Coach Ben Huggard

 

✔ 2023 Coaching Registration Certificate

✔ Working with Children Check

✔ Badminton Australia Foundation Coach

 

About Ben:

  • I first started playing badminton in 2003 in the backyard and on the beaches at Wilsons Promontory when I was a teenager. Badminton was the only sport I could beat my stepbrother at, so I instantly loved it.

    I joined the Seaford Badminton Club in 2005 where I met Alan McMurtrie and John Blackmore. Alan regularly drove me to and from Mornington for several years to play with Balcombe Badminton Club players until I passed my learners. I joined Mornington Peninsula Badminton at Somerville Recreation Centre in 2006 where I started in the section three competition.

  • Badminton is my life. I volunteer 50 plus hours each week to grow badminton on the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston areas. I play badminton 5-7 days per week, spending 25 hours on the court, playing socially, competitively, coaching students and training with Hung Pham at Unique Badminton Centre.

    I have been the Club’s President since 2019 rebuilding the Club from 30 players to now over 450 members. In 2023 I stepped away from my corporate job to continue my passion for badminton. I’m now living on peanuts but loving life.

  • l enjoy getting out in the sun and mowing the lawn. Mum has passed on her green thumb, and we have the best lawn and garden in the street. I also enjoy cycling on the Peninsula’s bike paths and flying my drone, taking some amazing arial photos.

Coaching history:

  • l have been coaching students since 2019. Most of my coaching experience has been in the development of our Club’s Coaching Program, establishing all the administrational framework to execute the huge growth in junior badminton since 2021. Recruiting new coaches, recognising potential player talent and qualities in character to up their skills to qualify as a coach and working with students to grow as people. I qualified as a coach in October 2022.

  • I love the moments when students return shuttles with sharp execution or great power and I stand on court taken aback, applauding their shot.

    When we expanded and relocated our Thursday night coaching program to Frankston High School, I held back tears when all eight courts were filled with students and the stadium was buzzing with parents and coaches.

  • I’ve been playing badminton regularly since 2006, in fact, I’ve only missed one competition night in 17 playing years! #commitment. I have been training weekly with Hung Pham since 2020 and enjoy the challenge of being pushed beyond my limit. Hung’s training has helped me claim #1 position for our Tuesday night competition. I have completed the Badminton Australia ShuttleTime Coaching and Foundation Coaching Courses.

  • I hold a great amount of respect and appreciation to Alan McMurtrie for driving me to and from badminton for nearly five years as a teenager. I wouldn’t have developed my love for badminton and the Club likely wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for Alan’s kindness and generosity. I can’t thank Alan enough, so I’ve passed on his kindness and I now regularly drive players to our Somerville competition, hoping one day this is passed on again.