dmintonThis web-site was set up by Julian Svoboda in November 2002 as a general resource to the badminton community, and to suggest some solutions to the problems currently experienced by the sport in the UK.
Reason for setting up the site
I have been playing badminton in the UK for about 16 years, having played at a number of clubs around the country (approximately 8). I also played for a year at a club in Grenoble (GUC Badminton), France, which was the first time I ever played outside the UK. Having played there, my eyes were opened as to another, exciting way badminton could be played, and I returned to the UK in 1998 very impressed, and disappointed that a similar set-up was not operated on this side of the Channel.
Every year since then (with one exception) I have returned to France to compete in French badminton tournament(s).
I am approximately county standard, and I have played in various badminton tournaments in the UK. However each time there I have met one of the top seeded county players, and generally been trounced! This is completely de-motivating, and after each time I wondered why I bothered going, wasting money on the entry fee, transport, and a whole day of my time, without learning anything in the process.
Playing in French tournaments has always been a pleasure, as it has allowed me to work my way up over the years from grades E to B (at present). Whenever I go there I know I'll get good games at my own level, and have a generally good time. I have a number of friends from my old club in France, and each time I go I meet new people, who I'm sure I'll meet again at the next tournament / next year.
Before going to a French tournament I'm motivated to do well, and train to get in shape for the tough competition I know I'll face there (including swimming, going on 10/12 mile runs - despite my traditional dislike for running - etc). Back in the UK, is there anything at all for me to motivate myself over? Local league matches? - I don't think so! UK tournaments? - a waste of time!
I cannot understand why I need to go from the country that invented the sport to another in order to play in a decent badminton tournament!
I have become more and more disillusioned with the sport in the UK, and feel that badminton in the UK has some fundamental problems that need to be addressed if the sport is to remain competitive (see The Way Forwards).
I also feel annoyed about what I believe to be missed opportunities - if such a system were currently in place, I can think of numerous (often very good) players who would still be playing badminton. I have also met many good players, often around county level, who for various reasons were not able to play for the county, and as such are excluded from the system (e.g. due to work / family commitments, or occasionally personal disputes / politics with county selectors). Having been effectively excluded, what is there to fight for?
I occasionally wonder why I bother carrying on playing, and my only answer would be my love for the sport. If it weren't for that, I think I'd have given up long ago! Knowing the existence of a far better alternative, which I have tried to explain clearly and succinctly (?) on this web-site, I am no longer prepared to simply sit back and accept the status quo. I have therefore set up this web-site to bring what I believe to be an exciting alternative to the attention of badminton players across the country (since the different national associations must know all about it already).
I honestly believe that if the BA of E / SBU / WBU aren't careful, the current problems will slowly get worse and worse on the domestic front, and other countries (including France) will overtake the UK on the international scene, based on a much larger grass-roots base and a nurturing, competitive environment that is open to all players.
I believe that the way forwards is clear, and simply hope that the national associations act in time before the sport declines too far in the UK.
Yea, verily have I seen the light, and the light that shone forth was so bright that all who beheld it were blinded
- so I missed the shuttle.
GUC Badminton Tournament, Grenoble, March 2002.