Serving up success: how Anglesey Primary’s badminton club is fuelled by the Feeding Brighter Futures grant

When Anglesey Primary School in Birmingham received a request from year 6 pupils to run a Badminton club, it was music to the ears of school Business Manager, Brian Baughan. A keen badminton player himself, he was keen to take a lunchtime club and turn it into something bigger.  As the informal lunchtime games began to be a regular Friday activity amongst year 5 and year 6 pupils, he realised there was an opportunity to do something more for pupils. 

When talk of an after-school club saw requests to join surge, Mr Baughan started to look at ways to support the growth of the club with access to coaching and equipment that could benefit the wider school community. 

At around the same time, The Greggs Foundation was opening up applications to the first pilot phase of the Feeding Brighter Futures programme for schools.  Feeding Brighter Futures aims to build on the success of the Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club programme by creating equal access to opportunities for all children through after school clubs, holiday clubs and school trips. 

Seeing the potential to create a lasting impact with access to sport, Mr Baughan submitted an application and was thrilled when it was successful, securing more funding than expected.  Mr Baughan sought the expertise of Badminton England to purchase equipment and set up the club for children.   

The grant enabled Anglesey Primary to:

• Purchase equipment: With guidance from Badminton England, the school invested in quality badminton gear and joined national development schemes.

• Launch Shuttle Stars programme: This tailored initiative from Badminton England supports primary-aged children to develop skills like agility, coordination, and accuracy, laying the foundation for future champions.

• Hire a qualified coach: The grant can support professional coaching for after-school clubs, ensuring structured, high-quality sessions for the children

• Plan for sustainability: Mr Baughan aims to qualify as a coach himself, reducing long-term costs while maintaining professional standards for the children in the future

The benefits of the initiative reach well beyond the confines of badminton itself. Children at Anglesey Primary now have access to a sport with professional coaching to help improve fitness, coordination, and confidence. Aspirational opportunities have also flourished thanks to the partnership with Badminton England.  Pupils were invited to attend a Birmingham badminton event and have also received an invitation to the prestigious Yonex All England Championships - experiences which help to broaden their horizons and nurture ambition.

Ultimately, the commitment of Mr Baughan to creating new opportunities for children in the school illustrates how Feeding Brighter Futures funding can transform a simple idea into a sustainable programme that enriches children’s lives. By blending sport with a strong sense of community spirit, Anglesey Primary is opening doors to opportunities that stretch far beyond physical activity.  It is hoped that longer-term, the grant will open doors to creating a club for the wider community to enjoy. 

As Mr Baughan notes, “What began as a simple pupil request to try something new has grown significantly but funding is necessary to turn these ideas into reality for students who may not otherwise have access to extracurricular activities. Grants like this can greatly expand our offerings and show what can be done in schools in terms of supporting children into the sport, irrespective of their backgrounds or the area in which they live.

“It is a great opportunity for our school and an even greater opportunity for our pupils.”