Olympic badminton teams from Australia and Canada have chosen Etwall Leisure Centre in South Derbyshire as a base for their pre-2012 Olympic Games training preparation.

Players from both nations will spend a week at the Active Nation managed centre just days before the Games begin.

The training camp, organised by The Derbyshire Management Group for the 2012 Games chose Etwall Leisure Centre because of its status as a recognised national specialist badminton facility.

Team selections have not yet been made, but each delegation is likely to include around five players plus two or three coaches and officials.

Both teams are due to arrive in South Derbyshire on July 16th, and leave on July 23rd, when they will make their way directly to the Olympic Village ready for the start of the games.

During their time training, the players and coaches will work with former GB Badminton director Andy Wood, who was Head Coach of the GB team at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics. Andy will coordinate sparring players from the UK to train with the team.

Andy, who lives in South Derbyshire, coached Simon Archer and Joanne Goode to Britain's first Olympic medal, a bronze in Sydney in 2000, and Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms to their silver at Athens in 2004.

David Johns, Contract Manager for Active Nation in South Derbyshire said: "I'm delighted that Badminton Canada and Badminton Australia have chosen to base their Olympic training at Etwall Leisure Centre, it's a fantastic endorsement for the Centre, and the development of sport here in South Derbyshire".

Rory Slater, Derbyshire 2012 Legacy Co-ordinator and a member of the Derbyshire 2012 Management Group, said: "The Derbyshire Management Group for the 2012 Games is working with partners to bring the excitement of the Olympics and Paralympics to Derbyshire and create a legacy from the Games in the county."

"More than 60 Derbyshire-based businesses have secured contracts relating to the 2012 Games, more than 70% of schools in the county have signed up to be part of Get Set - the London 2012 education programme, and our great county will be part of the Olympic Torch Relay route with many local people acting as torchbearers. This visit by Olympic badminton teams from Australia and Canada is yet another way that Derbyshire will play its own direct part in the Games."

Frank McArdle, Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council and a member of the Derbyshire 2012 Management Group, said: "The Council has worked hard over the last eight months to secure this fantastic opportunity for its residents.

"We are extremely proud the Australian and Canadian badminton teams will be using our state of the art, Olympic standard badminton facilities at Etwall Leisure Centre. It is exciting to be preparing to welcome international stars into the heart of South Derbyshire.

"The excellent facilities available will exceed the requirements of players and coaches. We wish both teams every success and are delighted to be playing a small part in helping them to realise their ambitions."

Andy Wood, former GB Badminton Performance Director, said: "The facilities at Etwall Leisure Centre will be an ideal training ground for the teams in their final preparations for the Olympics."

Kyle Hunter, Executive Director, Badminton Canada, said: "Badminton Canada is greatly appreciative of the training opportunity being provided in Derbyshire prior to the Olympic Games. It will be of great benefit to our athletes in their preparation for the Olympic Games, providing them an opportunity to acclimatise and train with high quality players and coaches. The Canadian badminton team is looking forward to an excellent camp in South Derbyshire and the opportunity to thank the community for their hospitality."

Lasse Bundgaard, National Coach, Badminton Australia, said: "Badminton Australia is very much looking forward to training in South Derbyshire and is grateful to all those involved in organising this pre Games training camp. The camp will form an important part of the preparation for the Games in London and we are delighted to have the opportunity to be hosted at such a great facility in Etwall and to work with Andy Wood again. We also hope that our athletes may have a little time to relax in the wonderful surroundings of South Derbyshire."