Janelle Pangilinan, front row, 3rd left, poses with her group during a break from the BMF World Coaching Conference 2023, which was part of the Badminton World Federation Coach Mentorship Program in Copenhagen, Denmark on Aug. 23-26, 2023.
NMI badminton player Janelle Pangilinan has returned from the Badminton World Federation Coach Mentorship Program in Copenhagen, Denmark where she had the privilege to expand her knowledge as player and coach.
It was in June when Badminton Oceania Coaching and Development Manager Robbie Thackham told her that she would receive an email from BWF Development Officer Tracy Tan about the mentorship program.
“I thought that it was a Zoom call conference and taking a course online but no, I was actually going there,” she said. “Got the email invitation early July and realized that I was one of the two representing Oceania as female coaches.”
Vee Vian Choong from Australia was the other individual selected from the region.
The mentorship program was created in partnership with Olympic Solidarity and the five badminton continental confederations to develop female badminton coaches globally.
During the program, which was held on Aug. 23-26, Pangilinan said she learned about sports science education.
“First, how technology can be used to analyze a player’s technique, which will help athletes improve their skills and prevent any future injuries. Second, how can a coach, parent, administrator or teammate affect an athlete’s performance, and how it can also vary by age group,” Pangilinan said.
She also attended the BWF World Coaching Conference as well as the BMF World Championship to observe and analyze matches.
“It was a great opportunity to see and learn from many coaches around the world. We listened to many great speakers who shared their expert knowledge and personal experiences in the world of badminton, sports science and global sport professionals,” she added.
As for the BMF World Championship, Pangilinan got to witness high-caliber action, watching the quarterfinal matches in the men’s singles and doubles, and women’s singles events.
“It was such an amazing experience, watching top world badminton players. I was so amazed by how fast the game was going, the speed and power that these athletes displayed. One of the items on my bucket list was to watch the world’s top badminton players, and it came sooner than I thought,” she said.
Pangilinan plans to share the knowledge she has learned with local players, especially with the youth.
“As an athlete who has never been coached when she was young — someone who learned on her own by watching other people and YouTube videos — it is of great importance to me to coach the youth. I now have this great opportunity that I can utilize to support the new generation.”
One thing Pangilinan learned is that “we can’t always point out the errors that our younger players make — they must identify their mistakes and understand how to correct themselves going forward.”
She added, “As an athlete, I’m hoping that everything I’ve learned will help me and my mixed doubles partner grow forward.”
Asked what advice she could give to aspiring athletes, she answered, “Mistakes are the fuel for learning.”
Pangilinan would like to thank the Northern Marianas Badminton Association, Badminton Oceania, and Badminton World Federation “for opening this great opportunity for me; my badminton team who shaped who I am; and my family for their support. I started as a young badminton player, became a national player, and then ventured into coaching. I am blessed with all these opportunities because of all their support.”
