Humans of Shuttle Time: Lorenzo Alfredo José Avila Torres
Shuttle Time Teacher, Badminton Federation of Venezuela
I was born in a small town in the state of Guárico. My mother was a schoolteacher and my father a merchant. During my childhood, I played soccer, basketball and baseball. As the son of a teacher, I was raised with strong values and a strong work ethic, always knowing that perseverance and effort bring rewards.
I was introduced to badminton in 2013, when I was working as a handball coach for my state and sharing the gym with the state’s badminton team.
First Experience
What sparked my interest is that it is a sport that requires a lot of discipline, is highly technical, fast, and dynamic, with an impressive level of mental and physical demand. After retiring as a handball coach, I had the opportunity to work with the badminton coaches from my state, who encouraged me to take the Shuttle Time course and become a grassroots coach. By 2020, I was already certified and became a national umpire. That same year, I started my own club, which serves children between the ages of 6 and 15.
Memorable Moments
By 2020, I served as a line judge at the National Games, which is the highest-level sporting event in the country. Later, I was an umpire at the National Games of the Military Institutes of Venezuela. In 2024, I was an umpire at the International Open held in the city of Maracay, where I had the opportunity to meet and watch Giovanni Totti, an Italian player who competed in the Olympic Games. I was also the umpire for his singles and doubles finals.
I had the chance to interact with several high-level athletes. At the national level, I’ve witnessed the talent of athletes like Frank Barrios and Willian Barrios. During the 2024 National Games, I saw the promise of players like Luis David Martínez, two-time national champion, and Denisse Arbelaez, who, despite being limited by an injury, gave everything on the court in what was an unforgettable experience.
But what has truly changed my life is seeing the growth of the athletes in my club and being able to teach values through badminton.
What Badminton Means
Badminton for me is a tool to change lives; it is a refuge where any worry fades away. In general, badminton — both personally and professionally — has been an activity to integrate, to socialise, to bring families together, and to give my kids a purpose and a life goal.
After having been a coach in elite-level football and handball, I can confidently say that badminton is a fascinating sport where physical and mental skills are pushed to the limit. The technical aspect is fundamental, and the dynamic nature of the game is truly captivating.
Developing Badminton in the Community
Developing badminton has been very rewarding. Seeing the journey from not even knowing how to hold a racket to reaching national championships is remarkable. It’s also inspiring as a coach to watch the kids remain consistent, hardworking, and focused, because badminton has taught them responsibility and given them the values to become good citizens.
Impact of Shuttle Time
The Shuttle Time programme takes us from an empirical approach to a more technical understanding, where the work is planned, controlled and progressive. Knowing that the process is fundamental, going step by step overcoming goals is important and giving the necessary continuity to learning.
