To the Committee Secretariat
([email protected])
NT Badminton Association Inc
written submission on
`Bringing Back the Arafura Games’
Executive Summary
Questions of the Committee:
Badminton – past and current
Common Discussion Points
Sporting Objective
Discussion Points
Economic Objective Discussion Points Arts and Community Engagement Objective
Discussion Points
Tourism Objective Discussion Points 2
4
5
6
7
8
11
11
11
12
12
12
Please note: The blue paragraphs in the body of the
document seek to answer the template questions
posed in black font.
Simon Harvey,
President, NT Badminton Association Inc
www.ntbadminton.org.au
[email protected]
Phone: 0468 744 278
GPO Box 4413 DARWIN NT 0801
21 Albatross Street, WINNELLIE, NT 0820
0428 372 982 [email protected]
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Executive Summary
The NTBA wants the Arafura Games to succeed and wants to be a part of the
2019 Games and will strive for success beyond that.
We have provided some history about our sport and its huge following in Asia
and India. We have also taken the opportunity to attach the 2011 Application
but note that the scope for that was a lot smaller and postured around 7 teams of
four persons each.
We include this link to the 2015-16 Badminton Australia Annual Report1 that
showcases the movement and activity of our sport in Australia. It is requested
that you check that link and search for key words such as “Sudirman Cup”, “ParaBadminton” and “Super Series”. You might also spot the NT’s Elysia Viravong on
page 33 and note the distinctive architecture and fit-out pictured in some of the
photographs included in that report.
This submission is larger than sought, as we have to also make a clear case for a
suitable long-term venue. This is required for the long-term development path to
support such events and hyperlinks to our past venue reports.
We know we can do better to grow our sport for all Territorians BUT this is a
chicken and egg situation. Without a comparable venue arrangement as enjoyed
by other NT sports we are stymied.
Our goal is to achieve Tier Two status using a venue suitable for 24/7/365
access to allow our playing groups to grow and develop. Then we can logically
excite greater participation in schools at their multi-shared sites and at the
future venue.
Our Board of management is relatively small. Through necessity we have had to
review our strategic situation and adapt our governance structure as we
continue our core business yet struggle to make a case for a long term venue
solution. We meet monthly and are currently trying to recruit a part-time
Marketing and Development Officer to relief some of the pressures that just
cannot be addressed by a 100% volunteer and mainly working full-time Board.
We have reached out to the NSO Badminton Australia and they have indicated
support to our cause in planning and conduct of these games within reason
pending the identification of a suitable venue solution. BA has a protocol and
checklist for each of its National competitions and we used this discipline when
we held the National Under 15 Tournament in 2016.
Territorian players have little to no exposure of higher-level competition
standards without first going interstate. Since we have little ability to attract
1 http://www.badminton.org.au/images/documents/Badminton Australia Annual Report 2015-16.pdf
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various National or other competitions the community itself has no
comprehension of what it is missing out on. We truly are All-Ages and Abilities in
a great sport that can grow and incorporate Para-badminton as well if we are
given a chance.
The NTBA has been calling for long-term venue solution since 2013 and we
desperately need a champion to secure NT and/or Federal monies for a longterm solution. We have had recognition and support from all sides of the House
but as yet no concrete resolve to resource what we see as a sensible site for the
future of the sport in the NT.
Investing in our long term playing venue will make our future stronger for all
players here and radiate out to our other affiliated playing groups. The impact of
being able to host larger competitions on the Australian Calendar cannot be
overstated as a driver for bringing in National competitions including the
Atalanta Games2.
In about 2008 there was a regional competition that was co-hosted by the Kuala
Lumpur Racquet Club. This was not in Malaysia, neither in Sydney nor
Melbourne but in Ballarat, country Victoria, where they had about 18 courts for
use.
No matter how much personal effort and enthusiasm we individually invest in
the conduct of our sport without a decent suitable-for-purpose playing venue we
are limited to club level hosting. As someone said the other day… currently `it’s
like a mob of blokes hitting in a shed’. On the contrary we are an inclusive,
mixed gender sport that is played as Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the
Olympics and Commonwealth Games but still playing in a shed in Darwin.
The NTBA proposed the infrastructure build when the previous Government
canvassed for suggestions to invest the TIO sale monies. Nothing came of that.
The Sport and Recreation team cannot make projects like this happen without
the specific direction of the NT Government.
This newly elected NT Government has the power to change our playing future
for the better and bring us up to parity with other states as well as other regional
neighbours within this NT election cycle. Without such an outcome the
Australian and World’s athletes will continue to fly overhead to and from the
southern states for their competition.
Naturally we will do the best we can to support this incentive to `Bring Back the
Arafura Games’. Please help us to help you.
The shuttle literally is in your court.
Atlanta Google site https://sites.google.com/site/atalantajamboree/home/noosa-2015
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Questions of the Committee:
1. When will your final report be publicly available?
2. When can we expect advice on a venue solution so that we can scale our
collective energies in response?
3. Assuming that this Government re-establishes the Arafura Games:

What indicative milestones and steps towards that are currently envisaged?

How is a board of management and reporting regime envisaged?

How will the progress of these games be evaluated and improvements
injected into the next iteration?

What appetite is there to move quickly to conduct a site survey of potential
venues and confirm a way ahead to cross-level all potential sports venues?

How soon will the NT Government indicate the resource allocation to assure
delivery of the venues that will therefore scope out the hosting load
expected?
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Badminton – past and current
Although badminton has its origins in Europe it has an ever-growing player base
in Asia. The badminton competitions are streamed via the Internet to millions
on-line. The powerhouse in the region is Indonesia where the playing numbers
are now in the millions3. These facts are seemingly beyond our comprehension.
The origins of the game of badminton date back at least 2,000 years to the game
of battledore and shuttlecock played in ancient Greece, China, and India.4
Under the Badminton World Federation there are 5 main bodies depicted below.
Our principal interest is the Badminton Asia Confederation 5 comprising:
In the SE Asia area it is logical to consider playing nations such as Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Timor Leste, Japan and China.
Australia falls in the Badminton Oceania group 6:
3
4
Telecon Mr Loke Poh Wong / Simon Harvey of 06 March 2017
Origins and History of Badminton, Athnet
http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-badminton.htm
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badminton_Asia_Confederation
5
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badminton_Oceania#Member_associations
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Common Discussion Points
There are many questions to be asked, however the Steering Committee urges
every stakeholder to at least consider the following:
What time of year should the Arafura Games be scheduled? The President of Badminton Australia (BA) would prefer a `non wet season’
option. A suitable indoor venue would offer 24/7 access and scheduling to cope
with a busy competition programme of up to three sessions per day although
two is the preferred tempo.
How long and how often should the Arafura Games be held? Duration depends on the ability to schedule enough games per session for
Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles format for all competing teams and whether
there is a team as well as an individual event.
The overall frequency of Games competition ought be discussed with respective
National Sporting Organisations (NSO) to ensure that typical competition rhythm
is de-conflicted: Olympic (Summer), Commonwealth Games plus significant
sports’ World Tournaments.
De-confliction would ease the burden of finding volunteers and court officials.
What sports should be included in the Arafura Games? Principally those sports that hold shared cultural significance with the majority
of participating regional neighbours. There should be some scope to
demonstrate niche cultural sports – this could be part of a specific programme or
feature activity as facilities dictate. This should link to the Cultural and Tourism
theme of the Arafura Games objectives.
What is the ideal standard of competition for the Arafura Games? This should be below National peak level and rather should reflect the standard
of a rising Territory, State or Provincial player who is not yet included in
National representative teams.
By offering this as a regional/provincial level event it is possible to broaden the
number of teams applying and providing more engagement from those
communities including their businesses; more of a `grass roots’ feel and traction
could be beneficial.
Badminton Australia has indicated that it may offer an Australian Junior National
Team to supplement a Territory based `Senior’ team. A budget for that inject
would need to be resourced by BA and negotiated in order to permit
acclimatisation – particularly coming up from southern Australia in the `winter’.
BA and Oceania may be prepared to consider offering `National’ for our
Australian or `Oceania’ ranking points for all those players in order to encourage
attendance at that level/age group. To be able to offer those points a hosting
venue must meet stringent conditions.
The level of skill of typical Arafura athletes ought not be quite at the same level
as National representatives.
The Secretary General/CEO of Badminton Oceania, Julie Carrel has advised that
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the Arafura Games is not
“an event we would be including in our player development programme; this
programme is funded by the BWF with one of the KPI’s being improving
world ranking points which means that our programme needs to be focused on
events which carry WR points.”
Furthermore… “It is also our intention to run a World Academy of Sport
Event Management Course in Australia this year; it would be good to have
some representatives from your group on this course. We will liaise with BA
on this course.
And finally …
On a personal level, I have extensive experience in badminton events and am
also a BWF Accredited Referee, and am happy at any time to provide any
assistance you require; happy for you to email or call me.”
What opportunities do you see for the Northern Territory from staging the
Arafura Games? The ability to showcase our rising regional talent and offer a hospitable
environment to guest nations should posture the NT as a welcoming, secure and
stable environment for sport and commerce. The ability to have Australian
sports officials and players compete in Darwin’s climate would suggest that it be
used as an acclimatization base for our teams before going to Asia for
competition. Our respective National Sporting Organisations (NSO) should be
invited to send observers and evaluate the rising talent for subsequent
invitational events.
From a Badminton sports performance outcome it is quite unlikely that on
current performance we would place in the top three. Two of our current Under
15 girls are ranked 2nd and 4th Nationally and should be a significant influence
on the 2019 NT team.
If the playing conditions and venue is suitable and the competition incentivised
this would likely galvanise a number of NT fringe players to commit to a more
dedicated training and performance regime.
Sporting Objective
It is important that we understand the sporting competition needs of both our
Northern Territory sporting organisations as well as those of our Asia-Pacific
neighbours. This will influence and inform the development of the structure of
the sporting competition and how it is delivered.
The 2011 Arafura Games were reported as highly successful and the NTBA Inc
again applied for participation in the 2013 Games that were subsequently
cancelled.7 This breakdown in momentum and corporate knowledge was not
helpful and support for the concept should be shared across both sides of NT
Government.
2013 Arafura Games Application NT Badminton Association 14092011
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Discussion Points
There are many questions to be asked, however the Steering Committee would
urge every stakeholder to at least consider the following:
What venues are available in Darwin that are of an appropriate standard to
host the Arafura Games? The home of the NTBA is currently a re-purposed warehouse in an industrial
zone located at 21 Albatross Street, WINNELLIE and is separate from the usual
sporting precinct of Marrara. This suffices for club purposes currently but does
get crowded at times. The venue however hardly generates awe and spectator
`hum’ that is experienced at other national venues; it is difficult to comprehend
that impact until you visit other venues.
For such a virulent and popular sport in Asia to not have a suitable permanent
facility for the NT to provide hosting is a situation that ought be redressed and
soon before this cohort of the NT playing group is worn down by frustration,
embarrassment and lack of support.
With a suitable and permanent home it would greatly benefit and grow playing
groups in feeder school and communities to play intra and inter school
competitions that are prevalent in other states and territories.
Without a dedicated and suitable venue the competition programme would be
very limited by the available multi-purpose generically fitted-out courts that are
not being used by other sports. (Nightcliff Middle School, Darwin High School or
the Marrara Spectrum Stadium).
Without a suitable venue we may not be able to persuade BA and Oceania to
allocate ranking points in those regional international competitions. There is a
potential opportunity to have a phone call placed from the commencement of the
appearance with either the President of Badminton Australia, Geraldine Brown
or the BA and Badminton Oceania Board Member, Loke Poh Wong, to
provide answers and supplementary input to queries arising from the NTBA
presentation.
It is further strongly recommended that if the 2019 Arafura Games is to proceed
with Badminton included that a collaborative site survey be conducted with
Badminton Australia input to consider the venue options available. Either or
both of these principal and experienced members representing our sport would
be ideal contributors. Each have contributed to the successful campaigns to
establish the Australian Open Super Series8 venue in Sydney (was Melbourne)
and now the Sudirman Cup9 (World Championships in the Gold Coast in May
2017).
As noted above the BWF Oceania have offered placement on their World
Academy of Sport Event Management Course in 2017 and this would be ideal for NT
attendance from the organizing committee.
Each potential existing site comes with limitations. A critical factor in site
dimension is a clear height above the court (minimum 9m). Superstructure could
8 http://www.badminton.org.au/events/australian-open-superseries
9
http://www.sudirmancup.com.au
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be as high as 12 to 14 metres as a consequence depending on the requirement to
house other lighting looms and peripherals. Each court requires some over-run
space, side-lighting and good floor surfaces. Consideration for curtaining
between show courts is another consideration.
The NTBA provided input to both the DSR Sport and Active Recreation Master
Plan and the 2016 NTBA Feasibility Study by Sharyn Innes Consultancies on our
playing future. Consequent to the elections in 2016 the Feasibility Study was
finally tabled to the Minister's Office in December 2016 and is available to read
at this link10. It offers options, suggested sites and architectural features of merit
for a collocated/collaborative building site. It is modeled against best-case
business practice in other states around a 10-court facility. Four courts will be
available to other sports or community groups to use without detriment to the
group and private court hire.
In the DSR Annual Report 2015-1611 it was noted that the department is
hamstrung by a lack of resources. The NT DSR Sport and Active Recreation
Master Plan12 draft was published in 2017 and a synopsis is found on the
contractor’s website.
Of particular note is the option to position the Badminton future venue on
ground that provides greater utility in the future to other sports without
detriment to either. We understand that currently there are no apparent sports
in the situation of requiring growth near the Darwin / Marrara sites. There is
potential for a future collaborative build with one or more of the following:
Indoor Beach Volleyball, Weightlifting, Indoor Volleyball and/or Gymnastics.
The Territory Gymnastics Academy currently occupy a lease situation at
Winnellie.
Conversely we could scale back some of the badminton venue requirements if
there is scope to `blister’ our needs onto a current venue with its amenities.
Darwin Lawn Bowls was previously supportive of a suggestion collaboration and
they have since had a rink fitted with an outdoor cover. There is space nearby for
construction and that may link to the Darwin High and Middle Schools precinct.
Infilling a capable venue with general amenities to the legacy Richardson Park
grounds would enable surge support to those grass based sports and avoid or
reduce the potential installation of porta-loos and marquees.
From our work in the 2013 Save Our Sport Campaign we produced and lodged
with the NT Government our detailed concept proposal13 that ought to be useful
material to include in future collaboration and planning initiatives.
http://ntbadminton.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/161130-Badminton-Feasibility-Study-FinalAugust-2016.pdf
10
11 https://dtc.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/380023/dsr-annual-report-2015-16.pdf
12 https://dtc.nt.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/sport-consultation/sport-and-active-recreation-master-plan
13
http://ntbadminton.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nt-badminton-association-detailed-proposal30092013.pdf
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A good guide for facility design is contained in the Sport England – Design
Guidance Note 201114. Naturally this needs to be modified to suit the NT
temperatures and humidity.
Is there a place to include extreme sports in the Arafura Games? Whether there is an appetite for a novel, extreme or culturally significant sport
to be `demonstrated’ remains to be proved but provided installation costs and
locations are not prohibitive it would be evidence of an inclusive competition.
Should the Arafura Games be a qualifying event for other national or
international competitions? Australian athletes should be encouraged by being offered ranking points for
their participation. How that is to be orchestrated is yet to be confirmed with BA.
What role can local sporting associations, community groups or individuals
play in making the Arafura Games a reality? Accommodating the Arafura Games into the annual calendar of events and
contribute to the coordination of volunteers, officials and athletes. The NTBA
would expect to liaise with BA to ensure that the relevant links through the NSO
to Badminton Oceania and other Badminton World Federation (BWF) members
are used to positively message other nations for engagement.
Should the Arafura Games support para-athletic competition, as it has in the
past? Yes and the BA Participation Manager has established strong links for an
extension for the strongly based WA Para-Badminton team15. We understand that
this has been reflected in the response by Tim Matthews on behalf of the
Paralympics body.
Should Northern Territory athletes/sporting bodies participate in reciprocal
International events? It is reasonable to expect reciprocity within each sport at a regional level
commensurate with the hosting ability of those other Nations. It must be
acknowledged that not all nations could host the range of games simultaneously
and this requires cross leveling of potential sports.
Are there existing working relationships with other Asia-Pacific sporting or
community bodies that could benefit the Arafura Games? It seems reasonable to form a working group of contributing nations (at the
appropriate regional level) to establish a steering committee and build a
strategic plan for the current and future sports considered. This will not be easy
and will require patience as an international engagement challenge. Leveraging
relationships from the recent 2016 Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East
Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games would seem a practical way
forward. In this regard we are well advised to leverage the contacts and
assistance of BA noted above to contribute to the preparations and planning for a
successful badminton competition to be delivered by the NTBA with some
14 http://ntbadminton.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/badminton_design_guide_-_2011.pdf
15 https://www.facebook.com/BadmintonAustralia/videos/10153773509091362/
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supplementation of volunteers, officials together with active supporting
marketing and media plans.
Economic Objective Darwin is ideally situated on Asia’s doorstep. As the closest region to Asia, the
‘Top End’ remains a valuable strategic location to Australia. This has enabled the
Northern Territory to progressively integrate its economy with the Asian region.
To attract increased foreign investment and further establish the Northern
Territory as the gateway to Asia for tourists and businesses it is vital to grow
strong relationships with the booming Asia-Pacific region. The Arafura Games
has the potential to become a key element to strengthen and sustain existing
networks and leverage growth and opportunities in the tourism, business and
trade industries. In order to do this the Arafura Games must clearly define how it
may become a platform to sustain these relationships and strengthen its
presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Discussion Points There are many questions to be asked, however the Steering Committee would
urge every stakeholder to at least consider the following: What benefits or business improvements were realised by business/industry
as a result of the previous Arafura Games? The NTBA is unable to offer qualified advice.
What would a reinstated Arafura Games mean for local businesses/industries?
You would expect an increase in hospitality and tourism sectors. Strong
consideration should be made to include a parallel programme of engagement
from participating country’s regional and national corporates that should rightly
include the CDU.
How could local businesses/industries contribute to the Arafura Games? Enable the programming of a culture and business `expo’ over several days of the
games. The Department of Business (International Engagement) could take the
lead in inviting those notable businesses and countries and establishing a
parallel programme of engagement.
Grow this nucleus of `sports and business diplomacy’. Be prepared to organize
`friendly’ corporate sports events at some of these venues – not `just a round of
golf’ come and have a hit with or around our players. Be prepared to arrange
`host officers’ and interpreters that will facilitate business liaison initially.
Which countries do you consider important to involve in the Arafura Games? Timor Leste, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore,
Brunei, Philippines, Japan and China.
Arts and Community Engagement Objective
The Northern Territory, as an inclusive society, values and embraces cultural
diversity.
The Arafura Games presented an opportunity to showcase and
celebrate the vibrant and distinctive arts and culture of the Northern Territory
and participating countries. In particular, the Arafura Games opening and closing
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ceremonies provided an opportunity for the Northern Territory arts sector to
curate and showcase local artists, as well as opportunities for youth,
multicultural engagement and participation.
More broadly, a revitalised Arafura Games could also provide opportunities to
strengthen existing, and establish new, arts and cultural relationships across the
Asia-Pacific region. This may be fostered through a program of arts and cultural
activities during the Arafura Games, linking to and promoting existing arts
events, festivals and relationships with the arts sector in Darwin and the
Northern Territory. The Arafura Games has the potential for arts sector
development as well as business and employment opportunities for local artists
and organisations.
Discussion Points
There are many questions to be asked, however the Steering Committee would
urge every stakeholder to at least consider the following:
What is the best way to celebrate and showcase Northern Territory arts and
culture during the Arafura Games? Please consider creating a task group between NT Art Gallery and Museum, CDU
International Engagement and the local Indigenous groups to harness these
opportunities. This is more that just a `welcome to country moment’ and could
see shuttles to the NTAGM by groups at the very least.
What opportunities are there for Northern Territory organisations to work
with or partner with visiting countries to showcase arts and culture at the
Arafura Games? See above and be prepared to facilitate prior remote collaboration, liaison and
invest in a programme that is scheduled for the athletes.
Tourism Objective The Northern Territory has an established reputation as a unique tourism
destination centred on its extraordinary natural landscapes and rich Indigenous
culture. Tourism is the third highest contributor to the Northern Territory
economy behind construction and mining, contributing an estimated $1.76
billion annually in Gross Value Added. Asian markets represented around 19%
of the total 293,000 international visitors to the Territory for year ending
September 2016, with traditional markets in the Western hemisphere
contributing the vast majority of international visitor numbers. In the past the
Arafura Games delivered very minimal direct tourism impact as many visitors
were billeted rather than staying in commercial accommodation. It is still the
case that Territory tourism offering does not align well with the product or value
expectations of travellers from Asian markets. Positive benefits to the tourism
industry could be realised, such as through pre and post touring, if a
reinvigorated Arafura Games significantly increases visitation to the Territory
from key tourism source markets in the region. Discussion Points There are many questions to be asked, however the Steering Committee would
urge every stakeholder to at least consider the following: Bringing Back the Arafura Games – NT Badminton Association Inc Feedback
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What benefits were realised by the tourism industry as a result of the previous
Arafura Games? We are unable to provide qualified advice.
Our understanding from previous experience was that our guest teams
appreciated their time here and our hospitality. Trying to schedule games is
paramount but time for short local outings between team and individual
competition rounds must be permitted. We understand that some teams were
dis-satisfied with the playing conditions at one of the previous venues and that
this legacy may affect and deter attendance unless there is a substantial
improvement.
How can a revitalised Arafura Games contribute to the local tourism industry?
Direct injection of funds by competitors and teams – accommodation, meals and
transport.
Second order effects must be generated with effect social media and a range of
incentives to radiate positive engagement, return visits and experiences
available here in the NT that are unique and a draw-card.
What tourism markets (country, demographics) do you consider important to
attract to the Arafura Games?
Linked to the sports theme it is important to regard the sports industry itself.
It is reasonable to convene a parallel conference of sporting professionals. This
is valuable for respective sporting CEO’s and managers. There is further crossover to the sports health professionals in this sector especially if including
sessions on training, health issues and drugs. This is a likely big money spinner
for tourism and conference hosting. This is a great opportunity to compare
professional practise and where practical engage the respective faculties at the
CDU and NTIS.
It is reasonable to at least include Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei,
Philippines, Timor Leste, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and China
 What targets are realistic? Young players with a view to self-development and education. This is an
emphasis on University and vocational studies; this could be part of a CDU and
VET engagement within the programme.
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