Meet Our Head Coach

Stephen Willis

Stephen Willis is the Head Coach of TheDKWay Badminton Academy and a Badminton England Level 3 qualified coach with a passion for developing players to reach their full potential.

With many years of coaching experience, Stephen has worked with players at every stage of their badminton journey, from complete beginners taking their first steps in the sport to athletes competing at the highest levels.

One of his proudest achievements has been coaching Paralympian Martin Rooke, supporting his development from a novice player through to representing Great Britain on the world stage and achieving his Olympic ambition.

Stephen's coaching philosophy is built around long-term player development. He believes that strong technical foundations, intelligent tactical understanding and a positive training environment are the keys to sustained success. Every session is designed to challenge players while helping them grow in confidence, resilience and enjoyment of the game.

A defining feature of Stephen's coaching is his commitment to continuous learning. Every year he spends time working and training in Denmark, one of the world's leading badminton nations, learning from different coaching environments and bringing new ideas and methods back to the academy.

This commitment to evolving and improving is the inspiration behind "TheDKWay" — combining the best of international coaching practices with a player-centred approach to development.

Stephen has extensive experience in junior, county and performance badminton and is dedicated to creating opportunities for players to progress, whether their goal is to enjoy the sport, represent their county or compete at national and international level.

Meet Our Assistant Coach

Daniel Wykes

Daniel Wykes is the Assistant Coach at TheDKWay Badminton Academy and one of England's leading young badminton players.

At just 20 years old, Daniel combines elite playing experience with a passion for helping the next generation of players develop their game.

Daniel was crowned the Under 17 National Singles Champion, a testament to his technical ability, dedication and competitive mindset.

He has continued to build on that success and is currently a Grade A Singles player, competing regularly at the highest levels of domestic badminton.

Most recently, Daniel added to his achievements by winning the Senior Silver Open Singles Gold Medal, demonstrating his ability to compete successfully against experienced senior opposition.

As a full-time badminton player, Daniel brings current, high-level experience into every coaching session. Working alongside Head Coach Stephen Willis, he helps players develop modern technical skills, tactical awareness and the mindset required to perform under pressure.

Daniel is passionate about inspiring young players and proving that with commitment, hard work and the right coaching environment, ambitious goals can become reality. His journey from National Junior Champion to senior competitor perfectly reflects TheDKWay philosophyof continuous learning, personal development and striving for excellence.

"I know what it takes to progress through the junior game and into senior competition, and I want to help every player believe in their own potential and enjoy the journey."

Meet Our Assistant Coach

Daniel Davey

Daniel Davey is an Assistant Coach at TheDKWay Badminton Academy and a former Top 10 ranked Under 19 player in England.

Having competed at a high level throughout his junior career, Daniel brings a wealth of playing experience and knowledge to the academy.

Daniel was coached by Stephen Willis throughout his development and credits much of his success to Stephen's coaching philosophy and player-centred approach.

Having experienced TheDKWay journey first-hand, he is passionate about passing that knowledge and experience on to the next generation of players.

Although now heavily involved in coaching, Daniel continues to compete, ensuring that his coaching remains relevant and up to date with the demands of the modern game. His combination of competitive experience and coaching insight allows him to help players develop technically, tactically and mentally.

Daniel is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment where players can enjoy badminton, build confidence and achieve their personal goals.

"Having been coached by Stephen from a young age, I know the impact that great coaching can have. I'm proud to be part of TheDKWay and to help develop the next generation of badminton players."

Melissa Gentle

Academy Director

Supporting the development of badminton across the region through academy programmes, competitions, camps and player support initiatives.