Forming a team

[Virocon]

Right now the president of my badminton club and I are trying to revive what used to be a team (more than a decade ago) at UCLA. I was wondering if any of you out there have any input on how to go about doing so in a productive manner.

Here are the criteria I think you can help us in:
a) FUNDRAISING (we have almost no funding from our school)
b) APPROACH to forming a team (i.e. how to make sure everyone attends practices esp. with hectic college schedules in the way; what to do during practices, etc.)
c) RECOGNIZABILITY on campus in order to
(i) recruit a larger group and thus, allow for a wider variety of players to choose from for the team
(ii) show our school that the sport is well-received by the campus community and so should deserve more funding
d) is a COACH necessary or might a captain (president) of the team be adequate at first (so as to save as much money as we can at the beginning)
e) ANY OTHER HELP (esp. from anyone who has a team on their college campus)?

Jason

[Cheung]

Starting a Team In University (http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8941)

[Virocon]

That link helped a bit but it no one really replied as to how to go about fixing those problems (fundraising, finding a coach, increasing retention rate, etc.). My basic questions revolve around the main one: How does one go about maintaining a cohesive team?

Note: UCLA is part of a league already (the Southern Califorrnia Collegiate Badminton League). The issue is that we don't have a team, and so no actual practice times for drills, etc. We basically meet during club hours to play and enjoy ourselves. I want more out of it and quite a few of the club members do as well.

Jason

[RedDog]

Jason, I know a couple people in the area who might be able to help you out. Have you tried to talk to the badminton team leaders from other school? I'm close with the leaders of UCSD and UC Davis? Both of the schools are doing a nice job keeping their team organized. I can introduce you to them and I'm sure they will be happy to share their experiences with you.

UCSD's badminton coach Mike Walker is also a great resource to go to as far as forming a school team. Both him and his wife are coaching their own school team down in SD. He's also the owner of San Diego Badminton Supply. I'm sure you can work out some kinda deal if you need team uniform or sponsership for your team. If you are interested, come down to San Diego with Po after your busy finals, I'll see if I can arrange a meet for you guys to get things started.

Infact, I'm hosting a pre-national pot luck party at my house on April 12th for the UCSD badminton team, you're more then welcome to drop by, meet their leaders, coach and talk to the kids in there. I'm sure you've seen eachother during school meets already, and I strongly believe team leaders from different should keep close contact with eachother, build a good relationship inorder to help eachother out in the future.

If you need more info, PM me! Good luck!

[Virocon]

Thanks for all that good information. It's good to hear from people around the area who can help.

I spoke with Mike Do the other time when UCSD came up to play against UCLA and he said that SD gets a lot of funding from the school ($4000/year was what I thought I heard) for the badminton program. Seeing as it's not as strong a sport at UCLA than it is down there, I think Po and I have to put a lot sweat into it next quarter to start off this team-forming idea. But don't get me wrong, that's the best part. Starting something up from the bottom is always a fun challenge.

I'll talk to Po and some of the other badminton players and see if we can come down to SD some time soon. I just need to concentrate on these finals first and then I'm good to do whatever badminton-related things I want.

Waiting for the end of Wednesday!
Jason

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by Virocon

c) RECOGNIZABILITY on campus

Not trying to discurage u. However, this I believe is the "Key" issue to the other stuff u listed.

The other things u listed, might being able to be solved within a short period of time, if this can be widly accpeted by ppl who does not know badminton as ppl here. Most ppl in the public, are either "narrow minded" refuse to accpet the truth, or, just "ok ok" type, which won't willing to truly support our community. However, public recognization need tons of ppl like our members to all work together, all suffer through together, fighting for yrs to gain step by step achievement.

Therefore, this might take yrs of work. I mean, if u can solve this problem, I am sure u can solve the mystery question here, about "bamdinton popularity" as well.