Smash Beyond Borders – Badminton Camp (6 Days)

I travelled from Australia to Malaysia to attend seven coaching sessions at MBA in February this year. The program provided a supportive environment where I was able to consolidate and unlearn technical skills. The entire experience was both rewarding and inspiring. I can say without hesitation that the MBA administration operates with integrity, and integrity is everything. I plan to return to MBA for further coaching while enjoying another holiday in Malaysia later this year.

I cannot stress enough that the coach's personal qualities significantly influence the learner's growth and overall experience. Arguably, the coach plays a crucial role in shaping the learner's ability to analyse and absorb information. I was fortunate to have an excellent coach at MBA. There is no doubt he was an accomplished badminton player. More importantly, he was respectful, punctual and patient--qualities that are often undervalued or overlooked in badminton coaching.

My coach consistently demonstrated respectful behaviour. He maintained a calm, encouraging expression even when I struggled to execute his instructions. He never rolled his eyes or showed visible frustration. Neither did he sigh when I repeatedly failed to perform a drill accurately. His respectful body language made me feel motivated and supported.

My coach was punctual. He arrived on time for every session and often reached the venue five or ten minutes before I did. His punctuality set a professional tone--something some other coaches could definitely learn from. (Imagine how you would feel if your coach were habitually late for coaching.)

Equally important was his genuine patience. Rather than rushing through drills, he carefully repeated techniques and allowed me the time to practise and refine my movements. His patience made my learning process truly enjoyable.

Meanwhile, the club organizer deserves recognition. She was efficient and thoughtful. I first met her virtually in September 2025, and she consistently responded promptly to my enquiries. From the moment our correspondence began, my intuition told me I would be in good hands--and I was right.

One thoughtful gesture stood out: She arranged for an assistant to help stack the shuttles during coaching. While this might seem like a minor detail, it touched me deeply because it demonstrated tremendous respect for the learner's time. Another thoughtful gesture was: She gifted me with an MBA T-shirt with my name on it. This gift was totally unexpected and I loved it!

Recommendation MBA may consider installing a large wall clock in the training venue so that both the learner and the coach can easily monitor the time.

During my time in the camp, I had a blast!. Huge thanks to the staff and the coach in MBA who made that possible!!

We are so grateful for all your arrangements.

This camp has been an incredibly meaningful and enriching experience for Mitsuki.

He has not only practiced badminton but has also gained invaluable experience in independence, cross-cultural communication, and making new friends.

We truly appreciate the exceptional care, dedicated support, and thoughtful arrangements provided throughout his stay, especially as he was traveling alone.

Your team went above and beyond to ensure his safety and comfort, from the airport pickup to the daily supervision and now the final transfer.

Thank you for making this such a memorable and impactful journey for him.

I just completed the Stay and Smash camp at Michael's Badminton Academy and what a week it was. From initial contact right up to the last day, I was so well looked after. The coaching with Sandy was varied and always to a high standard. The social games were a great way to meet people and have fun. The team, particularly Pui Yee, went above and beyond the badminton. I was shown around my accommodation (excellent choice), given recommendations and brought for local food and the tour on the rest day was catered to my needs. It's a week that will stay with me forever and is definitely one of the highlights of all my travels so far.

Also, from a badminton perspective alone, the courts are excellent, there is plenty of space to sit and watch and the fans are strategically placed to help cool down without affecting the courts. If I was local, I would be delighted to have a facility like this to play badminton.

The HCMC junior team returned home on Monday looking very healthy and happy and with fond memories of Kuala Lumpur and the academy, where they want to go back again. On behalf of the Ho Chi Minh City BA, I would like to thank you and your staff for the exceptional service and for taking care of my junior female Player at MBA. I sincerely hope our relationship continues in this vein.