There has been quite an upsurge in the interest levels for playing Badminton at local level. Many councils offer court availability now and there are several health clubs that offer very good facilities; eneough to make it worth while forming the friendship and bonding that minor tournaments offer. It is a more gentle sport than tennis but it still requires high level of energy and fitness even at the beginning, to make the most of the oposition available!
Badminton is thought to have started some 2000 years ago in Greece and spread across Europe, Asia and then the rest of the world. It requires a court with a net across the middle, much higher than a tennis net. The game is played between either two players or four. Each player requires a racquet and they use a shuttlecock – this is a feather light implement that can be carried away by the wind. All singles and doubles matches are the best of three games. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. A point is scored on every serve and will be awarded to whoever wins a rally. The winning side then takes the next serve. The rules are very much simpler than those used in tennis and it does make for a simpler and fast moving sport.