According to Wikipedia, the fastest tennis serve ever of 263 km/h belongs to Aussie Samuel Groth. Struck by China’s doubles maestro Fu Haifeng, the fastest badminton smash exceeds that mark by over sixty ks, registering a staggering 332 km/h. Yet ask anyone about badminton and, in all likelihood, Fu’s 2005 smash won’t be cited.
No, the sport’s greatest claim to fame/infamy in recent times were the deplorable attempts by the top seeds in the London Olympics Women’s Doubles event to manipulate the draw by throwing matches. (Poetic justice saw the odds-on Gold Medal favourite Chinese pair disqualified, along with teams from South Korea and Indonesia!) As a low point for the sport, it was Wiley-Coyote face-plant rock bottom, no denying. But let’s face facts: sooner or later, all sports have their Tiger-Tiger-burning-not-quite-so-bright, Lance unlucky-number-seven Armstrong moments.
For many an Aussie, cork bats, wobbly shuttles and beach sand spring to mind whenever badminton is mentioned. Such an impression is quickly dismissed as soon as the passerby views our high-intensity, super-fast sport in action through the hallway windows at Sport UNE. Either that; or it is thought to be an ‘Asian’ game. Popular though it undoubtedly is throughout Asia and the Middle East, it may surprise many to know it has large followings in England, Denmark and America. The UNE Badminton club lays claim to a wide assortment of nationalities and occupations: doctors, labourers, students, wage-earners, etc. Ages too vary from young to err . . . older-than-we’d-care-to-admit! Currently members travel from Tamworth and Inverell to play each week.
Badminton is the most egalitarian of all the racquet sports. The serve doesn’t dominate as it often does in both tennis and table tennis, thereby ensuring more rallies which equates with greater enjoyment. It is the easiest of those sports in which to grasp the basics. It allows for a greater degree of on-court social engagement than squash, though they are on a par in terms of the stamina and explosive athleticism required to compete. Men and women play together internationally and at grassroots levels. And the sun-conscious among us revel in the out-of-the-elements, rain-hail-or-shine nature of the contest.
Club racquets are available for those wishing to give it a try. First time is free! All ages and standards are welcome. Coaching is available. Sets are arranged on an informal basis. The UNE Badminton Club times are: Fridays 6 – 9 pm; Sundays 1.30 – 4 pm at the Campbell Hall, Sport UNE. For more information: email gothespeedUNE@gmail.com or Facebook UNE Badminton Club. Borrowing online Badminton World Magazine’s tagline: No sport comes close!
