EMMA DUNN checks out a sociable game

WOMEN who fancy trying their hand at badminton are invited to an open day on August 30.

The Whitehorse Badminton Club is offering free taster sessions at the Oasis Leisure Centre with England international badminton player and professional coach Steve Hulbert.

It is all part of a bid to get more women joining the club, which meets at the Lime Kiln in Royal Wootton Bassett on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at the Oasis in Swindon on Thursdays.

The club’s social secretary, John Willis, said: “Anyone can play badminton.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are as long as you want to get up in the morning and socialise and have a good time.

“That is what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter if you can play or you can’t play, all the matters is are you going to have a go?

“Our club members range from beginners to top divisions. People come along to enjoy themselves, it’s so social. We have social evenings on Monday nights where we talk about everything apart from badminton as well as some badminton.”

The open day is at the Oasis from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, August 30.

The club’s regular badminton sessions take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8pm until 10pm at the Lime Kiln in Royal Wootton Bassett, and at the Oasis from 7.45pm until 10pm on Thursdays.

Members can choose which sessions they attend.

The club has 55 members, of whom about 40 are men. They are hoping the open day will encourage more women to join.

The club also has 42 junior members aged from eight to 15 who play on Friday nights.

There are five coaches to give guidance to members.

 

  • The open day is from 2pm until 4pm at the Oasis on August 30.

     

    Sessions take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8pm until 10pm at the Lime Kiln in Royal Wootton Bassett.

    There is also a session at the Oasis Leisure Centre from 7.45pm until 10pm on Thursdays.

    The first session is free. Annual membership is £115, then each session is an additional £3.50.

    To attend the open day email wannaplay@whitehorsebc.com. For more information visit http://www.whitehorsebc.com/