I went last week as it was March Break. At first, six courts were available. There were at least 50 people for the six courts. Actually, five courts as one court was for lessons. There were 10 Mainland Chinese people that hogged the courts. They would finish one game and switch their friends on. They kept doing this which was not fair to the other people. Eventually, someone spoke up and told them to not hog the court were not happy. I don't care as I am not a regular there. They complained but we know who is right and wrong. :) It got better after 12:30 as 7 courts were available. Only better for 20 minutes as the afternoon crowd came. :( Overcrowding again. :( I asked the regulars if this was the norm. They said the past 3-4 weeks, there have been new people to the club. Not skilled people but novices which like to hog the court. So, for people that want to go this Sunday, go some where else. I rather go Saturdays to L'am.

where is L'am?
Is it a club or a public recreational center?

I thnk it is a recreational centre in Toronto.

Anybody play in Pape? Is that a good place to play?

Except for the name and obvious location difference, I swear you are talking about the center I played at last night (Saturday). There are 8 courts, and there was probably around 60+ people. There is a sign-up board, but the same situation happened with a group of new immigrant chinese teens (around a dozen) who feigned ignorance or pretended not to understand english when they were told they were hogging the court. Not only did most of them not know how to play, they did not know how to keep score and yet they kept telling us they were still playing a game (seemed they kept saying the score was 2-3), and they were constantly switching with their friends mid-game. This phenomenom only started also about 4 weeks ago, like there was some magic day they all decided to start playing badminton.

Hey sounds like a conspiracy....

Time limits should be set in that case...with the numbers on Chinese in Canada, there must be somebody who can speak whatever dialect they know. Or better still, lay down the rules in French!

badrad, yes it is L'amoreux Community Centre on Kennedy and McNicoll. I see the group of mainland Chinese people disturb the Sautrday crowd at L'am also. I know the organizer is not happy with the people. I believe his name is Ken. I heard that if there are too many people before this group arrives, he won't let them play. Not because they are not welcomed but because of overcrowding. The group that came on Sunday were in their late 20's and early 30's. I don't mind new people coming out to play at any club. They have to respect the rules of the club. Doesn't matter if they are a beginner or an intermediate player.

Why in french they don't use french in Toronto!!so funny!
at 888 progrés avenue you can play,nice place!!MING from Paris

Actually, this problem is not unique. Several years back, early 90's, South Arm Community Centre in Richmond, B.C., had the same problems with newly arrived HK teenagers. They hogged the courts and switched friends in and out of the courts.

the organizer of each club should lay down the rule to all new players. Incidents like these discourage lot of younger or timid players and partly impede the growth of this sport.

but they don't listen. The Mainland Chinese people think if they pay $5 to play they should be able to play on that court till they are tired. Only the Mainland Chinese people don't get it. Everyone else understands the rules and obeys them. Never had a problem till the Mainland Chinese people started playing badminton and not obeying the rules at any club or community centre.

Originally posted by Chu Pa
but they don't listen. The Mainland Chinese people think if they pay $5 to play they should be able to play on that court till they are tired. Only the Mainland Chinese people don't get it. Everyone else understands the rules and obeys them. Never had a problem till the Mainland Chinese people started playing badminton and not obeying the rules at any club or community centre.

Maybe it is time that the organizer put his/her foot down and tell them that unless they comply with the rules, they will be asked to leave. Refund them their money and told them that they are no longer welcome.

This obviously apply to all players who have been flaunting the rules regardless of their ethic backgrounds.

The organizer should warn these people first and if nothing works refund the money and kick them out!

Refund was actually given back to them and they left. They came back the next week. :) Guess they can't find a better place to play. :) The organzier welcomes everyone but if they disobey the rules then refund is offered.

you guys are too nice to them. What if they keep repeating this, back and forth, they could end up playing for free :eek:

There are limits. This past Sunday they have been quite quiet and haven't complained. Only problem is why are there so many of them. :) Doesn't matter as long as they don't play at the intermeidate-advanced court then I am happy. There is a guy in his 30's that play on the inter-adv. court which everyone dislikes.

those people r giving chines folks like me a bad name I'm 17 from mainland china I attend clubs in the uk but I get on with every1. Every1 in the club gets their fair share of games no matter who they are. Oh btw if they dont seem to understand english I can tell you a few chinese phrases :D (in mandarin)

an observation made by one of the staff at the guildford rec center where we had a similar problem as L'am was that badminton was the only program that they had so much trouble having to organize, and that a staff person was required to supervise the timely use of the courts. the other programs such as volleyball, basketball and indoor soccer are all self run and not a single bit of trouble with respect to fair court time.

badminton fanatics never get enough of badminton. :confused: :( :rolleyes: ;) :p :) :D