In the Coach’s Corner With Georgina Ward

February 29, 2024

Meet Georgina, a seasoned player and coach whose passion for badminton has left an indelible mark on the Irish badminton community. From her early days representing her province and country in underage competitions to her continued success as a master’s player, Georgina’s dedication to the sport knows no bounds.

Not only does Georgina excel on the court, but she also shines as a top-class coach, mentoring and guiding players of all ages and skill levels. Her commitment to coaching has seen her involved in coaching underage national teams for many years, culminating in a significant achievement in 2023 when she coached the U17 team to gold at the prestigious Portuguese international.

What motivated you to become a coach, and how did you get started in coaching female athletes?
I wanted to give back to my sport. My coaches growing up were great so I wanted to share my knowledge.

What coaching philosophy or principles do you emphasise to inspire and guide your team/athlete?
Enjoy, work hard, always learn.

Can you share a particularly rewarding moment or achievement you’ve experienced as a coach of a female team?
At the U19 Portuguese Open one of our female players won gold but another rewarding moment was when another female player was beaten badly in the first set and she came back to win. Great moment for the coach and player working together.

How do you approach building team camaraderie and fostering a positive team culture?
Always encourage and always listen and work together

In your opinion, what are the key qualities that make a successful female athlete, both on and off the field?
Hard worker, talented, good communicator

What challenges have you faced in coaching, and how have you overcome them?
Self-doubt but the people around me were great and I built my confidence back up.

How do you tailor your coaching style to the individual needs and strengths of your players?
A clean sheet for everyone. See who I have and what they can do and work a plan from there. I also listen to what the player wants too.

What advice do you have for aspiring female coaches looking to make an impact in the sports world?
As long as you enjoy it, keep going. Keep learning, listening and be confident in your abilities.