Places to get coaching?

[Seot]

I've started playing badminton a more seriously this past year. Previously i played casually with friends once every few months. Suffice it to say, i'm over the hill in terms of chances to do competition play but I do want to improve my basic game. :)

I'm at the point where just playing more games, won't help me improve very fast. I see that proper coaching and practice is the only way i'm going to get better at this point. Fix backhand, learn proper footwork and forms etc. I can't just practice at where I usually play because, it's just so busy , and it's very unlikely to get a court all to yourself.

All the coaching and training opportunities i've seen seems are geared towards kids, young teens or competition level players. I havn't seen anything around targeted towards adults looking to just improve their game.

Does anyone know of any clubs or organizations in vancouver that could offer coaching at reasonable prices. Anyone have any suggestions on what i could do?

[Winex West Can]

Seot,
First thing first, you are never too old to play competitive badminton. There are various tourneys around geared towards the "Masters" and grouped by age (usually 35+, 40, 45+, etc...) One of my friend plays competitively in the 45+ category and his dad (from Taiwan) played in the 70+ category. :D

For coaching, there are several venues ranging from the expensive to the cheap ones.

For example, you can always get coaching from clubs like Hollyburn, Vancouver Lawn & Tennis or the Vancouver Racquet Club. Am sure that you needed to be a member of those clubs before you can even sign up for coaching.

Other alternatives (that I have seen) are coaching offered by either the local community centres or the local school board. E.g. Dunbar community has a couple of coaching sessions available for the adults (the coach listed is Daryl Yung) and the VSB has two sessions offered (one for beginners and the other for the intermediate players). Other community centres has similar programs like Richmond, Burnaby, etc.

[badrad]

the vrc will accept non-members for coaching, but the per hour charge is slightly higher than for members (i'm not totally sure, but $35 vs 30).

not knowing what level seot is currently at, the vrc may be a good initial step. they will provide an assessment of your level and can work with you for a program to get you on your way to improvement.

with most community centers, there are some adult programs but usually in a group lesson method. the groups will usually be a mix of beginners to intermediates. and the attention by the coach will be spread over the number of students. it sounds like Seot has some specific areas that needs to be addressed, so a one-on-one coach session would be the best first step.

alternatively, some badminton clubs are higher calibre, and most players will improve their game just by playing at better clubs. WWC's club is very good, and has number of very strong players, most willing to offer suggestions or tips. the only drawback to this method is usually you get beaten up a bit before you get better...

[Cheung]

If you do get private coaching, it's probably better to think about major weaknesses in your game. Then you can go to the coach and have more directed coaching.

[x-er]

i'm also very into badminton.. but however not god at all.. stilal beginner players

one thing is that i', trying to find a coach htat's willing to teach me.. i'm from toronto. wondering where i can be coach other then lee's badminton cuz it really to far to me..
i live in downtown toronto. wondering if there is a opportuniy for me to be coach in htat same area. and yea.. i don' thave much money.. so i don't think i can afford george brown either

[Seot]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I was thinking of joining VRC, although i really enjoy playing with many of my current friends, and i would like to convice some of them to join the club w/ me. All the other country clubs with coaching are much more expensive than VRC and are a bit too much of an investment currently. :)

I'll look in to some of the local community programs though. Has anyone here attended any and can provide some feedback.

[Winex West Can]

Seot,
Another alternative is to find a private coach outside of the clubs. I was asked to attend a session yesterday as an acquintance of a friend has booked some time at one of the local community centre. Turned out the acquintance was looking for some coaching and this friend of mine was helping her with some of her strokes.

But while I was there, I ran into a friend who played at my club and he was there doing coaching (about 4 students - 2 per 45 min session) and he told me that he has been doing for years (both weekends) and actually have people waiting to sign up with him.

I am currently doing some volunteer coaching for my club with junior players but I know of of the other coaches and can enquire for you (if you are interested).

BTW, Badrad, don't you do private coaching?

[ASDFASDF]

George Brown doesn't coach.. just real competitive play there and people tend to like playing against their on level.. (or better) .... they play feather which u have to supply..

I think Kim Ng used to run sunday clinics not sure anymore though.. didn't cost much.. i think it was like $15 ? I been there though.


Um... Lee's is actually not SUPER expensive compared to other places in downtown..

Lee's is like 500 for jr membership and pvt coaching is like 30-40 bucks/hour .. unless u do group but groups not that great imo.

Hrmm.. B&R is downtown but not sure how much they charge.. something like 1000 for membership.. Not sure how much for coaching but prolly around 30-40...

Ummmm...

Etobicoke Jr club and Erindale Jr arn't too expensive.. Etobicoke one is really cheap..... downside is too many people go there.. Want more info pvt me.

[Seot]

WWC, i am interested, more so in some place where i can book a court without having to worry to get off in 15 mintues so other's can play. :)

[badrad]

Originally posted by Winex West Can

BTW, Badrad, don't you do private coaching?

Not since it is so hard to acquire gym space at public community centers. Some places you need to book ahead of time, and others you need to time share the court space.

Seot - if you are intending to join the vrc, that would be a good start. Part of your initiation fee includes a 1 hour lesson/assessment. Part of the problem with getting to a next level is just court time where you can practice instead of playing games. The vrc is a good place for that.

For booking courts, you can call ahead to most Richmond community centers. Each center has some time allotment for court bookings usually in 45 minute increments. Cost is around $8-9 depending on the location.

I think Kensington on 33rd and Knight also have booking times on Sundays as well.

The problem with booking is that you sometimes need to book a week ahead since some centers are very popular.

At the vrc, anytime other than organized playing you are allowed to simply practice. You can stay on as long as you want, provided there are no waiting, in which case you are alloted 15 minutes, but these go by very quickly so waits on most days aren't that long. If you are a night owl, midnight practice is also an option. We used to do that a lot.

[Winex West Can]

Seot,
Here's the info for the Richmond Comm. Centres. Please note that private lessons are not encourage :)

Cambie Community Centre - $9/45 min (604) 233-8399
Thurs - 7:00 am - 9:15 am
Sat - 4:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Sun - 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

City Centre - $8/45 min (604) 233-8910
Wed - 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sa - 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sun - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Hamilton Community Centre - $8/60 min (604) 718-8055
Mon/Thur - 7:15 pm - 10:15 pm
Sun - 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

South Arm Comm. Centre - $8/45 min (604) 718-8060
Mon - 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Tue - 12:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Sat - 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sun - 3:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Steveston Comm. Centre - $8/45 min (604) 718-8080
Sat - 4:45 pm - 7:45 pm
Sun - 12:00 pm - 3:45 pm

Thompson Comm. Centre - $9/45 min (604) 718-8422
Tue - 1:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Wed - 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm
Fri - 2:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Sat - 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sun - 5:00 pm - 8:45 pm

West Richmond Comm. Centre - $8/45 min (604) 718-8400
Fri - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sun - 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

[Seot]

Thanks very much for the info WWC. I'll look in to these.

[badrad]

WWC and others have listed locations and times for various cities/regions for play and coaching. Maybe this could be a FAQ. we can list the cities, and put the known or available published play times there as a repository?

[kwun]

badrad, hm... i thought that's what this forum is for. :) i usually just browse through or search through this forum.

[badrad]

Originally posted by kwun
badrad, hm... i thought that's what this forum is for. :) i usually just browse through or search through this forum.

Aww - kwun, you should know that some of us older folks have difficulty with searching and browsing too much. That arthritis and crickity bones makes for searching too hard sonny... :D

[Joanne]

lol, it's true though, I've never seen any training places for adults, only kids and teens.

[cappy75]

Hey guys,

I am about to move to Burnaby in two months' time, and I am hoping that you could recommend a few good clubs I could go to that's in and near Burnaby or at least accessable by train/bus. I won't have a car for at least the first few months, thus the question. Thanks in advance!

[15Love]

There is Bonsor Community Centre in Burnaby, as well as at BCIT. Whereabouts in Burnaby will you be?

[wood_22_chuck]

South Burnaby:
Bonsor Community Centre http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments_parks/prksrc_prgrml.html
(download the Leisure Guide for hours/fee)

North-ish:
Cameron Community Centre
http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/departments_parks/prksrc_prgrml.html
(download the Leisure Guide for hours/fee)

BCIT
http://www.recreation.bcit.ca/programs/dropin.shtml

Deer Lake (semi-private, but accomodating)
Tue-Thur: 8-10pm

Close to Burnaby:
Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Killarney Community Centre

-dave

[badrad]

Careful about Deer Lake. It is a private club. Drop-in is only by invitation and introduction, but even so may not be allowed if the night is full.

[cappy75]

Originally posted by 15Love
There is Bonsor Community Centre in Burnaby, as well as at BCIT. Whereabouts in Burnaby will you be?

Hmm... without being too specific the new place is somewhere along 55th and Clinton St. Burnaby South.

Something about myself: my skill level is somewhere in top "C" to low "B"... played with plastics mainly but wouldn't be too picky about feathers. Fairly competitive/intense in doubles, I am a regular club player (usually play 5 days out of the week) although I am in no condition to play decent singles games. VRC and Clearone is probably off-limit for now as I can't afford the high annual membership they require.

Thank you for responding, guys! Among the places you mentioned, which ones have high number of fairly competitive players? Also, are those places just drop-ins or are they also affliated with a club. I am really keen on joining an affliated badminton club, just not too interested about community leagues.

I am not familiar with the system in BC, but there's a three tier system in Alberta. At the top are the private clubs, followed by Edmonton District Badminton Association and then at the low rung of the ladder are the community leagues. How are the clubs organised in BC? Thanks again!:)

[wood_22_chuck]

Originally posted by cappy75

Thank you for responding, guys! Among the places you mentioned, which ones have high number of fairly competitive players? Also, are those places just drop-ins or are they also affliated with a club.

They're all drop-ins. For "high number of fairly competitive players" come to Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Sundays 12pm - 2:30pm.

I hesitate to mention Deer Lake, as Badrad has mentioned, it's "private" but the atmosphere at these places is competitive.

-dave

[wood_22_chuck]

Oh, and ClearOne is drop-in as well.

-dave

[cappy75]

Hey Dave,

Thank you for the information! It's much appreciated! Collingwood Neighbourhood House seems pretty interesting to me. BTW, what badminton club (BadmintonBC affiliated) plays there?

[wood_22_chuck]

Collingwood
Most players there don't really belong to a club, as far as I know. Although I'm sure a number of them are with Richmond Badminton Club, but that's just a guess.

Several are ex-VRC members, and a lot of Brunei-ans there play privately at a church in Coquitlam, but enjoy the drop-ins at Collingwood.

All pretty friendly. If you're here by Nov 15/16, there's a tournament that's going on there.

-dave

[cappy75]

Hey Dave,

I would really like to avoid drop-ins because the cost adds up pretty fast. Then again, I may not be able to avoid it since it's almost halfway thru the playing season... they might not take in new members:(. It'll be great if I could join up with an affliated badminton club for the long haul. Anyway, I will check out BadmintonBC's website for more information about clubs operating around Burnaby.

Thanks again for helping me out. Maybe we'll bump into one another in one of those places in the near future:p

[wood_22_chuck]

No prob! :)