Author: Frank – Ferenc Szekely

Let me tell you a story about an athlete who was promoted to a stronger group long before anyone around them understood why. People probably will start analysing that, they will compare the player to others, they will be confused. They saw only what their eyes could measure, and they miss everything that truly matter.…

A well deserved explanation for our players and parents at Sunrise Badminton Network One of our talented young players, who are attending many other sessions and see different coaching attitude from me, recently asked, “Coach, why don’t we do pushups at the end?” A great question, and the kind that shows curiosity, ambition, and a…

What the Network achieved in the first 5 years, 2020–2025 In the first phase, the goal was simple. Build a sustainable badminton network in Warrington and offer consistent training opportunities for juniors, five days a week. This was not only achieved, it was exceeded. The network grew into a six days a week operation, on…

Learning has no single best practice, only teaching might have. Every child decides how they want to learn. Most children follow the training structure we give them, but some will not, for many different reasons… personality, confidence, attention, energy, or simply the way they process information. Does that mean they are bad students and should…

A message for girls, and a reminder for parents of future County players about strength. In badminton, girls are watched for everything. For how they move, how they react under pressure, how they cope with mistakes, how they rise again. Somewhere along the way many girls begin to believe that strength is something dangerous for…

What this really means when a player is selected in badminton In badminton, selection is always seen as an opportunity, a reward for hard work, a sign of progress, a moment to feel proud.But the truth is deeper: the opportunity is responsibility. They come as one package. The moment you are chosen to represent something…

(A light-hearted look at my playing/coaching instincts) Every coach has a natural style. Some coach like teachers, some like analysts, some like motivators.I recently realised, with a smile and a raised eyebrow, that my own tactical instincts seem to line up surprisingly well with… the Huns. Yes. The ancient horse-archer warriors. And yes… I’m Hungarian.…

I coach the way I do because I remember exactly how it felt growing up when not many people took me seriously, not many believed in me, not many trusted, valued or respected me as a player or even as a person. That experience shaped something in me, not bitterness, but a determination to build…

1. Every Child Arrives With Their Own Movement Pattern When a child walks into a session for the first time, I’m not looking for skill or technique. I’m watching how they move. Over the years I’ve learned that every child brings a completely unique movement pattern, something they never learned from badminton, something no coach…

The Shires League is meant to be one of the most important foundations of junior County badminton. It is where children begin the journey from local leagues toward BE competitions. Currently, badminton parents are the primary support for young players during Shires League fixtures, simply because they are the ones consistently present. County coaches are…

So I had this tiny idea: “Hey, AI, make me a manga-style, black-and-white drawing of a badminton player. Focused. Ready.” You know — just a normal request. Nothing weird. Nothing extreme.Just a humble shuttle warrior, getting ready to receive a shot. What did I get? Well… let me walk you through this Picasso-misfueled fever dream.…

Everyone wants to train athletes who listen, who focus, who want to win – because at first glance, that’s what people see on the world stage. But those players and coaches who make it there have earned their place. It didn’t happen by coincidence. It came through resilience, passion, and a lifelong hunger to learn.…

I recently read about the 17 key visual skills that shape how we see and respond to the world. It made me wonder – How many young badminton players struggle not because of poor technique, but because their eyes and brain aren’t yet working together as efficiently as they could? We often focus on fitness,…

Ever spent an entire weekend at your child’s badminton tournament, only to realize you never actually saw anything beyond the sports hall? Also looking for ways to help your child reduce anxiety and stay focused during tournaments? Check out this guide on how to handle the tournament weekends. When the travel time is more than…

Dear Parents and Badminton Enthusiasts, Every week, hundreds of thousands of people across the United Kingdom enjoy playing badminton, for the fun, the friendships, and the challenge it brings. As one of these players, I’m proud to be part of this community. When I play, I also scan how people move on court: What helps…

Girls are always watched. But they are not only watched for how they look. They are watched for what they are capable of, how they face difficulties, how strong they are – mentally first, then physically. In high-performance sport, this gaze becomes constant. Every movement, every decision, every reaction is seen, judged, and remembered. As…

Dear Parents, Your child has talent – but talent alone is never enough. The truth is simple: without consistent work, courage, and commitment, progress will stall – maybe as soon as next year. Badminton in England is getting stronger, but so are the standards. Other nations like Indonesia, Denmark, China, they build success through daily…

“Resilience is mental, resilience is physical, resilience is technical, resilience is tactical. Resilience is multi-dimensional.” In junior badminton, persistence starts when a player decides: I will not give up – I’ll finish that drill. Perseverance grows when they keep showing up week after week, refining the same footwork. And resilience emerges when they’ve pushed their…

The journey from “first club session” to “representing your county or country” is exciting — but it’s also full of little traps that can slow progress or halt motivation. Parents, players, and coaches each play a key role, and even small mis-steps can make a big difference. Below is a friendly guide to the most…

I would like to share a visualization of the junior pathway I’m currently working on to help you better understand what the journey might look like. I know it can be overwhelming at times, especially when you’re hearing different – and sometimes even contradictory – advice on how to start or what to do next.…

Level 1 – Beginner 1 (First Steps on Court) Level 1 is where the journey truly begins. The player has just started learning how to handle a racket and move on the court. At this stage, the focus is not on winning points or competing. It is about discovering the basic feel of the game.…

Every journey starts with curiosity. Before the first serve, before the shuttle contacts with the strings first time, there’s a spark — a moment of interest. That moment is Level 0 — the Spectator level. At this stage, someone hasn’t yet played badminton. They might have watched a match on TV, Decent players played live…

During a recent session of the Network, I had to explain to one of my students what I mean by ‘levels’ in badminton — so I thought it was the perfect time to create this article. If you’ve ever tried to understand where you fit in badminton, you’ve probably heard the same old labels: beginner,…

Imagine a child with a burning dream—so passionate that they’d do anything to reach it. That level of devotion, channeled with the right support, is golden. This “contract” is designed for those young athletes who already know they want to become a badminton competitor, yet aren’t sure exactly how to get there. This contract doesn’t…

Get in touch to find out your options for a tailored coaching experience with Frank sunrisebadminton@coachfrank.uk Or Whatsapp to Frank directly: 07463633445 // Whatsapp link: wa.link/6fuwti

“A player is as good as much he/she can maintain trust in his/her own technique under pressure.” 1-2-1 coaching is for the ones who want to develop their own technique, tactics, or mentality to become stronger players. No matter what level you are, we will find a way to develop your current style. Singles coaching…

These are the locations where Coach Frank has sessions or coaching for the team