BWF News

Humans of Shuttle Time: Didier Nourry

TEXT BY BWF STAFF

This is the 24th story in our Humans of Shuttle Time series, in which we present the perspectives of those who work on badminton development at the grassroots level. Didier Nourry, Shuttle Time National Coordinator of Guadeloupe, talks about his experiences with coaching and helping his community through badminton.

Childhood Days

When I was little, I lived on Réunion Island. I used to play a lot of sports, mainly football, handball and basketball.

I first saw badminton in Paris. It was a demonstration men’s doubles match with players who had taken part at the Olympics. I loved their display, and that’s what inspired me to start playing.

Didier Nourry

What Struck Me About Badminton

Two things struck me — speed and power. The players returned the shuttlecocks superfast, they moved fast, and with feints. And the jumps, smashes, defence – it was fabulous.

I started playing at the age of 15. I was number 15 in France in mixed and around 30 in singles and doubles. I also played some international competitions.

I have been coaching for about 15 years. I now live in Guadeloupe (an island in the Caribbean). My work consists of supervising the youth and older player selection, training of coaches, and creation of clubs. Three years ago I went to Jamaica to attend two training sessions and I became a Level 1 Shuttle Time coach.

Memorable Moments

There have been several moments that have stayed with me, such as having coached Brice Leverdez at important matches or the entry of a player into the French national centre, or meeting with Peter Gade.

But I will take the day when my team played the playoffs for the team championships comprising only the 12 best teams in France. We were in contention for the gold and we won it. I played a former international player who’d participated in the Olympics and in addition it was my birthday.

What Badminton Means

Badminton for me is passion. I discovered a sport which is complete, and I work at what I’m passionate about. Every day I wake up, I’m happy to go to work and I am aware that that’s not possible for everyone.

This job allows me to meet new people, to transmit values, to learn about myself, to support my family, to make me travel.

It’s a great opportunity for me to bring my experience to this new territory. I did not know Guadeloupe and I had to learn administrative strategies to succeed.

Learnings from Shuttle Time

Badminton is a sport widely practiced in schools, but teachers lack content. Some people don’t want to play badminton for fear of being wrong. Shuttle Time allows people to have fun content. This also helps teachers to supervise safely. It is a short training and very well organised.

I don’t know if this is the biggest lesson but with every Shuttle Time class I learn and I constantly question because with sharing it allows me to acquire other methods. So what I remember above all is that sharing is one of the great riches that badminton brings.