Organising a Badminton Tournament

During a youngster’s school life, building and participating in activities, and community-based events is key. This is due to the fact that we can grow mentally and physically while building friendships, communities, healthy competition, learning from one another, broadening our horizons, and opening our minds. As the soon-to-be graduating class of MYP 5, we took it upon ourselves to ensure an incredible experience for those in Lund International School, and those in neighbouring international Schools. This is done through a variety of different steps, which can help us boost health and well-being, as well as sustain and develop our school communities. This requires us to organize a sporting event, which is accessible, and realistic when considering limited resources, time, and weather conditions. Due to so many factors to consider, Badminton was decided to be the sport played for this tournament.

To fulfil such tasks, we would have to organise, make, and assign,  multiple systems, methods, and jobs, with great help from our teacher, Ms. Hannah, and cooperation from our neighbouring schools.

Firstly, a location had to be set for the tournament to be held. Thanks to the International School of Lund lending us their Gym hall, we were able to use their resources, to organise a Badminton tournament between four schools in Såne, Sweden. (LIS, ISLK, Bladdins, MIS).

After this, a date was set between the schools, the 16th of February, allowing us MYP 5’s to get on with the organisation and work for the day of the tournament. This is where we split our class into assigned groups, with different roles of planning and organisation for the upcoming tournament. This included a set of individuals working on posters, seating arrangements, speeches, rules/regulations, scoring system, and a guided group going through the rundown of math schedules, timings, and player categories.

Although planning was essential, we had to think ahead of time, and organise what roles would have to be played during the day of the tournament. This is where we used great collaboration, organisation, and technical skills, to create a table allowing us to organise jobs for each student. This included a set of students for an introduction speech, conclusion speech, and umpiring/scoring groups (organised by court number). This also allowed players in our class to help organise the tournament, during break times in the tournament, by looking at the chart to see what section could use help or support. By setting clear groups, and job roles, we were also able to create a chain of job roles, allowing for students to assist each other. Finally, such organization and jobs roles are necessary so code of conduct, sportsmanship, and fair gameplay can occur and be emphasised for all players, audiences, or organisers.

In the end, thanks to the work, help, and cooperation from  all schools, students, teachers, and our MYP 5 Class, we were able to ensure a great experience for all, in a safe and responsible manner. The day all went as planned, even though there were some delays or minute mishaps, but thanks to our swift action when it came to calling/communicating to teams, staff, or players, and acting with responsibility and guidance, all mishaps eventually fixed themselves. The day of competitive and fun badminton was successful as all matches were safely executed, and most, appropriately timed, eventually allowing us to conduct more, unscored, matches, with staff, and students, for fun and community development and bonding.