I don't know what it's like in other parts of the UK but social clubs in London can be very snobby regardless of their ability.

There are very few clubs for children to learn the game and from what I've seen the coaches tend to concentrate on the better players and give little time to beginners.

I'm not sure Badminton is on the school curriculum but if it is sport teachers are poorly qualified to educate youngsters.

I don't like the lack of TV coverage but I can understand it, unless you've played badminton it's hard to appreciate a lot of what happens on court and it's so fast the commentators can't be blamed for not giving a laymans explanation.

I play at a lot of different clubs and the only young players I see either have an Asian background or have parents who play, usually both.

Universities seem to have very good coaching but even our best players are 8-10 years behind Asia.

I wonder if there's a forum in Malaysia/China/Indonesia etc like this, moaning that their youngsters don't get enough football or rugby training ?

I have friends and family in teaching and I know for a fact that a key factor in school sports is to promote team spirit and that whole sense of working together, perhaps badminton doesn't suit that agenda for the powers that be.

An interesting topic indeed… I would like to add a couple of penneth worth. When I see the English players playing in tournements they don't look like they have the confidence or the mental strength of the other top contender countries. Often a good start is squandered through silly unpressured mistakes and as the games get to the later points after say 15 it is almost like it is easier to lose than win (which I am sure it is). But that toughness to plough through until the job is completed seems to be missing. Whether that is relaxing too much and losing focus when in the lead or hoping for mistakes from the opponent rather than taking the game but the scruff of the neck who knows? There is ability but I don't think there is much belief!

On another note, does the county system work as well as, say the Danish league structure? The league structure may bring in more money and sponsership as well as air time on the media but how would you get something like that started? I have spoken to a few county players and there does seem to be a very lazy attitude towards it. Can't be bothered to travel, don't want to play just one discipline etc… I think it should be a very big honour to play for a county but I got the impression that wasn't considered very important and people were just going through the motions. If this is the vehicle for junior development those attitudes need to change.