TWO top coaches are hoping to nurture the next generation of Olympic badminton medallists at Oak Academy in Bournemouth.

The BLAZE programme is driven by under-13 national performance coach Tom Dudley and Exeter Performance Centre head coach Liam Cordery.

The duo mentor some of Dorset's top players and are keen to get the best out of top talent at LeAF campus, a hub for elite athletes.

Cordery said: “I’ve been coaching at LeAF for a few years but this is the start of something much bigger.

"With Tom, we can expand the programme and make LeAF badminton as amazing as Glasgow School of Sport.

"LeAF is one of just three schools in England specialising in badminton and we want it to be the best.”

The scheme is open to children up to year six level.

Dudley said: “BLAZE, for now, is for beginners. We want to take kids and help them fall in love with badminton.

"They will train with Liam and me as well as the likes of former national champion Nicola Cerfontyne and Team Derby player Ollie Baczala. These guys are young, fun and inspirational.

"Our LeAF elite players will also act as mentors so BLAZE players will train with current county champions, giving them something to aspire to.”

Meanwhile, Dudley has been appointed as the new assistant coach at National Badminton League team Surrey Smashers.

The third edition of the seven-team competition gets underway this week, with the Smashers seeking to win their first title.

"I am thrilled to be working with Surrey Smashers," said Dudley. "I have always wanted to work with the team and be part of something special.

"I'm excited for the new season, especially following Team GB's recent success in Rio, and cannot wait to get started."

Dudley has been coaching for more than a decade and is the current national under1-13s performance coach.

His own playing career was curtailed by injury, but not before he won a host of junior international titles – including one with Hayley Adcock, who he will be assisting at Surrey.

Dudley’s new team were semi-finalists in the inaugural National Badminton League, won by Team Derby.

Birmingham Lions go into this campaign as defending champions, having beaten Loughborough Sport in the 2015-16 final in May,

To book a free taster session visit blazebadminton.com or email info@blazebadminton.com. For further information, call Karen Prentice on 07876 565599.