Carissa Turner´s Biography
Name: Carissa Turner
Country: Wales
Discipline(s): Ladies Singles and Mixed Doubles
Highest World Ranking: Ladies Singles = 86, Ladies Doubles = 52
Career Highlights: Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014. Cyprus International
Women’s Singles R-Up. Cyprus, Iceland, Portuguese Women’s Doubles Winner. Three Time
Ladies Singles and Five Time Ladies Doubles National Champion. 42 Caps for Wales - so far!
As well as playing I work part-time as the Badminton Wales Events Officer and also do some
coaching for them. I feel that these occupations give me a well-rounded and unique outlook on
tournaments.
I have coached many of the juniors who are in the Welsh Squad as part of the Regional
Development Group and at the Under 13’s Welsh Squad weekends. This year I will also be going
away to team events with the juniors which is an exciting new prospect for me.
As an experienced player I have always helped those receiving their first caps or travelling to
tournaments for the first time so it’s something I’m confident and comfortable doing. I take my role
as an older player quite seriously and believe I have a responsibility to encourage the juniors and
new seniors to play tournaments and give advice when they need it. I think it’s important to help
players to understand the best ways to compete, a lot of training is just physical preparation for the
matches but I like to give advice on the best way to prepare on the day as this can often get
overlooked. As head coach at a Regional Badminton Club I have helped increase female
participation in badminton and developed a junior set up in an area of deprivation. I also feel it’s
extremely important to give back to those who have helped you because none of us achieve
anything without a helping hand and if the next generation don’t help then the sport will suffer.
That’s also part of why I want to be involved in the Athlete’s Commission.
From my experience as a player on the international circuit for the last 6/7 years I know what I
expect to be in place to deem a tournament "well run" and also know the hardships faced and
knock on effects it can have if things aren't organised very well.
As an Events Officer I know the work which is put in to organising a tournament, what steps need
to be taken in order to make sure everything runs smoothly and what sort of information needs to
be published ahead of time.
Being on ‘both sides of the fence’, so to speak, gives me an advantage and valuable outlook on
things. I know what things can be realistically expected and how they can be delivered, solutions
which can be found for any difficulties faced and the best way to find a good compromise if the
expectations cannot be reached. I can also communicate well with others and bring reason to
conversations through my experience as a player and know that people need to be heard and that
if you do your best to find a resolve the situation, normally you end up with a pleasing outcome.
Having contacts and friends in many countries across Europe and competing in club leagues in
France, Germany, Switzerland and in England’s NBL has helped broaden my perspective and
views. I have played under 3 different scoring systems in the last 15months which has also given
me new perspective and appreciation of fellow players views on them too. The possibility of a
change in scoring system has brought on much debate. I have experienced playing the three to 11
points and have similar opinion to most other players who I have spoken to about it.
I have experience as a spokesperson from my coaching and ambassador roles.
As a result of qualifying for two previous Commonwealth Games I am the Badminton
Commonwealth Games Ambassador.
This role has required me to visit schools and give talks to young children and adults with learning
difficulties. I have also been an ambassador for Badminton Wales at Gemau Cymru, a Welsh MultiSport Event where I led a group of juniors in a team event and individual competition.
Chris Jenkins, Commonwealth Games Office Chief Executive and Chef de Mission at the
Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 said “Carissa is an excellent athlete with Commonwealth
Games experience; she also has the potential to go further and reach the highest levels. She is a
brilliant ambassador for Commonwealth Games Wales and has helped in many projects including
School and College visits. She is part of Commonwealth Games Wales advisory team - where we
consult with athletes on a range of issues from choice of kit to Games village options. Carissa has
a great understanding of what it takes to be a great athlete, on and off the pitch, with an awareness
of all those issues so important to athletes and their support team. “
I have a lot of media experience having done many interviews at Commonwealth Games, Welsh
International, National Championships and on the circuit for BETV. However I also have
experience as a presenter having worked voluntarily at Made in Cardiff TV. There I did some
sports presenting, commentating and editing. This experience was invaluable because it gives me
yet more insight in to what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ and how things can be done so as not to
have a negative effect on any athlete or event which is taking place.
I also make sure that each year at my home international I go and talk to the Primary School
children who come along to try their hand at badminton before watching the tournament and
supporting the players.
I am passionate about badminton and want to see it continue to grow from strength to strength. I
believe it is important to make things as easy as possible for the players competing in tournaments
because they are the future of the sport and we need to keep them interested in travelling to
tournaments. I know myself which tournaments I prefer to play and some which I am unlikely to
play again due to unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, giving players a voice will insure that
conditions at tournaments are of the highest quality and that players have a good experience in all
tournaments ranging from Premier Super Series to Future Series.
I believe my character and experience would be of great value to Badminton Europe, in particular
being part of the BEC Athletes Commission.
Biography by Carissa Turner