Alt Text: "Project poster for Helping Children Play Badminton, featuring title, tagline 'Empowered by £500 from Tesco Stronger Starts, Sponsored by Swifties Badminton', Tesco and Swifties logos, and a text list of activities including coaching sessions, affordable equipment, and inspirational coaching
Helping Children Play Badminton: Powered by Tesco and Swifties

We’ve had many enquiries, and our help is not limited to the Sutton area—we’re passionate about promoting badminton everywhere! Contact us if you need any help or advice.

We’re thrilled to share that our “Help Children Play Badminton” project in Sutton has secured a £500 grant from Tesco’s Stronger Starts program, earning third place in the customer vote held from April to June 2025. We’re equally excited to highlight the generous sponsorship from Swifties, whose support is amplifying our efforts to bring badminton to more children. For over a decade, the Anglo Chinese Cultural & Sports Exchange Association has championed badminton, nurturing talents like England’s Junior No. 1 player, Oliver Wu, and inspiring juniors to embrace this vibrant sport. Here’s a look at our journey, current efforts, and plans to keep the shuttlecock soaring!

Swifties Lite Tube shuttlecock, cost-effective alternative to Yonex models like AS-50, AS-30

Swifties offers premium shuttlecocks directly to players and clubs as a cost-effective alternative to Yonex AS-50, AS-30, and AS-20, especially with rising prices—order now at swifties.co.uk!

Our Mission: A Decade of Badminton Passion

For more than 10 years, we’ve been dedicated to promoting badminton and encouraging juniors in Sutton to get active. Our mission blends physical fitness with cultural exchange, creating a welcoming space for children of all skill levels. From beginners to stars like Oliver Wu, we’ve helped countless young players discover the joys of badminton. Through social media, we share the sport’s benefits, reaching families far and wide.

Oliver Wu: Shining at All England at 18, Reaching the Quarter-Finals and England’s Junior No. 1, Holding Swifties Shuttles
Oliver Wu: Shining at All England at 18, Reaching the Quarter-Finals and England’s Junior No. 1, Holding Swifties Shuttles

See our latest posts for inspiration:

What We’ve Achieved: Building a Badminton Community

Our work has fostered a thriving badminton community in Sutton:

  • Regular Fun Sessions: We host sessions several days a week, inviting juniors to learn, play, and grow in a fun, supportive environment.
  • Affordable Equipment: We offer discounted rackets and shuttlecocks, and may provide free used shuttles, making badminton accessible to all.
  • Connecting Families: We assist children and parents in finding local junior clubs and qualified coaches to continue their badminton journey.
  • Promoting Benefits: Our social media campaigns, like those on badmintonrestrings.co.uk (Why Children Should Play Badminton), instagram, highlight how badminton boosts fitness, mental wellbeing, and social skills.
  • Inspirational Coaching: We’ve invited Xu Huai Wen, former World WS No. 1, two-time Olympian, and European Champion, Olympian Toby Penty, former England No 1, and former national coach Stuart Wardell to inspire and coach our children, enriching their badminton experience
Group of badminton children from China playing and being coached with local children, organized by the Anglo Chinese Cultural & Sports Exchange Association, featuring all children
Badminton Event: China and Local Children in London including few Sutton players.
World champion and former Chinese national team head coach Li Yongbo carrying Oliver Wu with boys around
Guess Who Li Yongbo Is Carrying?
Olympian Toby Penty present medals to our junior champion Gordon
Olympian Toby Penty present medals to our junior champion Gordon
Xu Huai Wen, former World WS No. 1 and two-time Olympian, at our event inspiring children
Xu Huai Wen Inspires Our Young Players
Former national coach Stuart Wardell coaching our children
Stuart Wardell Guiding Our Young Talent
junior Dillon present medal / prices to our champions
junior dillon present medal / prices to our champions
Children enjoyed at our badminton events with t-shirts signed by world champions
Children enjoyed at our badminton events with t-shirts signed by world champions
Juniors in our sessions
Champions: 2nd right, played with us since his junior time, Goldie 1st right, and Gordon 3rd right, both juniors have been our champions
Olympian Toby Penty has also lent his support to our mission, motivating and encouraging our junior players to excel (2nd rigth, Junior player Eden)
Champions and Runners-Up with Our 10-Year-Old Star Dillon

What We’re Doing with Tesco’s Grant and Swifties’ Sponsorship

The £500 Tesco Stronger Starts grant, combined with the incredible sponsorship from Swifties, is transforming our project. Swifties’ support is pivotal, providing resources to expand our reach and inspire more children. Here’s how we’re using these funds:

  • Upgrading Equipment: Purchasing budget-friendly, good-quality rackets and shuttlecocks to ensure every child has the tools to play.
  • Expanding Sessions: Enhancing our weekly coaching sessions with expert instructors, welcoming more juniors aged 5–18.
  • Community Engagement: Hosting workshops and events in Sutton to engage 50–100 children, fostering teamwork and cultural exchange.
  • Affordable Access: Continuing to offer discounted equipment and potentially free used shuttles, thanks to Swifties’ backing, to remove financial barriers.
  • Video Analysis: Introducing Video Analysis by World-Class Coaches—now available! Visit playbetterbadminton.com for more details.
Swifties shuttles cocks adorned with gold medals
Swifties Shuttles: Gold Medal Winners, Order Online: swifties.co.uk

What’s Next: Join Us and Support Our Vision

Our “Help Children Play Badminton” project will run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, with sessions on weekends and select weekdays. We invite juniors in Sutton to join our sessions and experience the thrill of badminton. Parents can reach out to find local clubs or coaches tailored to their child’s needs.

We’re also seeking more business sponsors to join Swifties in supporting our mission. Your sponsorship can help us provide more equipment, expand sessions, and reach even more children, building a healthier, more connected Sutton.

Our current and past sponsors!

Get Involved Today!

Ready to hit the court? Join our badminton sessions, follow us on Instagram, or visit badmintonrestrings.co.uk to learn why badminton is perfect for kids. Let’s keep Sutton swinging!

A Huge Thank You: We’re immensely grateful to Tesco’s Stronger Starts program and our dedicated sponsor, Swifties, for their unwavering support. Together with the Sutton community, we’re making badminton soar for the next generation!

#BadmintonForKids #TescoStrongerStarts #SwiftiesSponsor #SuttonBadminton #JuniorSports

Discover the ‘Help Children Play Badminton’ project in Sutton! With a £500 Tesco Stronger Starts grant and Swifties sponsorship, we’re nurturing talents like Oliver Wu and Lawrence Chen, offering coaching, affordable gear, and inspiration from stars like Xu Huai Wen and Toby Penty. Join us to support 50–100 kids aged 5–18! #BadmintonForKids #TescoStrongerStarts #SwiftiesSponsor
@woohoowu

🎥 Exciting news from the Anglo Chinese Cultural & Sports Exchange Association! Check out our ‘Help Children Play Badminton’ project in Sutton, powered by a £500 grant from Tesco Stronger Starts and sponsorship from Swifties Badminton. For over 10 years, we’ve been nurturing talents like England’s No. 1 junior Oliver Wu and national junior player Lawrence Chen. We offer badminton sessions several days a week, discounted rackets/shuttlecocks (plus free used ones), and connect families with local clubs and coaches. Our social media spreads the word on badminton’s benefits—fitness, focus, and fun—while legends like Xu Huai Wen (World WS No. 1, 2x Olympian), Toby Penty (Olympian), and Stuart Wardell (former national coach) inspire our kids. From Sept 1, 2025, to Aug 31, 2026, we’ll help 50–100 children aged 5–18. Join us or explore sponsorship opportunities with us and our partners, including Swifties! 🌟 Visit swifties.co.uk for more. BadmintonForKids TescoStrongerStarts SwiftiesSponsor” BadmintonForKids TescoStrongerStarts SwiftiesSponsor SuttonBadminton JuniorSports HealthyKids ReduceScreenTime SportsBenefits BadmintonTraining CommunitySupport InspirationalCoaching OliverWu LawrenceChen XuHuaiWen TobyPenty StuartWardell BadmintonCommunity YouthSports SuttonCommunity SponsorBadminton @suttoncouncil @tesco.news @groundworklondon

♬ original sound – Wu Wu Wu – Wu Wu Wu
https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/68cd99a1000000001302a4d9?xsec_token=ABQ0hahyUE7RImh80J3KNoVDH1xUu8N9zdqYy7TG9xGEQ=&xsec_source=pc_user

By accsea