Links
Badminton is a life-long sport. It’s a great way to stay fit, meet new people, and make new friends. If you'd like to know more, here are some resources to get you started.
Equipment & Services
Equipment choices are highly personal, and there are no right or wrong answers. You'll need to experiment to decide what works best for you, and even then, your needs and preferences may change over time. If you're looking for new equipment, or just want to change things up, here are some vendors to consider:
The Sweet Spot, www.sweetspotcanada.com (All needs; rackets, shoes, stringing, shuttles, etc.)
United Sport & Cycle, www.unitedsport.ca (Good selection of quality rackets)
SportChek, www.sportchek.ca (All needs: rackets, shoes, stringing, shuttles, etc.)
Tom Hudson, 780-886-0075 (Quality stringing services with fast turnaround, Sherwood Park)
Self-Coaching Resources
Coaching can be difficult to find, or prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, there are many excellent websites available to help players self-coach. Here are a couple you might be interested in:
The Badminton Bible, www.badmintonbible.com (Techniques and training tips)
Master Badminton, www.masterbadminton.com (Techniques and training tips)
YouTube Channels
From detailed instructional videos to full-length professional matches (and everything in between) these YouTube channels have something for everybody:
BadmintonWorld.tv (Official YouTube channel of the Badminton World Federation)
Badminton Famly (Technique and training tips)
Shuttle Life (Technique and training tips)
Shuttle Flash (General interest – anything and everything badminton)
Where to Play
Once a player has the equipment and knowledge, it’s time to put them into practice. Here are some places you can go to play:
B-Active Badminton Club is the premier club in the city. Coaching, competitive ladders, and drop-in sessions are all available at a reasonable price. If dropping in, call ahead to book a court.
EDBA clubs play every night of the week, and many allow drop-ins, usually for about $5.
Strathcona County offers youth and family programs that run each Fall, Winter, and Spring. (1 night/week for 10-12 weeks.)
The Edmonton Sport & Social Club has a relaxed attitude, and substitutes play for free. Singles, doubles, and Co-Ed leagues available.
Many recreational centers offer gym space for badminton (Dow Centennial Center, Millenium Place, Kinsmen Field House, etc.) For best service, call ahead to book a court.
Organizations
Badminton has governing bodies working at every level to support athletes, coaches, and officials. If you're looking for exposure to competitive badminton, then check out these organizations:
Local - Edmonton District Badminton Association, www.edba.org (the website lists 20+ local clubs)
Provincial - Badminton Alberta, www.badmintonalberta.ca
National - Badminton Canada, www.badminton.ca
International - Badminton Pan-Am, www.badmintonpanam.org
World - Badminton World Federation, www.bwfbadminton.com