Where can I find Badminton Clubs near me? - Our Guide

Badminton is the most played racket sport in the UK and the fourth most participated out of all sports. It is one one the UK’s most gender balanced sports and one of the few sports where men and women can compete together due to the mixed doubles format. So where can I find a badminton club near me? This article will look to address that very question so that you can find the best local badminton club. If however you are looking for a Badminton Court near you, check this article instead. 

 

There are over 2100 badminton clubs across England but with all of them being run by volunteers. Unfortunately this usually results in very little marketing done to promote them and it can sometimes be difficult to find a badminton club in your local area. Hopefully the advice given below will help find a great badminton club near you.

 

So, Where can I find badminton clubs near me?

• Badminton England Club Finder - Badminton England are the national governing body for badminton in England and have recently revamped their website to include many helpful search tools to points you in the right direction of places to play, coaches and clubs. In the club finder search function searches can be filtered to include a specific location, beginner friendly clubs and age categories. The Badminton England club finder would be our number one recommended way to find a club in your area of England.
  
  
• Badminton England No Strings Sessions - If you are looking to play more casually and not commit to a single club, with a large initial joining fee, then finding a No Strings session may be a great option.
  
  The No Strings badminton initiative presents a participation program that features weekly, enjoyable, and social pay-and-play sessions. This program, with its low-cost approach, brings the beloved racket sport of the nation to an even broader audience. The sessions are guided by a co-ordinator who is there to help players mix and generally encourage a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. No Strings also helps to bridge the gap between recreational and league standard play so there is no pressure or expectation in terms of playing level. The Badminton England session finder is a great tool to find a No Strings badminton club session near you.
  
  
• County Badminton Association Websites - Most areas in the UK will have a county badminton organisation which, along with Badminton England, will support badminton within the region. A quick google search for your county badminton organisation should guide you to the appropriate website and they will usually list the badminton clubs within the area, as well as key contact details for each club.
  
  
• Google Search - A simple Google search for ‘badminton clubs near me’, should provide plenty of options. Google maps is a handy tool and should be able to show the exact distance of each club from your current location. It is worth noting however that some information is not always accurate or up to date so it may be worth cross referencing with some of the other club search methods listed in this article. 
  
  
• Social Media - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be use tools to find badminton clubs near you. Many clubs and local organsiations have accounts themselves or you may find fellow enthusiasts to ask for help. 
  
  
• Meetup - Meetup.com is a great resource to find events or groups to play badminton within your local area. These can range from official badminton clubs to more casual arrangements and is a great way to scoailise and meet new people. 
  
  
• Local Sport Facilities - Visit or call local sports facilities to enquire if there are any activities or clubs for badminton. 
  
  
• Online Forums - Forums are a useful online resource to chat with like minded individuals and appeal for any information you may need. These forums can be general such as Reddit, or more specific to your interest. For badminton, the most popular forum is Badminton Central. This website is particularly useful as there is a specific section for players looking for places to play, clubs and local events and a subsection for many countries or regions. 

What are the benefits of playing Club Badminton?

Apart from being highly enjoyable, playing badminton offers a wide range of physical, social, and mental benefits. Let's delve into some of these advantages that make badminton one of the healthiest sports to participate in.

• Promotes Cardiovascular Health: Regular participation in badminton provides significant cardiovascular benefits. It aids in conditioning and strengthening the heart muscles, while also helping to lower hypertension and reduce the risk of blood vessel blockages. Additionally, badminton has the potential to lower triglyceride levels and increase the levels of beneficial "good" cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
  
  
• Alleviates Depression, Stress, and Anxiety: Engaging in physical activities like badminton triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-enhancing hormones. This physiological response contributes to alleviating feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. Moreover, participating in badminton improves overall mood and enhances the quality of sleep, resulting in better mental well-being.
   
• Fosters Social Interaction: Badminton provides an excellent platform for socializing and counteracting feelings of isolation and loneliness. Engaging in doubles play, in particular, offers an enjoyable opportunity to build connections with others, while simultaneously fostering teamwork and communication skills. This social aspect of badminton can contribute significantly to an individual's sense of community and belonging.

Engaging in badminton not only offers a fun and engaging way to stay active but also brings a host of health benefits that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction.

 

What do you need for playing badminton on court?

• Badminton Racket: It's obvious that you'll need a badminton racket to play. Although some sports centers provide rental rackets, they might be of lower quality or weight. Purchasing your own racket is recommended if feasible. For guidance, you can refer to BadmintonHQ's helpful racket buying guide.
  
  
• Comfortable Sports Clothing: As badminton can be sweaty, wear clothing that permits free movement and wicks away sweat. Polyester-based badminton clothing, gym tops, and shorts are good choices.
  
  
• Sports Footwear: Ideally, invest in indoor badminton shoes, especially if you are looking to play regularly or competitively. These provide better grip, support, and stability. If this isn't feasible, regular gym shoes can suffice. Please note however that some clubs and facilties may be strict upon only allowing shoes with non-marking soles. In more advanced clubs it is considered important to change into indoor specific footwear after arriving so that outside debris is not brought onto the courts.
  
  
• Towel: Bring a towel to wipe off sweat or for post-game showers. People often underestimate how much they sweat during a badminton session.
  
  
• Change of Clothes: Since you probably won't want to travel home sweaty, having a change of clothes is advisable if you intend to shower and change after playing.
  
  
• Water: Staying hydrated is essential during the game. Always carry water with you to the court. We provide a range of Drinks Bottles for Badminton.
  
  
• Money: Some clubs require guests to pay a guest fee and many can only take cash, so it is advisable to take cash along with you. It may be good practice to check with the club contact before going along how much it will be so you can bring the exact change.

Being well-equipped ensures that you're ready to have a great time and give your best performance on the badminton court.