BADMINTON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 25 June 1931, Page 7

BADMINTON

AN ATTRACTIVE PASTIME ITS POPULARITY INCREASES THE GAME DESCRIBED Badminton is a game which is rising to prominence in Wanganui and a very interesting outline of its attractive (pialities has been given by tlie Rev. H. W. Austin, of the Collegiate' School (states tlie “Chronicle”). To many in New Zealand Badminton is little known. “Badminton!'’ I have heard it said; “Oh, yes! a kind of pingpong. You play it on a table, don’t you?” Or, if the fact that if is played with a shuttle is mentioned, visions of liattledore and shuttlecock arise,— "a graceful game from grandmother’s days.” Players with their racquets seen on trams have even been asked whether they were going shrimping, while curiosity is always aroused by the sight ol men in white flannels on a dark or wot winter’s night. And this, in spite of the fact that there are some SO Badminton clubs in existence in New Zealand and at least 1400 regular players of the game spread between Auckland and the Bluff.

What is this game? It is best described by comparison with its younger brother, hnvii, tennis. It is played indoors with racquets similar to tennis racquets but much lighter, on a court slightly larger than half the size of a tennis court. The net is sft. high and the missle, a feathered ball, more commonly known as a shuttlecock. The game itslef resembles tennis, though the scoring is different. Tennis strokes are employed, though both on account of the lightness of the racquet and of the necessity to keep the shuttle within limited space, much more wrist work is employed than in tennis. The gauie is marked by its variety: Hard hitting and pace on the one hand, a nicety of judgment with short and gentle strokes on the other hand. The feathered ball is so made that it requires considerable strength to drive it from one end of the court to the other; also, it may not and does not bounce, hence everything is taken on the volley. There is no waiting for the “bird,” as the shuttle is sometimes called, to come to you, you have to get to it. A court 44ft long by 20ft wide may sound small, but the 22t‘t. on your side of the net seems quite enough to go backwards and forwards over when you have to reach on the volley, first short one just over the net, and then a “clearing” shot 22ft. behind you. The 20ft of width, top, gives ample scope both for cross court drives and smashes, and for clever short net play. A little practice at the game and a player becomes remarkably quick on his feet and learns to cover the court. The game then consists less, perhaps, in the placing of the shuttle on a part of the court momentarily Reyoiul the reach of an opponent, than in getting the shuttle to that point before he can be there to receive it; and remember, he lias to be there on the spot—there is no waiting for the bounce. Anticipation plays a large part in the game. Here, also, arises the question of partnership. With the possibility of drawing one player to the net in readiness for. short drop shots, and of driving the other to the back of the court>with.clearing shots, it is easy.'for a pair to become confused and out.of place.' I think that without hesitation I may. state that a more'thorough and complete understanding between partners is required in Badminton than in any other game. Strength and accuracy of stroke alone will not suffice; head work plays a predominant part. To sum up the play, the smartness of the pace leads to a far more extensive use of wiles and strategy in Badminton than in tennis. Played on the volley with the choice between short and long strokes, the widest variety of force is required, from the hardest smash to the lightest drop, and the greatest diversity of attitudes of any game are found, as well as a subtlety of tactics and a complexity of partnership not to be found elsewhere. This description may make the game appear too' difficult for the ordinary mortal, but this is not the case in actual ’ fact. The complexities of the game have been emphasised to illustrate its worthwhileness; the true sportsman likes a game that will try his ability to the utmost; this, Badminton of the highest standard will do. On the .other hand, it is a game which all tennis players and especially the keen and enthusiastic younger ones can easily pick up and, if willing to receive a little coaching from experienced players, they can easily acquire a J'air degree of proficiency. As in all games, experience and much solid practice is required to rise to the top ot the tree.

Not least among the. reasons for the growing popularity of Badminton arc the vagaries of the. weather. Winter tennis is excellent—if it is tine and there is no wind —so are football, hockey and golf, but of the winter games only Badminton is independent of meteorological conditions, since it is played indoors and as often as not by artificial light. Not only is Badminton a sport in itself, lint it goes hand in band with other 'sports. The gymnastic instructor, of one of our largest technical schools in New Zealand writes: “Everybody should realise the value of Badminton as a form of training for boxing, football and running; in fact, almost every sport cun be improved by including Badminton in the preparation, for it calls, for such complete co-ordination of brain and muscle.” He adds: “Having taken an active part in almost every form of sport (miniature golf being one exception) >T have come to this conclusion that half an hour’s solid Badminton gives a quicker and better perspiration other game. 1 have, played.'* Douglas Fairbanks, well known to all of you, would give the same testimony, for. a game o! Badminton is a regular lent lire of bis training. It is generally admitted by those phiyirig both gamer; that a bard single at Badminton requires more staying power than an equally hill'd single at tennis. A brief history of the game may be of interest. It became established in England as far back as 1H74, i.e., two years hefqre lawn tennis came into being and was included in the programme of ilit* All England Croquet Chili, which became two years later again the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club on whose ground at Wimbledon the All England Championships have been played annually siilce that. date. Some of von will recollect that the first

popular spoils magazine was knov.n as "The Badminton Magazine,” though it covered all branches of sport. I*or some time as other branches of sport gieu in favour, less was beard of Badminton, but more recently it lias come into its own again. In the United Kingdom (here are some 1500 clubs with a membership conservatively estimated at 55.000. It is popular among tenuis placers and a few years ago the list ot All England Badminton title holders included the names of several of those bettor known to the public as front rank tennis players, though ol recent years it. lias been more the fashion for i lie leading tennis players t<> migrate fur the winter months to the warmer climes of Non thorn Franco, and there continue their tennis.

Canada, perhaps, lias taken the game up in the most remarkable way. During the last five years over £ 1,000,000 has been spent in building special Badminton balls. Every town from east to west has its club, and the bigger cities have launched out and built halls holding live or six courts. Halls are always a problem and tDo game requires a. imll at least, 20ft. high and dear of rafters. The difficulty of procuring balls lias retarded the progress of the game in New Zealand, also the high rental demanded has proved an obstacle. If owners of halls in New Zealand awoke to the fact that the game, has come to stay, and that in Badminton clubs they had regular tenants for the jvinter months, they might be more ready to meet the clubs in the matter of rent. Di Tasmania the game has progressed by leaps and bounds partly because climatic conditions make it an ideal winter sport, partly because of the great number of suitable hulls available at a reasonable rent.

Badminton is now played in every State in Australia; so keen are the players and so rapid has been the pro gross of the game that an invitation to an English team to tour the Commonwealth is under consideration.

To revert to Canada. . Canada, of course, likes to do things on a large scale. ’ The Winter Club at Quebec is probably one of the world’s marvels. This building, which was specially designed for Badminton, lias six courts and most luxurious dressing rooms. All the buildings are heated, but the actual courts are. kept at fiOdeg. Faht., and in the ordinary way the spectators sit in the warm and watch the game through enormous plqte glass windows. In addition to the Badminton courts there are a beautiful swimming pool, golf practice rooms (for driving and putting), cricket pitches, bridge rooms, squash courts, a large dining room and a very fine floor where dances are held, together with spacious and comfortable lounges. To come right home. The New Zealand Badminton Association was founded five years ago, is affiliated to the Badminton Association —the parent body —and has the honour of having His Excellency the Governor-General as Patron. The game is strongest in the Auckland province, where some twentytwo clubs have been formed. The >Seddon Memorial Technical School lias also adopted the game as part of the regular physical training. The grip of the game in Auckland is largely due to the efforts in 11)27 of Mr anil Mrs Dart, two English players who, having done much to establish the game throughout Canada, came on to give a fillip to the game in New Zealand. They have now passed oil to Australia, where they are doing yeoman service. This'year the North Island championships will he held in Auckland. The game is also established as far smith as Dunedin, where the South Island championships will be held this year during the last week of August. The New Zealand championship tournament will be held in Wellington in the Masonic Hall, The Terrace, on 10th, 1 lltli and 12th September, when play of a high standard should be seen. The Association has no axe to grind, but in the interests of all lovers of good sport and exercise, - would like to see more people playing Badminton during the winter months. Enquiries about the game will be welcomed by the secretary of the New Zealand Badminton Association at the Collegiate. School, Wanganui.