Nothing bad about badminton at The Wanderers
ILLOVO – A local badminton group is firing on all cylinders.
Top badminton players at The Wanderers Club are going from strength to strength since the club’s elite training sessions have gained momentum.
Starting in January last year as a social event for like-minded players to improve their game, the best of the best at the club, and visitors from as far as Ireland, now meet twice per week for intense physical, tactical, technical and psychological training. The fruit of their labour has been evident.
Prakash Nath plays for South Africa at major tournaments around the world, while doubles partners Andile Zuma and Matthew Menthils have won the last three men’s doubles divisions at South African Open tournaments.
The youngest member of the group, Keaton Stansfeld (13), has been selected for South Africa’s junior squad for the All Africa U15 Continental Championships in August.
Indeed, this is not your typical group of badminton enthusiasts. Whether working on fast footwork, skipping or playing with heavy rackets to improve arm strength, the group of about 15 members give their all every practice.
“We started socially just to improve together. Our ages vary from 13 to 48,” said Dave Calvert, former national player, and coach of the elite group.
Amal Maharaj, who lives in Ireland, paid the club a visit during a holiday in hopes of learning something that could help him make his country’s junior team. “I have definitively improved my shots and the target practice has helped a lot,” he said.
Yet it is not all hard work. The group has plenty of fun during practice and share jokes and stories, said René Abrahams. “People think badminton is a small sport but there are many people who play,” she said. “I started coming here because of all the fun we have while training.”
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