The development of badminton in Brazil has allowed us to see the growth of its players, and also of its coaches. Norma Rodrigues, coach of the youth team and trainer, is evidence of the growth of badminton in our region.
Norma started in our sport more than 10 years ago, and since she met it she became convinced of her passion and that she could go very far with our sport.
“I started in 2008, in a course in Mexico. Actually, I started because I fell in love with Badminton, when I saw it I was surprised and thought that it could be something very good for my country and for me, as a career and as a person. When I did the first course, to which Pan Am invited me, I liked badminton even more because of the possibilities I had to develop it, it has been more than 10 years and every day I learn something new and other ways of doing things, I love that. Not just the fact of forming champions, but building people and helping them love what they do.”
“For me as a person and coach, this course was a very interesting challenge. I believe that this course is made to modify our way of training and thinking. And this transformation leads to a change in the way of doing things. Both in our work as in our personal area. So, as a coach, this change in thinking has led to a change in work, looking for a better quality of work, and that will be reflected in all areas, not only in Brazil but throughout America. ”
Norma has also had the opportunity to share experiences with other coaches in the region, and an analysis of the different realities leads her to continue betting on the training and constant development of coaches on the continent.
“What we have to do is keep the coaches motivated. I think everyone needs to be motivated and that comes from these courses, from these experiences that Pan Am and BWF do very well. I think we have to work together to build knowledge and not just reproduce knowledge of someone else.”
As a coach, Norma sees her role beyond training good athletes. She is also focused on contributing to the development of our sport from the professionalization side of coaches.
“My goal is to have more people working with quality in Brazil, in badminton, both coaches and athletes. And with that strong base, we will have a better elite. But we have to work hard on that. Not only athletes, but mainly who lead the process, the coaches, so that is my goal, not only with the Brazil Badminton Federation but also with the Olympic Committee, to be able to encourage this discomfort in the coaches and that they can leave the comfort zone and explore things new and work that with the athletes. ”
