Information Bulletin
11 April 2007
Badminton star Rita Gao in Shetland this weekend
The local badminton scene is due for significant boost this weekend, as national badminton champion, Rita Gao comes to Shetland for the first time.
Since moving to Scotland from China in 1999, Ms. Gao has won over 50 Scotland caps and amassed an impressive list of international title achievements, including topping the European rankings for Women’s singles in 2004-5. In February this year, she took the Scottish women’s singles title for the fourth time and the women’s doubles title for the sixth time.
Now aged 31, and still at the top of her game, Ms. Gao has recently decided to retire from overseas competition, and is now working with Badminton Scotland, the national governing body for the sport, to promote and develop badminton across the country.
During her visit to Shetland, Ms. Gao will be coaching junior players in local clubs and development squads, as well as playing in the Yell Open Badminton Tournament, the last local tournament of the 2006/7 season.
Chief Executive of Badminton Scotland, Anne Smillie commented – “We are committed to developing badminton at grass roots level, and I am certain that Shetland’s youngsters will derive a great deal of benefit from Rita’s expert coaching. With Glasgow hosting this year’s World Team Badminton championships, it is crucial to provide a platform for sustainable development for years after the event.”
Colin Grant, of Shetland Badminton Association, added – “This visit is a great coup for the sport in Shetland. Younger players in Shetland will undoubtedly learn from Rita’s wealth of badminton experience and they will see what can be achieved through hard work and training. There will also be a real spectacle of top-flight badminton on show at the Yell Open on Friday and Saturday.”
The visit to Shetland has been organised through Shetland Badminton Association and Badminton Scotland, with funding and assistance from the Sport and Leisure Service of Shetland Islands Council.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Rita Gao will be coaching juniors at the Clickimin Centre on Thursday (12th) evening, from 6pm before presenting the trophy for the Shetland vs Caithness County match at Scalloway School Games Hall at around 8.30pm.
Ms. Gao will also lead a junior coaching workshop at the Yell Leisure Centre from 3-5pm on Friday (13th) for junior badminton players in the North Isles.
The Yell Open Badminton Tournament will take place in the Yell Leisure Centre, starting with the Men’s and Ladies Singles events on Friday (13th) evening from 6pm onwards. The Men’s, Ladies and Mixed Doubles events will take place on Saturday (14th) from 9am.