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The recent death of Frank Peard represents a huge loss to Irish Badminton and also to Badminton Museum of Ireland.

Historical Item displays a letter that Frank wrote to a newspaper in 50 years ago giving his views on the management of Sporting Organisations. He has consistently held these views all through his relationship with Badminton.

The Gallery item displays Frank with trophies indicating his very successful 1949-50 season. We feel that this issue should concentrate on Frank and below is An Appreciation already shown on Badminton Ireland and Leinster Branch websites

Frank Peard – An Appreciation

With the death of Frank Peard, two weeks short of his hundredth birthday Badminton has lost its most enduring personality. For about 80 years he was at the forefront in seeking to improve Irish Badminton.

As a player Frank played 30 times for Ireland between 1946 and 1957. He had a highly successful playing career. He won 16 Irish Close titles and 3 Irish open titles and six Scottish Open titles. He reached two All-English semi- finals, one with English player Noel Radford and the other with Jim FitzGibbon. His partnership with FitzGibbon was at the very top of European Badminton. He had the distinction in playing the first match against Denmark in the first ever Thomas Cup Match in 1948.He was firmly of the view that meeting stronger opposition was a requirement towards reaching ones full potential. He was a major influence on the improvement of younger players such as Chick Doyle, Mary Bryan, Yvonne Kelly and Charlie McCormack amongst others. In his keenness to promote Badminton around the country he instigated many exhibition events which were very instructional and entertaining.

He was a very respected coach and was always willing to help younger players who had shown the right approach in improving their game. As an indication of his standing he was invited to read a paper at the World Coaching Conference in Calgary in 1985.

Whilst he had a lengthy playing career, his managerial and organisational skills were available to Irish Badminton right up to the time of his death. Whilst at the height of his playing career he fitted in time to serve on the Executive Committee of the Leinster Branch for a number of years. He was the main mover in achieving the building of Terenure Centre in Whitehall Road in 1954.This was a major project, and progressed Leinster Branch significantly. Badminton Union of Ireland asked Frank to act as Director of the European Championships in Dublin and 1976. This was regarded as the most successful holding of the event at the time. Whilst many volunteers were involved it could not have happened without this organisational ability He continuously pushed the view that Sporting Bodies must ensure a strong and effective management side to ensure progress. He was often disappointed that this advice sometimes fell on deaf ears.

Within the last 10 years he has been instrumental in the setting up of Badminton Museum of Ireland. Once again this is something that would not have happened without him. He supported the Museum with finance and encouragement and was a consistent help to the Trustees through his remarkable memory of the past. He has donated many significant historic item to the Museum. Included in many writings of his are

  • Sixty Years of Irish Badminton
  • Building the Badminton Hall 1954
  • The Midland Branch 1961
  • Reorganisation of the B.U.I. 1966
  • A Policy and its Implementation 1966
  • M.B.B.U.I. 1967
  • Badminton in Holland 1969
  • Improving the Performance of Irish Badminton Teams 1970
  • Conditions for Progress 1976

During the bulk of this period he enjoyed the support and encouragement of his wife Sue and for the Badminton lover it would hard to meet a more interesting and knowledgeable couple.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator

 

This Edition: 1st Of October 2019 | Next Edition 1st Of November 2019
 
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