Sport
11 March, 2023
Badminton players aim to socially please everybody
SINCE the 1970s, the Cairns Badminton Association has been training local badminton enthusiasts and creating an inviting space for those who are into the game, not the competition.
Cairns Badminton Association president John Spannenburg said the club focused on the game’s social aspect more than the official competitions.
“We don’t have a season; we play all year round; we don’t stop for anything, including Christmas Day,” Mr Spannenburg said.
“We don’t engage in any competitions per se; occasionally, the Townsville Badminton Club may have a competition that some players attend, but we don’t have an official competition ourselves.
“The games are competitive, and people are playing to win, but it’s not about organised competitions; it’s a social club.”
Cairns Badminton holds social games on Tuesday and Friday nights and Sunday mornings at the Cairns Youth and Recreation Centre, with about 40-50 regular players attending.
Members book online on a session-tosession basis of $10 per adult and $7 for U16s. With each session, Cairns Badminton offers its members free racket loans and shuttle services; no prerequisites, no age limits, and no experience are needed.
“We’ve got a website where you can go and register so we have your details; that’s part of our COVID protocol, so if someone gets sick, we can let everyone know,” Mr Spannenburg said.
“Anyone can register and make bookings online, and you can come to play. “Every session, we have someone learning, we have players of every ability, and we certainly get new players who haven’t played before.
“As one of the less cool average players, I take my time if there’s someone new to play at least one game with them and give them some starters and tips and try to lift them up.
“One of our best players started when he was 12 years old, and he’d never picked up a racket; he’s 21 now and one of the best players; it does happen.
“And it’s an all-ages sport; we’ve got players certainly into their 70s, and the youngest player is 10,” he said.
Mr Spannenburg said that although member numbers had been very stable in the last five years, they always required the community’s support to survive.
“We run as a not-for-profit, so we need enough players to cover the hire of the hall; that’s our primary need, to be self-sufficient,” he said.
“We either break even or are close enough, and we adjust our fees to suit.
“Our sessions last three hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm to 10.30pm and two hours on Sundays from 10am to 12pm, and our fees cover as many games as you can play on that time.
“The club supplies shuttles to keep people coming, and we loan rackets, although most players bring their own.
“This year, we want to keep enough people not to lose any money and have a good time.”
Mr Spannenburg encouraged people who enjoy playing sports without the pressure of competition to join Cairns Badminton.
“Badminton is great for fitness,” Mr Spannenburg said.
“They say that racket sports are best for your longevity, and badminton is one of them.
“It gives you exercise without the utter boredom of running down a road, you’re exercising, and you’re genuinely having fun while doing it.
“I used to play squash, but it was so serious and competitive that I had enough.
“We’re not so serious, we’re competitive during the game, but we don’t have any organised competitions, no umpire, just good fun.”
To join Cairns Badminton or book a session, visit www.cairnsbadminton.net
