Badminton clubs are going strong
As winter drags on and fitness levels threaten to go down, badminton may be an option for those who like an indoor racquet sport to improve fitness, agility, strength, speed, precision and motor co-ordination.
There are two clubs in Golden Bay—one in Collingwood, one in Takaka—that have been running successfully for many years and enjoy steady support from their members.
Takaka badminton “is in good heart” said club member Kerry Geen.
“Our club is run very informally and it is non-competitive, and we have a lot of fun. Our numbers are slightly down this year. We have the same core group of players as in previous years and quite a few new players, but with anything between 12 and 20 players turning up on Tuesday nights we do not have the numbers to have a draw.” An invitation to senior students has now resulted in a good mix of students and adults, Kerry said.
Junior badminton has just started to train the next generation of players. “We need to encourage young players and build up their skills from the early ages. This is great group coming up, and a good bunch of parents who are really getting involved in their children’s sport.”
Tournaments will take place later in the season with some of the Takaka players travelling to Hope for a match, and a traditional catch-up with the Collingwood club for a friendly game during the winter season.
Collingwood Club organiser Nancy-Jean Bell said they had a really committed core group among their 20-plus players, which made the club successful. They play all year round, only stopping for Christmas, and have players of all ages and skill levels.
“Our oldest player, Adrian Veenfliet, has just semi-retired at 70. He had a knee injury and now only plays occasionally, but you should have seen him play at 68—he would dive across the floor and roll up at the other end. I want to be able to do that at 68!”
Nancy-Jean reassures new players that they can come along and try badminton out even if their fitness levels are not quite like Adrian’s. Even if you don’t want to compete, children and adults still get a great level of satisfaction out of playing. It is an accepted part of our club that we play with all levels and it is all about having some fun.” New players picked up the game really fast, she said, and fun was more important than fitness.
An annual donation from Trash Palace is helping to keep the gear up to date and allows the club to provide enough racquets for junior and casual players.
Takaka Badminton Club hours are Tuesdays, juniors 6-7pm, older students and adults 7-9pm at the high school.
Collingwood Badminton Club hours are Thursdays, 3.30-4.30pm for junior players and 4.30-6pm for adults, young and old.
Ina Holst
