Just turning up at a club

**andywizs** · 09-13-2011, 04:23 AM

Hi,

Just a quick question - perhaps a strange one - that I would appreciate your feedback on

After quite a long time out of the game I am looking for a club in my local area. I have contacted a handful that interested me (and obviously was very polite) but I have not received a reply from ANY of them, much to my surprise.

Is it acceptable to just turn up at a club night? I think I did this when I was a kid but in adult clubs I was unsure if the common practice was to contact the club beforehand to give them prior warning, or to see if they have space/places available and so on.

Thanks for any of your advice. I'm tempted to just show up and introduce myself at my old club (where I played as a junior), but I suspect after 11 years nobody will remember me!

**alexh** · 09-13-2011, 08:07 AM

I don't see a problem with just turning up. What's the worst thing that could happen?

**Fidget** · 09-13-2011, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by alexh

I don't see a problem with just turning up. What's the worst thing that could happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E

**andywizs** · 09-13-2011, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by alexh

I don't see a problem with just turning up. What's the worst thing that could happen?

Yeah you're right. I guess I just feel out of touch after having such a long break. I think I'll turn up at my old club!

**Fidget** · 09-13-2011, 08:24 AM

Maybe the people running these clubs have busy lives, like us all. Especially if it's return to school time like it is here. Hopefully they aren't rude...just a little slow with the email replies.
I agree with alexh.... show up and see what happens. Badminton folk are (mostly) nice folk.

**andywizs** · 09-13-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Fidget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E

Funny stuff, love it!

***kwun*** · 09-13-2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Fidget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E

practice your mixed doubles.... the front player...

**CanucksDynasty** · 09-13-2011, 12:53 PM

Make sure you bring a tube of feathers/plastics. Don't look like a scrub. First impression is everything.

**mb111** · 10-07-2011, 01:01 PM

Agree with CanucksDynasty and alexh

When you show up at the club, you can find out several things:
- the level of play they are in, i.e. intermediate, advance, beginner, combination and etc
- if there are any vacancy left for new guest to sign up as a member or drop in, max number of members
- fees, regulations, coaching lessons
- the condition of the venue, courts, gym
- you can talk to existing members on what they thought about the club

**chris-ccc** · 10-07-2011, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Fidget

Maybe the people running these clubs have busy lives, like us all. Especially if it's return to school time like it is here. Hopefully they aren't rude...just a little slow with the email replies.

I agree with alexh.... show up and see what happens. Badminton folk are (mostly) nice folk.

.
I would like to add; Even when showing up, it's better to inform them.

For there are Badminton organisers/players who dislike others poking their faces to watch them play.

When talking about Badminton groups/clubs having threads at BadmintonCentral, we often read: "If interested to join us play, please PM or email us".

It can be read that not ALL BCers can participate in their groups/clubs.

I posted this before;

Originally Posted by chris-ccc

We need to be careful when giving info at BadmintonCentral.

There are tens to hundreds of private Badminton groups in Melbourne...... Their players communicate via phone, sms, email, etc...

We can even see some groups that post some little info at BadmintonCentral, but would tell BCers to reply via phone and email, and not via BC.

In a way, these private groups are selective about who are welcomed to play with them.

.

**Sketchy** · 10-07-2011, 10:38 PM

I'd probably contact the venue where they play, so you can check the club is still active, and get up-to-date contact details for the organisers. If they still don't get back to you, then just show up on a club night and see what happens...

***Cheung*** · 10-09-2011, 12:01 AM

I agree with that. I'd turn up but probably not have a high expectation of a game. The game would probably come on a second visit.

You can always say 1) you tried making contact but no reply and 2) needed to see what the standard was like (i.e. if they were stupidly good then it wastes everybody's time)

Of course if you got better and then can hold your own at a latter time, then you can go back.

Always polite to bring shuttles or make an active effort to pay one's share.