Debbie Foote, 15, is a volunteer and badminton player in Grantham, Lincolnshire. She began playing badminton 4 years ago at the South Kesteven Development Squad, and now plays in both junior and senior leagues for Grantham. She is currently in year 11, studying for her GCSEs at Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School.

She is also a Young Ambassador for sport. Young Ambassadors have a strong link to the Olympic Games: to raise awareness of the Games and to increase participation in sport. Last year with the support of her team of sports ambassadors and South West Lincolnshire School Sports Partnership, Debbie organised assemblies in all 37 schools on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and later, during the inaugural National School Sports Week, the South West Lincolnshire Schools Games. The day was predominantly run by young people, over 80 sports leaders from secondary schools; there were over 420 partaking year 3&4 pupils and 40 VIPs, including Olympic gold-medallist Duncan Goodhew, Roderick Bradley (aka Spartan), Clive Wright and Dame Kelly Holmes flew in on her "kellycopter" as well! The Games saw the leaders working with the primary school children who took part in multiskills; they develop a child's all round skills, the fundamentals, thus not limiting them to a specific sport. This would increase a child's ability in any sport, and make it easier to begin playing badminton for instance.

With her coach, Rod Tyler, Debbie organised South West Lincolnshire Badminton Week, which began with a tournament and a poster competition took place throughout the week. The competition was based on the European Badminton Championships in Liverpool, and so it was cross curricular, incorporating subjects such as art, history, geography and ICT. The winners, runners up, family and friends were invited to a presentation and the children took part in a BISI badminton festival afterwards, run by local sports leaders. The children have all been invited to continue playing and their posters were displayed in Liverpool at the Championships.

At her own school, with friend and sports ambassador Amy, she set up and ran 2 badminton clubs, encouraging pupils of all ages to attend. They started the House Badminton Tournament, which last year saw a few unexpected faces taking part, but many continuing to play as they enjoyed it. She also organises and runs the badminton club at a local primary school, despite the hall being small, with a low ceiling and no proper nets or court lines! However, the children really enjoy it and some have joined local junior clubs.

Debbie captains her school team in the Centre Parcs National Inter schools Badminton tournament, where they have reached the regional final. She has encouraged her team mates throughout and they now play at the South Kesteven Development Squad and in the Nottinghamshire Junior League. Debbie has been selected as the volunteer co-ordinator for the South Kesteven area, which involves the organisation of tournaments, increasing participation with young people and recruiting more sports leaders.

Debbie says,

"I believe sport is a very powerful thing. It can change people, influence their whole lives. I've always been a sporty person, so I thought I'd take on the responsibility of getting other people involved. It has become a time consuming part of my life, but seeing the positives, such as your players improving and just enjoying themselves, makes me realise how important and worthwhile my role is. I try to act as a role model for young people, to show them what they can achieve if they are determined and work hard enough. I believe anything can be achieved if someone focuses enough; I would never have thought I'd be Yonex Young Volunteer of the Year 2008, but here I am! And it feels great!"