How and Why Save Badminton
Diversity, Inclusion and Equality
The use of feathers in shuttlecocks can have negative effects on individuals who are
Vegan
Oppose animal cruelty
Children
Badminton is good for health, but using feathers in the sport has raised some concerns.
Education
It is fair to say that Badminton is currently a blood sport. Let’s change the narrative
Bringing Vegan Inclusivity to Badminton in Schools
Badminton is popular in schools but often uses animal products, which can leave out vegan kids. While synthetic shuttlecocks are initially used, many children are encouraged to use feather shuttlecocks made from live-plucked feathers of geese and ducks. Some schools, influenced by their coaches, start introducing feather shuttlecocks to kids as young as five, limiting chances for vegan athletes in this Olympic sport.
Talk to your school and request synthetic shuttles for your child to participate.
The Impact on Vegan Children
What does this mean for vegan children and their future in badminton?
They face the difficult choice of compromising their values or being excluded from progressing in the sport. This dilemma can discourage them from participating and pursuing their passion.
The Aim: Bringing Education to the Forefront
By addressing the use of animal-based products in the sport, we can foster a more ethical and sustainable approach. To achieve this, schools should integrate education on the environmental and ethical benefits of vegan-friendly sports equipment into their curriculum.
coaches in schools and clubs should receive training on the origins of feather shuttlecocks and the cruelty involved in their production. This knowledge will empower them to provide alternatives and avoid promoting practices that conflict with vegan values.
Schools help create inclusive environments. By providing vegan options like synthetic shuttlecocks, they ensure vegan children are not left out or forced to use animal products.
A Real-Life Example
In a recent interview 2023, a professional badminton player was shocked to learn about the live plucking used to make feather shuttlecocks. Her coach had not mentioned this, and she thought they were made from synthetic materials. She was surprised that there were no alternatives offered and no guidance on making these shuttles last longer. This lack of information made her uncomfortable about using and throwing away the equipment. Now, with no approved options available, she feels obligated to use them, which she views as supporting animal cruelty and harming the environment. - Molly Giles is not Vegan and has been playing Badminton for over 10 years.
Design
The lack of interest in synthetic shuttlecocks has created a significant gap in the market for their development and improvement. Advancing and promoting high-quality synthetic alternatives that match the performance of traditional feather shuttlecocks would make badminton inclusive to all.
This can occur when the demand for synthetic materials exceeds the supply of feather shuttles.
To make synthetic shuttlecocks more desirable, they need to become environmentally efficient.
Manufacturers can adopt several key strategies using eco-friendly materials and by understanding the problems.
“Bird 3" exemplifies efficient manufacturing methods, setting the stage for the next crucial step: trademarking plant-based shuttlecocks.
By using plant-based materials, these single-use feather shuttles will have a reduced environmental impact.
Innovation in plant-based shuttlecocks will drive a shift toward more ethical and sustainable practices in badminton.
Currently, production relies on imports from regions with weak welfare laws, contributing to the problem.
Equality
Making badminton accessible to all is crucial for equality and human rights. Sports should be accessible and inclusive for all individuals, regardless of their ethical beliefs.
Equality in sports means ensuring that no group of people is excluded or forced to compromise their values to participate fully.
For vegans and vegan athletes, using animal-based products like feather shuttlecocks conflicts with their ethical stance, creating a barrier that can lead to discrimination.
By evolving the sport to use vegan-friendly alternatives, we promote inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs within the badminton community.
Educating players, coaches, the general public and institutions on the origins of feather shuttlecocks and the cruelty involved in their production is the first step toward this change. In doing so, badminton can embody the principles of human rights, ensuring that everyone has the freedom to participate without compromising their ethical values.
This is not about creating a separate category—like "vegan badminton"—but rather transforming the sport as a whole to be inclusive.
My Personal Journey
I discovered my love for badminton at my local gym, and to my delight, I quickly realised I was good at it. This passion led me to receive coaching, where I was first introduced to synthetic shuttlecocks by a friend. However, I often saw feather shuttlecocks scattered around the courts and tossed into bins frequently. Out of curiosity, I asked my coach what they were made of, assuming as a vegan they would be feathers. To my shock, he told me that the feathers were fake.
This moment sparked my curiosity and marked the beginning of my investigation into the truth behind feather shuttlecocks and why no one knew the truth not even the people teaching the sport.
As my skills improved, my coach encouraged me to compete in tournaments. I eagerly agreed, driven by my passion for the sport and the desire to achieve success, perhaps even winning a medal. But when I told my coach I wanted to compete without using feather shuttlecocks, he informed me that I couldn't continue without making the switch.
This was a devastating realisation. I found myself unable to pursue a competitive or professional career in badminton—an Olympic sport taught in primary schools—without compromising my ethics as a vegan.
It made me think deeply about the future, especially for my own vegan child. How could they ever hope to become a badminton player without being forced to compromise their morals? To this day, no vegan has been able to pursue the sport professionally without doing just that. Can this change?
To make the transition easier
Start by experimenting with synthetic shuttlecocks during practice sessions. weaning away from the feather
Trying out different brands and types of synthetic shuttlecocks can help you find the one that best suits your playing style and preferences.
Be patient during this transition. It may take time to get used to the new synthetic shuttlecocks, but with practice, you'll enjoy playing with them.
Allow yourself time to adjust and welcome this shift to a more sustainable and animal-friendly option in badminton.
let’s follow in their flight and do what’s right