We hope to introduce them next year and will share further information when plans are confirmed.

OUR SESSIONS
BOOK FREE TRIAL