The 31st edition of BEC Summer School has started under a dazzling sunshine, even when we had to miss out on the jokes of Peter and Alan [the main staff coaches from the previous editions]. The temperature was rising to extremes which made this years' BEC Summer School kick off in a relaxing atmosphere.

On Saturday, there was the traditional openings ceremony led by Badminton Europe Development Manager Marie-Anne Midy and the local organisers Dusan and Matevz. This was followed by the orientation run for the players and a first introduction session for the coaches.

Sunday is the first official on-court day. In the morning there was a getting started session for the players and at the same time the coaches were thrown into their first real coach education session. It was clear that players, coaches as well as staff were very much up for this week. Lots of smiles, lots of good discussions and a nice vibe in the hall.

Players quickly understood that if they were late or forgot their name tag a consequence followed... and let us be clear, this also counts for coaches and staff... Luckily the heat was not so present today as the first day is one of the hardest for the players.

In the afternoon, the camp tournament was scheduled. Who would have the honour of opening the dance floor at the goodbye-party with the Champions’ Dance? There were some close games and a good & fighting spirit but it was Kristin Kuuba from Estonia who fought her way to the top, and to the dance floor as she beat the Austrian Karin Seebacher. Once the girls’ tournament was finished, the boys’ fight was even harder in order to deserve a dance with Miss Kuuba. It was a very close call but Stijn De Langhe from Belgium beat Leon Seiwald from Austria in a decent game. Even though both players were very tired after that long day, they managed to play a good game and showed some good persistence in their performance.

It looks like this year’s Summer School is off to a good start and I'm sure that it will be another memorable week for everyone.

Article by An Soenens, Staff Coach Coordinator of the current edition.

For pictures of the first day, click here.
For more information about the Summer School programme, click here.