INTRODUCTION

The South African Badminton Union was formed in 1938. In 1939 it was accepted as a member of the International Badminton Federation. In 1998 the name was changed to Badminton South Africa.

The Federation consists of 14 Provincial Associations, and 13 Country Districts. Composite structures include Corporate Associations (United School Sport Association of South Africa, USSASA. South African Students Sports Union, SASSU. South African National Defence Force, SANDF. South African Correctional Services, DCS. and South African Police Services, SAPS.) Associate Associations (SA Veterans Association, SA Masters Badminton, SA Grand Masters Badminton, SA Silver Eagles Association, and SA Lower League Badminton Association.)

Our National Team competes on a regular basis in the following International Events. The Sudirman Cup, team competition, World Championships, Individual events. The Thomas Cup (men) and Uber Cup (women) Team competitions. Our Current World ranking (2003) is 37. The Continental competition is the All Africa Championships (team and individuals) Where we are ranked no 1

Our junior under 19 team participates on a regular basis in the World Junior Championships, and the All Africa Junior Championships (both these events are team and individual events). Our current world ranking (2002) is no 16 and Continental Championships (2003) No 1

 All these events are held on a Bi‑Annual basis.

Our domestic season is very full supporting 17 National Championships (team and individual events) accommodating players from Under 15 through to Silver Eagles (over 60 years). All the team events are gender equality.

Development, Juniors/Schools, Court Officials, Tournaments, Coaching and Selectors operate as Committees of the Federation. The National Executive Board as can be seen on the ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE appoints standing Committees.

 Development began as long ago as 1983 when the Northern Transvaal Badminton Association (Northern Gauteng Badminton) introduced the game to Mamelodi and Attridgeville.

The National Development Plan was introduced in 1994 when courses were conducted at National and local level. Badminton is a relatively unknown game in the disadvantaged areas due to the lack of publicity and media coverage.

At junior level, where our quota system has successfully been introduced, all provincial junior teams have players of colour participating. Currently we have players of colour participating at National level in juniors and seniors on merit. In the senior Provincial level the quota system has been implemented in the Lower leagues and SACD teams.

The game is currently played by approximately 6,439 registered players of all ages excluding students and scholars who are not all registered with the Federation. There are however some 4000 school children involved and tertiary institutions that are affiliated to SASSU. With the assistance of SCORE and the IBI7 progress is being made in the Western Cape. The major area of concern in developing the game is the sustainability of the clubs and getting the township clubs involved in the local league structures.

We are currently affiliated to the South African Sports Commission, National Olympic Committee of South Africa, International and African Badminton Federation. There are 153 Countries affiliated to 1131` and 28 to AB17.

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote Badminton in the Republic of South Africa, to enable all sections of the community to enjoy the benefits of the sport that offers so much to everyone who is interested in athletic recreation.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

See images below 

ORGANISATIONAL GOALS

4.1 To facilitate, promote, engage, advance, develop and generally to assist and protect the interests of the game of amateur Badminton throughout South Africa.

4.2 To arrange, control, regulate and finance the visits of South African teams or players overseas, either solely or in conjunction with the Governing Bodies of the country visited.

4.3 To arrange, control, regulate and if necessary finance the visits of overseas teams or players to areas under the jurisdiction of the Federation.

4.4 To make Badminton accessible to all communities.

4.5 To utilise all available Badminton courts to their fullest extent.

4.6 To develop the talent of all players to they're fullest potential.

REVIEW OF PREVIOUS AND CURRENT YEAR

Our National team did well in the Suderman Cup, played in Denmark, winning their section. Most recently (2004) the National team also won the Thornas/Uber Cup Africa pre‑limery team events. The women team beating Mauritius in the final 5 ‑ 0 (Uber Cup) and the men's team beat Nigeria 4 ‑ 1 (Thomas Cup). Our Junior National team won the Gold Medal at the All Africa Junior Championships in 2003 played in Egypt. In the individual events we won 5 gold and 3 Bronze medals.

In 2000 our National Lower League Championships became too big to handle and was split into two different Tournaments, namely the Woodroffe Cup and the Stravidis Cup played at different times and venues.

Michael Adams became the first player of colour to win our National Senior Singles Championships in 1999. Currently Dorian James came out of the junior ranks and is part of the National team in 2004.

Six of our players qualified to participate in the Olympic Games in Athens. This is the first time Badminton players have qualified for the Olympics on MERIT, satisfying NOCSA's criteria. Our Director of Performance will accompany the players.

The "More People Project" and creating of new clubs are current in progress and all Provinces and Country Districts should be completed by May 2005.

Sustainability of new form clubs and clubs in schools is still a problem. They all need support not only to participate in the local league structure but also to survive.

BADMINTON DEVELOPMENT CAN ONLY EXCEED IF ALL THE ROLE PLAYERS COME TO THE PARTY AND PARTICIPATES IN DEVELOPING OUR GAME.