Wednesday 3 June 2015 10:03, UK
Kate Robertshaw has paid tribute to Women’s Sport Week ahead of the National Badminton League finals this weekend.
Robertshaw's Team Derby will head into a four-team battle against Surrey Smashers, University of Nottingham Badminton and Loughborough Sport to crown the inaugural NBL champions, live on Sunday on Sky Sports 1 HD at 2.30pm.
Robertshaw insists badminton’s edgy new format is perfect conclusion to Women’s Sport Week because of the focus on female participants.
She told Sky Sports: “It’s great to have a week that recognises the contribution women make to sport but my hope is that in a few years we won’t need a Women’s Sport Week because the whole year will treat male and female sport equally.
“But for now, it’s perfect to emphasise that being a women in sport is a great thing.
“Badminton is a sport that’s inclusive to women. Mixed doubles showcases the women as much as the men. Women are getting stronger and physically fitter which means the level of badminton is getting higher.”
My hope is that in a few years we won’t need a Women’s Sport Week because the whole year will treat male and female sport equally.
The NBL’s first season has received rave reviews for the exciting new style that it has given badminton, with Power Points, shorter matches and more dynamic rallies designed to create a better spectacle.
Robertshaw has welcomed the changes before this weekend’s finals and insisted new viewers might not recognise the thrilling new style of badminton from the older format.
“Similarly to cricket and T20, it’s transformed the sport,” she said. “Instead of people having to watch a long game it’s a lot sharper and shows the attributes needed in badminton with its fast pace and hard hitting.
“People might think badminton is a soft version of tennis but if you watch you’ll see everyone hits very hard and moves very quickly because you have to be so physically fit. Singles matches are very fluid and doubles is more explosive.”
Watch the NBL finals on Sunday at 2.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD
Tickets to the finals are still available through Sky Tickets: http://tickets.sky.com/More/NBL-Championship-Final?DCMP=edl-GameChangers-0206-NBLFinal
For more information on Women’s Sport Week head to https://www.womeninsport.org/
