REDLANDS Community Sports Hub is teaming up with Olympic badminton stars to launch a search for talented youngsters.

Boys and girls aged between seven and 12-years-old are invited to attend a talent event at Redlands on Sunday, April 26 with the aim of finding future members of the British team with the 2016 Olympics in mind.

Tracey Hallam, who represented Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, and Helen Troke MBE, who has won 82 badminton titles and represented GB 113 times, have committed their time to help Redlands coaches identify youngsters who have a natural talent for the sport.

Those who are successful will be offered top class coaching to fast track their skills for the 2016 Olympics.

All children, whatever their ability, will be able to continue playing at Redlands with new weekly kids’ sessions set to follow the trials.

Hallam said: “I am passionate about badminton and it is always exciting to find raw ability. Sometimes the most talented children show a natural ability, with no previous skill or experience of a sport.

“It’s also great to encourage all children to join in with the sport.”

Caroline Smith, sports centre development manager at Redlands, added: “We would like all kids aged seven to 12 to come along to the talent event – whether or not they’ve ever played badminton before.

“There’s no pressure to perform, we want them to have fun.”

Helen and sister Catherine Troke, an ex-England international player, will today visit primary schools in Weymouth in a bid to encourage children to attend the event.