Emma aims to net new sporting role

Former badminton international Emma Mason

The 30-year-old from Edinburgh has been nominated by BADMINTONscotland to be a member of the Badminton World Federation Council.

There are 35 nominations for the 18 places on the council with voting due to take place during the Sudirman Cup in Australia’s Gold Coast at the end of May.

Emma can count on substantial international support having built strong relationships during her time as chair of the BWF Players’ Association – and already has the support of China, Finland, Poland, Spain and Malaysia.

If successful, Emma will serve on the council for three years. Emma works as an associate solicitor specialising in sport with a London legal firm. She holds a first class honours degree in chemistry from Glasgow University and followed this by gaining her law qualifications.

She is a graduate of the UK Sport International Leadership Programme and since 2016 has been an IOC Athlete Career Programme Facilitator.

In her badminton career, she represented Scotland 28 times, won three international tournaments and three Scottish National women’s doubles titles.

Since 2016 she has been a director of the Badminton Europe Confederation and is chair of the Member Structures Commission.

Speaking about her nomination, Emma said: “As a former Scottish international player turned sports lawyer, I have, from an early age, consistently made time for and enjoyed contributing to the development of our sport.

“I have a particular interest in assisting the players in having a greater and more effective voice at the decision-making level and in facilitating their transition from sporting career to their career after sport.

“I am also keen to use the professional knowledge I have developed since retiring from badminton in supporting and furthering the commercial, good governance and administrative aspects of world badminton and the sport we all love.”

The BWF regulates, promotes, develops and popularises the sport globally and organises inspiring world events and has a vision of “giving every child a chance to play for life”.

Anne Smillie, chief executive of BADMINTONscotland and a former BWF Board member, said: “I have known Emma ever since her early years as a player and she has brought that same determination and enthusiasm to her work. The interests of the players is something she is passionate about but her time working on various Commissions has given her the chance to develop strong relationships within the badminton family.”