Badminton club seeking new members

Now that the colder weather has arrived, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Badminton Club is meeting in the community centre, and could use a few new members.

League convenor Ted Little says they’ve got about 20 members playing on two courts, and have a third court available. They’d be thrilled to have another 10 members.

Ron Planche, a regular player for some time, says it isn’t “backyard badminton,” but there is a varied level of skill levels in the club.

He says badminton “is a wonderful, inclusive, non-contact sport that only requires a light racquet and soft sole shoes that won’t mark the court. It’s a great social sport, easily played that will exercise your reflexes and provide an element of weight control, the good fun way.”

It is really easy to play, he says. “Just pick up your racquet, lace up your shoes, show up Mondays and Fridays between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the NOTL community centre, and be ready to play.” Double COVID-19 vaccination proof is required.

Badminton, despite appearances, played well is “the world’s fastest racquet sport,” says Planche. “Surprised? Faster than tennis, squash and ping pong.”

But more to the point, he adds, at the community centre, “you will find badminton is a terrific sport that will keep you healthy and fit, while losing weight. Badminton boasts 60 to 70 per cent aerobic and 30 to 40 per cent anerobic.”

The first, he explains, provides benefits of stamina, strengthening the heart, and a longer life. It also strengthens bones, burns fat, and maintains muscle fat. It is estimated at medium activity three hours a week over the year, you will lose about 10 pounds.

“Badminton is a great way to meet a lot of new people, and newcomers to NOTL find badminton a great way to network with people that share common interests.”

It is also an ideal sport for current squash and tennis players, and current members of the club are always on hand to help newer players to the sport develop their skill set, says Planche.

Little has been playing with the club since the days when members met at the old Platoff Street community centre. Its low ceiling and uneven floors were issues, and the new facility has been very much appreciated.

He took over the role of convenor in 1996, but says the club had been meeting for several years before that.

The pandemic “hit us hard,” says Little. “We couldn’t play for 18 month, and a lot of people have found that time has taken its toll.”

Most of the members are seniors, and a lot who joined did so as beginners, but have become “pretty good.” One long-time member in particular, Brian Law, is usually available to offer some tips.

The annual fee is $120, but those who want to try it out are welcome to attend a session. Those who come out infrequently can choose to pay $5 a game, rather than an annual membership, says Little.

For more information, call Law at 289-630-1828, or Little at 905-468-5066, or email him at [email protected].