Meet The Team

Director and Head Coach
Samuel Jones
Sam is a current professional badminton player competing internationally on the Badminton Europe and BWF World Tours, representing England at events across the world. As a member of the Badminton England Performance Programme, he is ranked inside the world’s top 100 and trains full-time alongside the country’s top athletes. Sam is also the founder and Head Coach of Jones Badminton Academy (JBA), where he combines his elite playing background with a passion for inspiring the next generation through high-quality coaching and maximising the experience of every player in the academy.
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Sam brings over five years of diverse coaching experience to his role as Head Coach at JBA. He has introduced countless young players to the sport through Badminton England’s national programmes and his coaching work across Milton Keynes and the South of England. Alongside his grassroots focus, Sam also coaches at the highest junior level, currently leading the development of four elite performance squads at the UK’s top junior academy. His coaching team at JBA is made up of fellow international athletes, ensuring all sessions are led with world-class knowledge, energy, and passion for badminton.
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Qualifications:
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1st4Sport Certificate for Coaches in Badminton at Level 2
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Badminton England Coach Member
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Badminton England Safeguarding and Protecting Children Qualification
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Enhanced DBS Certificate
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Badminton England Club Welfare Officer
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Emergency Paediatric First Aid

Level 2 Coach
Robin Harper
Robin has won multiple junior national titles and represents his country in international Badminton tournaments across Europe at senior level. He currently trains full time at the National Centre, competing at a high level while continuing to develop as an athlete. Alongside his playing career, Robin has gained significant coaching experience through 1-to-1 private sessions as well as leading and assisting group training at one of the UK's top junior academies. A qualified Level 2 Coach, Robin is dedicated to supporting players’ development by combining technical knowledge with high-performance experience.
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Qualifications:
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1st4Sport Certificate for Coaches in Badminton at Level 2
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Badminton England Coach Member
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Badminton England Safeguarding and Protecting Children Qualification
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Enhanced DBS Certificate

Level 1 Coach
Benjamin Horseman
Ben combines elite playing experience with a growing coaching career. As a junior, he won multiple national titles and medals across several age groups before representing England at the U15 and U19 European Championships and the BWF World Junior Championships. After several years in the Badminton England Junior Performance Programme, Ben progressed to the Senior Performance Programme in 2024 and now trains full-time alongside the top players in the country.
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Alongside his playing career, Ben has built strong coaching experience. He began with the Community Badminton project, working with players of all ages and abilities, before moving on to coach his county team, Oxford. He has also delivered tailored 1-to-1 sessions and group training to support players’ individual goals. Since early 2025, Ben has been an integral part of Milton Keynes Badminton Academy, coaching within their Shuttle Stars programme and supporting the development of squads ranging from grassroots players to elite international juniors.
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Ben’s coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that enjoyment drives long-term development. By creating an environment that balances fun with discipline, he encourages players to stay motivated, work hard, and build both technical ability and the mental resilience needed to succeed in the sport.
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Qualifications:
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Foundation Award in Coaching Badminton (Level 1)
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Badminton England Coach Membership
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Badminton England Safeguarding and Protecting Children Qualification
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Enhanced DBS Check

Assistant Coach
Emily Collinson
Profile Coming Soon!

Coach
Daniel Kemp
Dan is a full-time professional badminton player with the England National Team and a former three-time U17 National Champion who has also represented England at the World Junior Championships in India. He’s now beginning his coaching journey with JBA and will soon be taking his Level 2 Coaching Qualification. Dan loves working with juniors, especially those picking up a racket for the very first time, and brings a friendly, positive approach to every session. His goal is to help young players enjoy badminton, feel confident on court, and discover just how fun the sport can be.

Level 2 Coach
Oliver Butler
Profile Coming Soon!
Get in touch today
We are always on the lookout for aspiring new coaches. Wether you have coached before or are interested in a future career, we are keen to expand our team and work with new coaches, helpers and volunteers to help grow the sport of badminton.
