Since May this year the former badminton player Peter Gade has been coach of the French national team in badminton. And it was much more than just the French wines, that made him take up the challenge.
Peter Gade laughs, when asked about the connection between French wines and his decision to say yes to the job as coach of the French national team. He has been coaching in France since May, and really enjoys his new job.
Even though he admits that the French culture definitely was a part of his considerations, when he was weighing weither or not to take the job, it was mainly getting to know French badminton and the challenges they face that made Peter Gade say yes to the job.
- The reason, I ended up saying yes to the job, was that it is a huge experience to get to know a different badminton culture in a country I even liked to begin with. I see it as a an exciting challenge in my life, Peter Gade said.
French badminton is a long term project
The former world number one has been working a lot in his first months as French national teams coach. But there is still a lot to do, and it is exactly this challenge Peter Gade looks forward to.
- It can be really hard for people in French badminton to grasp just how much it will take to move from around 30-40 in the world to number 10. My job is trying to implement the Danish way of thinking in badminton, he said.
The past six months hasn't been quite enough time with Peter Gade for the French players, as none of them advanced to the second round at this years Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa. Luckily the danish badminton star has plenty of time to make improvements.
- I know it will take some time, but I believe that France can become one of the leading European nations in badminton. That is the reason why I have signed a contract of five years, Peter Gade said.
Danish badminton will always be unique
Peter Gade underlines that he is extremely happy in his new job. Still he can't help but miss Danish badminton from time to time.
- Danish badminton will always have a special place in my heart. It has been such a big part of my life and always will be, Peter Gade said.
The former All England winner is far from done with his home country as he still lives in Denmark. It was one of the conditions, when he agreed to start coaching the French national team because he wanted time to see his two girls who live in Denmark.
- I like the mix of working in France and being home in Copenhagen with my girls, even though I think I have worked a bit too much in the first couple of months, Peter Gade said with a smile.
Hopefully the hard work will show in results at Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa next year, where the French badminton players might be able to make it deeper into the tournament under the guidance of Peter Gade.