LESLEY UPHILL
Lesley is the Lead Badminton Coach of the Foreland Badminton Academy and heads up the badminton programme at the Canterbury Kings Club. She is a qualified Badminton England Level 3 Coach and Coach Educator, in addition to being a REPS Level 3 Personal Trainer. At Canterbury Kings she runs sessions for disability players and boasts one of the largest para badminton groups in the country. She is also involved in many Badminton England initiatives like Racket Pack and Smash Up! Alongside her work she still plays badminton competitively. During her playing career she has represented England, reaching number 1 in the English National Rankings and gained over 100 caps for her home county. She has captained one of the Kent Masters teams and is the current Kent Masters Ladies Doubles Champion. Lesley's aim is to create opportunities for players and coaches in an inclusive environment, that will help them develop and thrive as individuals both on and off court, by assisting them to maximise their full potential and learning experiences.
LEE FUNNELL
Lee is a qualified Badminton England Level 2 Coach and also a part of the Racket Pack and Smash Up initiative set up by Badminton England. She is also employed as a badminton coach for The Kings School Sports Centre. Having played badminton on and off since a teenager, her passion lies in coaching the younger generation to fulfil their potential. She enjoys playing competitively at league level and is on the committee for the North Foreland Badminton Association.
LISA MILLS
Lisa is a qualified Badminton England Level 2 Coach. Having played since she was in year 5 at school, Lisa progressed through the leagues and played in the Senior County 2nd and 3rd team before having her family. She currently plays in the master’s team for her age and competitively in two local leagues. She has a passion for coaching juniors and children with special needs, to achieve what they never thought they could, whilst having fun!
GRAHAM MILLS
Graham has been playing badminton for over 40 years at club and league level, he is also recently played for Kent in the Masters Inter County matches. He is a Badminton England Level 1 Coach and runs the recently established 'Broadstairs Junior Badminton Club', which he set up with his wife in 2023. We are very happy that he is now part of the team and helping support the coaches and players at the Foreland Badminton Academy.