The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is set to move away from its long-standing approach of assigning coaches to only one or two players, replacing it with a rotation-based coaching system aimed at addressing weaknesses in player development.
National coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said the new structure will allow players to work with different coaches throughout various training phases and competitions, ensuring they benefit from a wider range of technical and tactical input rather than relying on a single coaching voice.
The shift comes after Tey Seu Bock was promoted to senior singles coach and is part of a broader restructuring of BAM’s national singles programme.
Jonassen highlighted that Seu Bock’s experience at the highest level will be a valuable asset in daily training, but stressed the importance of avoiding the old model where coaches were tied to just one or two athletes.
Under the new system, players will rotate among coaches, allowing fresh perspectives to be applied to technical refinement, tactical planning and overall development.
Jonassen explained that exposure to different coaching viewpoints can often help players identify areas for improvement that may otherwise go unnoticed.
He added that the changes are also intended to improve continuity in player development from the junior ranks through to the senior national squad, an area he believes has been a long-standing challenge.
Over the past year, Jonassen has reviewed BAM’s coaching framework to determine how best to ensure sufficient coaching support across each stage of a player’s progression.
To support the rotation-based model, BAM is close to finalising the appointment of two additional coaches, with a third position still under consideration. These roles will cover both men’s and women’s singles across junior and senior levels.
According to Jonassen, the most critical focus of the revamped structure is the transition period between the ages of 19 and 22, which he described as the most demanding phase in a player’s career.
He noted that many players worldwide struggle to progress during this three- to four-year window, making it essential for BAM to provide strong guidance from experienced coaches during this stage.
When selecting the new coaches, Jonassen said experience and proven success in developing international-level players will take priority over age. The appointments are expected to include a combination of local and foreign coaches, reflecting BAM’s openness to outside expertise during this transition period.
The additional coaching hires are part of a larger national team overhaul, with BAM planning to recruit five or six coaches across both senior and junior programmes to support coaching directors Rexy Mainaky and Jonassen.
BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said most of the new appointments are likely to be local, with foreign coaches considered only if suitable Malaysian candidates cannot be found.
He also assured that no current coaches would be removed, emphasising that the restructuring is intended to strengthen the existing system rather than replace it.
Jonassen expressed his appreciation for BAM’s support of the proposed changes and made it clear that clearer roles would come with higher expectations.
He added that it will now be up to both coaches and players to fully capitalise on the revamped structure.
