Badminton Geelong

Author: diptagni

  • flying feathers 22

    flying feathers 22

    Geelong secures 2027 BWF World Senior Championships

    The 2027 BWF World Senior Championships has been awarded to Geelong, Badminton Australia has announced. The Badminton World Federation on event is set to be hosted at the Badminton Geelong stadium and the Leisuretime Sports Precinct from November 28 to December 5 2027.

    The hosting win marks a major milestone for the sport in Australia and the broader Oceania region.

    The largest and most prestegious global badminton event will bring the world’s best senior badminton players in age groups from 35+ to 80+ to Geelong. The successful bid was the result of a strong collaborative partnership between Badminton Australia, the Victorian Government, and the City of Greater Geelong, delivering a compelling proposal that stood out in a highly competetive international field. The Championships are expected to attract thousands of athletes, officials and visitors from across the globe, delivering significant economic and tourism benefits to the region, while also showcasing Geelong and Victoria on the world stage.

    Badminton Geelong Development and Facilities Coordinator Naman Bhardwaj said the announcement projected exciting times ahead for the association. “This is a huge achievement for Badminton Geelong and a fantastic opportunity for our sport and community.”

    Badminton Geelong has established a strong record in hosting major championships and events. The association successfully hosted the 2024 Oceania Championships as well as state level Elite Junior Series events.

    Badminton Geelong also runs the most popular Victorian Badminton Veterans Associa on two-day event each year; the 2026 tournament a racted 750 players across four venues.

    Badminton Geelong Inc Newsletter Issue 22, June 2026

    Junior comp returns with a smash

    Our junior competition – the Geelong Junior Smash League – is back for Term 3, 2026, and we want your child to be part of it!

    Geelong Junior Smash League will he held every Thursday during Term 3 from 4pm to 5.30pm at the Badminton Geelong Stadium.

    This comp is for premium members and costs only $10 per player, per week.

    Ready to register? It’s easy: Scan the QR code in the image, or click this link: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/s12a1wmMqb

    Spots are limited so don’t wait!

    Inclusivity on court

    Badminton is way more fun when you’re surrounded by people who get you.

    That’s why we created this Shu le Smash event for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

    No experience needed, just show up as you are and we’ll take care of the rest.

    Its on July 4 and 11, from 2-3pm at Badminton Geelong, part of the Leisuretime Sports Precinct. Entry $10, equipment supplied. Enquiries +61 3 5275 0688.

    Badminton Geelong Inc Newsletter Issue 22, June 2026

    Monday Day Ladies season 1 2026 competition results:

    Section 1 winners

    Section 1 runners up

    Section 2 winners (left) and runners up

    Badminton Geelong Inc Newsletter Issue 22, June 2026

    Section 1 winners

    Section 1 runners up

    Section 2 winners

    July 5 is World Badminton Day

    World Badminton Day brings people and communities together to experience fun and the inclusivity of badminton.

    The day celebrates the establishment of the International Badminton Federation on (IBF), as it was originally named (now Badminton World Federation – BWF). This year we want to celebrate and ‘Raise A Racket’ to World Badminton Day while encouraging friends, family and community to get involved. To celebrate World Badminton Day on 5 July, we’re offering fans a chance to win a trip to the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in December 2026, Hangzhou, China.

    Step 1: Take a photo of you raising a racket or playing badminton.

    Step 2: Include #RaiseARacket #WorldBadmintonDay and tag @bwf.official

    Step 3: Upload to Instagram.

    Entries close 11:59pm on 08 July 2026. Winner announced 17 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

    Badminton Geelong Inc Newsletter Issue 22, June 2026

    Victoria Country squad invitations sent out

    Selections to the 2026 Vic Country Squad for regional Victorian junior badminton players have been made.

    The squad was selected following performances at recent regional events and forms part of the Country Victoria representa ve pathway managed through Badminton Geelong, the official Vic Country Hub.

    Selected squad members were invited to training sessions on 27 June and 25 July at Badminton Geelong focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and match-play development. Badminton Victoria HP State Coach and Geelong Badminton Academy head coach Naman Bhardwaj leads the sessions, following which the final Vic Country teams will be selected in the Under 13 and Under 17 age groups.

    Perfectly powerful para performances

    Badminton Geelong was wonderfully represented by two of our para players, Alex McKewan and Mike Simpkins, at the 2026 Australian National Para Badminton Championships.

    Mike took out gold in the SU5 men singles category and silver in SL3-SU5 men’s doubles. He also helped Victoria Blue to victory in the teams event.

    Alex played her heart out for Victoria Orange, participating in an amazingly long match and ended up winning.

    Their performances are a powerful reminder of what passion, resilience, and hard work can achieve. All Badminton Geelong members can be rightly proud of them not just for the results, but for the spirit and grace they bring to every match.

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    flying feathers 12

    Second Partner Portal sponsorship announced

    Badminton Geelong is pleased to announce its second official sponsor via it’s Partner’s Portal.
    Beyond Bank has officially partnered with Badminton Geelong, with the bank helping out with the recent veterans badminton tournament held at Geelong.

    Beyond Bank joins the Partnership Portal’s first sponsor, Kesari Indian Restaurant.

    Badminton Sports Development and Facilities Coordinator Naman Bhardwaj said Beyond Bank was already familiar with badminton through its connection with Badminton Victoria.

    “This partnership is a great step forward in building valuable community connections, and we’re excited about the positive impact it will have on the development of badminton in this region,” Naman said.

    He urged all Badminton Geelong members to consider opening an account with Beyond Bank to further support the sponsorship efforts.

    Advance your badminton

    Advance level coaching now available through the Geelong Badminton Academy.

    GBA has successfully nurtured a strong junior squad, with several juniors now competing at senior level in the Thursday night competition.

    This advantage is also being extended to senior players who wish the improve their game.

    With highly qualified coaches available, members and social players can learn some of the finer points of the game and help eliminate any problems or issues they may be experiencing.

    The coaching team is led by head coach Naman Bhardwaj who recently gained his BWF Level 2 Coaching Certification.

    The coaching team is keen to applying this knowledge to empower players, enhance performance pathways and continue growing the sport.

    Pictured below: Head coach Naman brings his
    experience of coaching at state and national level to
    GBA.

    From the Board

    The Badminton Geelong Inc Annual General Meeting will be held on March 13 at 6:30 pm in the Betty Sapwell Lounge at the BG stadium.

    All members are urged to attend to be up to date with crucial discussions involving key future developments.

    Voting will also be held for the four vacant positions on the board. Three Board members have one year remaining of their term: Tim, Vishal and Rebecca. This is a great opportunity for enthusiastic members to actively contribute to the growth and success of Badminton Geelong.

    We look forward to seeing you at the AGM and appreciate your ongoing support.

    Thanks for your patience!

    As most members would now be aware, the new Badminton Geelong booking platform has been established.

    Sportlogic is the new platform, offering enhanced capabilities both for members and players as well as staff.

    The new platform offers members their own customised portal via which they can book a court, book a coaching session or join social play.

    The portal also gives members an overview of their account, enabling renewal of memberships, keeps track of payments made and any credits purchased.

    The Badminton Geelong team appreciates the patience shown by members as the new system is bedded down and as teething issues are overcome.

    Vets prove age is no barrier

    Geelong hosted the first Victorian Badminton Veterans Association tournament for 2025, getting the series off to a great start.

    The two day event attracted well over 500 players across two sites, utilising all three stadiums at the Leisuretime Sports Precent as well as at St Joseph’s College.

    A combination of volunteers and staff ensured the event ran smoothly, with enhanced player facilities at both venues.

    The event was sold out in a day, with 17 teams missing out due to space constraints.

    Badminton Geelong in conjunction with the volunteer organisers will look hard for more court space to accommodate the demand for 2026.

    The Vets filled all available stadiums.

    The Beyond Bank Junior Classics series is back

    Geelong will again lead the charge as the first event in this popular series, hosting the event on Saturday April 5 2025 at Badminton Geelong Stadium.

    This is the series in which our Geelong juniors made their mark last year, winning multiple gold medals and selection to Victorian representative teams.

    The series provides a pathway for junior players in regional Victoria, fostering local talent through tournament play opportunities.

    The Beyond Bank Junior Classics also provide an opportunity for Badminton Victoria talent selectors to identify players to form teams to compete in a junior teams event, in the under 13 and under 17 categories.

    Players competing at this event will also be selected for a Victorian Country Team to compete at the national championships.

    Entries close on March 30. Entries are also open for the Shepparton and Bendigo Beyond Bank Junior Classics, with Ballarat and Gippsland to follow.

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    flying feathers 11

    BG ladies rule at the 40th annual Atalanta Jamboree

     Badminton Geelong was well represented at the 40th annual Atalanta Jamboree, with 18 ladies participating in the tournament at MSAC.

    The ladies participated at various levels and competed in individual as well as team events.

    Over four decades, the tournament has been a highly anticipated annual event attracting players from all over Australia and New Zealand.

    If you’ve ever wondered why it is called the Atalanta Jamboree, the event was aptly named after a heroine of Greek mythology, Atalanta (not to be confused with the American city), recognised for her speed, athleticism and femininity.

    Sporting schools

    Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools increase children’s participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities.

    Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life.

    So the Australian Sports Commission has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations including badminton and national sporting organisations for people with disability. There is a program for primary schools, and a targeted program for Year 7 and 8 students in secondary schools.

    Essentially SS gives out grants to schools to get them involved in sports. We have had 2 schools this year through SS, we would like to get at least 5 next year but we need to promote to schools that you can now hire us via your SS grant.

    Contact Naman at BG for more info.

    Coach Naman gets his top qualification

    On top of his already impressive resume, Geelong Badminton Academy head coach Naman Bhardwaj has officially achieved his BWF Level 2 Coaching Certification.

    This milestone represents countless hours of dedication, learning, and passion for badminton.

    “I’m grateful for the support of my mentors, colleagues, and the amazing badminton community that has been part of this journey,” Naman said.

    He gave special thanks to Badminton Geelong for its support in allowing him the opportunity to take part in the course.

    “I’m looking forward to applying this knowledge to empower players, enhance performance pathways, and continue growing the sport I love.”

    Our oldest active player going strong

    Badminton Geelong’s oldest active player celebrated a milestone recently. Maree was feted at a Monday morning ladies morning tea for her achievement

    Thursday night comp results

    Section one winners: Adam, Dan, Riley, Karl and Tim.

    Section one runners up: Tracey, Himal, Vijay, Chris and Peter.

    Section two winners: Jaclyn, CJ, Michael and May

    Section two runners up: Tracey and Sophie (James and Kerry absent).

    Badminton Geelong end-of-year celebration confirms that 80’s fluoro is alive and well

  • Which racquet do I choose?

    Which racquet do I choose?

    Which racquet do I choose?

    Here at the Badminton Geelong pro shop we are often asked: “What is a good racquet?”

    Now this is a very open ended question, and there is no simple answer.

    It depends on several factors, relevant to the person asking the question. A “good” racquet for one person might not suit another.

    Because badminton is growing in popularity, there are more people trying it out. As their play improves, so does their need for an appropriate racquet.

    Often they will be using a borrowed – or perhaps even a hired – racquet, which is total pot luck in terms of suitability.

    One of the issues for us as staff in answering this question is that often the person asking is relatively new to the sport of badminton. What they are actually asking for (whether they realise it or not) is more information about the sport’s key piece of equipment.

    The difficulty in answering such an open ended question is that the questioner usually has not played enough to determine what type of player they are. Are they a power hitter? Do they prefer control shots? Do they need a racquet that helps overcome a shortfall in their game?

    It is the answers to these questions that will help determine an appropriate racquet for their type of play.

    Because players might be new to the game, budget also becomes a factor. They are not sure if they will become regular players and tend to hedge their bets when it comes to spending top dollar on a racquet that might end up gathering dust.

    The Badminton Geelong pro shop offers a range of racquets by two different brands, Yonex and Protech. Yonex is recognised as one of the world’s leading badminton brands, so you can be sure of getting a quality product, but you also pay a premium for the brand. Protech is a relative newcomer to the sport, so offers more budget friendly equipment.

    It’s useful to have a chat to other more experienced players – most people are only too happy to share the thinking behind their choice of racquet. You can see how they play and why the racquet might suit them.

    Feel free to have a chat with the friendly staff at the Badminton Geelong pro shop as well. All staff have wide experience in the game and can explain the pros and cons of any of the racquets in stock.

    After gathering that information, you will be able to confidently answer your own question.