This spring sports season, an all new team will be added to the list of Piedmont athletic programs.  It’s badminton.  The formalized team of approximately 24 students will be competing this spring in the WACC, and is in the current process of practicing and finalizing rosters and coaching staff.

“It feels great to finally get it together,” junior Allyson Chan said, who is helping to coordinate practices, “The entire team is ready and cannot wait!”

So far, the team is looking towards over 24 prospective students who hope to play badminton this spring, due to the sport’s attraction as a good extracurricular.

“[Badminton] is really fun and playing against friends can be very intense,” freshman player Tina Lee said, “It’s also good for getting exercise.”

Both high school and middle school badminton programs hold practices every Friday afternoon, with an open gym policy for the team.  Chan hopes practice in the gym can translate into formal meets in league competition.

“Mainly, we are learning techniques, honing up techniques, honing in on skill and footwork, building up strength and stamina, and probably doing some practice matches on the side,” Chan said, “It probably sounds like a lot on paper, but as any sports player knows, if they love their sport, it will all be worth it. Especially since we’re going to have so much fun.”

The league, West Alameda County Conference, consists of more than a dozen other badminton teams from various schools, all of which have been in the league for two or more years.  Athletic director Jeff Peters reflected on the inexperience of the new team and what challenges it could bring.

“With any first year team, it will be a work in progress as it takes time to build success,” Peters said, “This is a pilot year with the hope we get approval for a team for many years to come.”

Although the team will be new to the league and its experienced schools, junior Jules Korman believes it is not just about doing well and putting up the wins.

“I know there are other players out there who are better than us but it’s all about the fun and team camaraderie that counts the most.” Korman said, who is considering participating in badminton.

Whether it’s for the competitive edge or collaborative spirit, most participants like Korman say they were interested in the team because of the general recreative spirit.

“Badminton is just a fun sport,” Korman said, “It’s quick and very competitive among people.”

Badminton, like tennis, uses rackets and is a simpler variation of the sport.  Teaching it to freshman P.E. students, Peters enjoys the simplicity of the sport and hopes the joy that comes out of playing will carry over to the team and league.

“We hope that many students will participate and enjoy the great sport of badminton,” Peters said, “It’s a very underrated sport and a lot of fun to play.”

Besides having fun and enjoying the sport, participants also aim to develop their individual badminton skills further to get better as a player and athlete.

“My goals for badminton are probably to just get better at playing and to hit some extreme smashes.” Lee said.

Despite the hard work and patience many put in with the development of the program, the team’s fruition means a lot to those who have been working to get it formed for the past few years.

“It was perfect timing,” Chan said, “Most people I knew wanted a school badminton team, but we just didn’t know where to find a coach. And amazingly, this year, we had two coaches, Coach David and Coach Rika, show up who were more than willing to help us with this problem.”

Alongside coaching with the two assistant coaches will be a head coach to be named.  Chan says both coaches and players are excited for the season to start, and to finally get into action.

Peters agrees, “We’re mainly looking forward to the action and watching the team grow,” he said.