London Badminton Initiative (londonbadminton.org)

Testimonial to the London Badminton Initiative

I attended my first session last Thursday after someone recommended me. I've been looking for a place in which to practise for a number of months now after I've felt that certain clubs have been rather exclusive and cliquey in the way they treat new members i.e being rather unapproachable and unwelcoming.

However, I must say that after attending the first training session at the initiative based in Swiss Cottage (except on Sundays where they play in Kentish Town) I felt very welcomed. Although I do not know Reaz Vawda very well (I've only met him twice!), he comes across as a very energetic and enthusiastic individual (and also a very good player) and judging from the very comprehensive website contents (e.g. concessions for the underprivileged and disadvantaged, news and events, restringing service, FREE BADMINTON VIDEOS! etc) he and the LBI committee are very proactive in raising the profile of badminton making it acessible to all.

There are sessions throughout the week for those of different standards. I've only been on a Thursday and Monday for advanced players. I did get a good few games in. It did put me off a little when I saw that they only had Training Sessions because I mainly wanted to play rather than just train. However, that misled me a little, in a good way. For advanced players they can play a lot of games on Mondays, Thursdays and perhaps, Sundays at Kentish Town - Talacre Leisure Centre (I haven't been to that one yet). On Tuesdays, it is by invitation only for elite players and that session is reserved for players who mainly want to undertake formal training and practise.

For beginner/intermediate standard players there is training as part of a community programme on Saturdays (see above post for more details).

In my experience there aren't many places (I won't say club because it's a scheme/initiative) where the players are of an advanced standard where the players are also very friendly and unpretentious.

If you want to attend a place with less chat, a friendly atmosphere and just gets on with badminton - this is it. The LBI is a very good scheme which I would thoroughly recommend anyone of any standard to attend for just games or to undertake formal training and practice. It has my full support.

Keep up the great work Reaz, I'll shall see you Thursday!

Wai

 

Hey WaiWai,

Yes - I've met these people and done some training with them. Agree totally - the whole set up is a refreshing change from the usual.

They also organise "Bonanza"-type tournaments open to all, and the Swiss Cottage venue is reported to be excellent for Badminton. All in all, well worth supporting.

BW

Smautf

 

the website has been down since i checked last week... is the club still around?

 

yup, the club is still active.
it's a bit of a commute for you though ... isn't it?

 

Thanks reazvawda for the update!

Dreamzz, are you in London at the moment... pm you to ask you for info...

 

I recommend you this club if you want training from top coach and want to improve your badminton then I say you just have to check it out.

 

I TOTALLY recommend this club!! Reaz is an excellent coach, and very friendly and enthusiastic, and the whole "club" welcomes you, everyone who goes there is really friendly. I only go to the saturday sessions, (training for beginners and intermediates)... because i am a beginner, and its perfect, they have training for 1 and half hours, then friendly mixed double games, which is alot of fun, especially for newbies like me!! Coach Manuel, is really helpful also, he's really helped me with my technique! although still need loads of practice..but they are both excellent coaches.. and they go around looking at everyones individual technique and give you loads of hints and really help you to improve. Best badminton club there is!!!