Cultural changes needed at Badminton England – report

Badminton England must introduce “some fundamental cultural, behavioural, and procedural changes” in order to deliver its Olympic and Paralympic programmes, a report has found.

Badminton England (BE), GB Badminton and UK Sport commissioned the report.

It came after doubles partnership Chris Langridge and Marcus Ellis spoke out about their treatment during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic selection process.

The report has outlined six recommendations for change.

These included a need to improve safeguarding protocols, foster better relationships between individuals within the programme, develop clearer communication between all parties and integrate a world-class multi-disciplinary team to help with sport science, medicine and wider support.

In response to these recommendations – listed in full below – BE says it has ‘fully investigated’ the issues raised and has developed a 50-point plan, which includes the development of coaches, a female leadership programme, an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and mental health and safeguarding.

The report will not be published in full to protect the anonymity of the contributors. However, Pete Fitzboydon, interim chief executive of BE, admitted it made “tough reading”.

“It has equipped us with the insight we needed to create a world-class badminton programme with the return of UK Sport funding,” he added.

“A lot has been said in public and it has been quite personal. There’s an awful lot of hurt, both in the coaches and the players.

“[Mediation] is going well and we are confident everyone can be welcomed back into a happy training environment.”

Speaking to the BBC in July 2021, Langridge and Ellis said they felt they were “treated like dirt” and “stabbed in the back” when Ben Lane and Sean Vendy were chosen ahead of them for the men’s doubles.

The pair won an initial appeal but an independent panel decided the governing body had followed selection policy rules and the line-up was ratified by the British Olympic Association.

Of the report and findings, the players said: “The last six months have been the toughest of our careers, both physically and emotionally.

“We are pleased the report highlighted how the culture needs to change and that the Olympic selection issue was just the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“This is the first step in a long process to a better environment where players and staff can thrive. We’re looking forward to seeing the plan delivered and getting back to focusing on representing England on the world stage.”

Lauren Smith, who plays mixed doubles with Ellis at the Tokyo Olympics, told BBC Sport the report was important because the player-coach relationships had got to a point that affected respect with athletes feeling below coaches. “That made players feel voiceless and that’s not going to get the best out of athletes,” she said.

Ellis says he feels “ashamed” he did not speak out sooner as it was only until he was affected that he commented on issues but is “positive” about the changes being made.

Team GB did not win a medal in Tokyo in badminton, however Paralympics GB claimed a silver and a bronze.

UK Sport has invested significant funds, a combined amount of more than £4m for their Olympic and Paralympic programmes, for the Paris 2024 Games.