Day two of Spokane’s Parks and Recreation Badminton Camp just came to an end. I am of course tired, but also some what excited by the kids and their enthusiasm about badminton life in general. Their whole lives are ahead of them and they are just starting to explore what they could do with them.

It’s always inspiring to coach kids, though often a huge challenge at the same time. Many of the kids at the camp knew very little about badminton, so while sharing the love of the sport was great, it was often hard from the logistics side to cater everything to both those more advanced kids and those who were picking up a racket for the first time. But that’s what coaching is all about isn’t it? Drawing out the best in each and every one of the kids you have, no matter their goals, or skill level. In the end, coaching and teaching is seeing potential in people and working hard to draw it out and build and develop skills and tools to help  each kid reach their potential, and whatever their goals may be.

Today there was a kid who obviously had a talent for following instructions well, and was super attentive and focused, he didn’t like the fun games or the playing, but I knew he when he did drills that he would listen carefully and never need to be told anything twice. Who knows where that focus and attentiveness will take him? Or one kid who was a kind of social peace keeper and really good at talking with people and engaging even the shyest kids. Badminton is another way to help him develop those skills, whether he uses them in badminton or some other place it life, it’s a tool and gift worth noticing, encouraging, and growing. 

There is a good chance none of the kids at the camp will be Olympians, or represent their country internationally. Though you never know who you may inspire to take it to the next level. At the end of the day I hope each kid learns a little more about badminton, and a lot more about working hard, interacting with others, and focusing and building skills for success.

Coaching isn’t training, but sometimes it is a good inspiration for me as I seek to chase my own dreams and reach my own goals.