Badminton

At the Interest Chairladies Meeting it was clear to our group that it was time to promote one of ZIWA's more enigmatic interest groups - Badminton. So being creative writers immediately we went on to Google for inspiration. A good joke is always a great way to capture a reader's interest. However, all the jokes were not suitable to print so to ease the reader in, the article has been broken down into easy steps:

Step 1
Requirements: Sheer determination
Every Monday morning a group of ladies get out of bed, throw on a comfy tracksuit (maybe the one they even slept in - we are very resourceful), get in their cars/trams and head to Dubendorf for a 9:30 start.

Step 2
Requirements: A good story to impart to others behind the net
On arrival we head off to our courts and spend 2 minutes warming up our vocal courts.
Here comes the only printable joke we could find: "Why are badminton players so loud? Because they are always making a racquet."

Step 3
Requirements: A competitive streak
Let the game begin. We are a mixed bag of players (from novice to the experienced - and this is not just in age) and together we always manage to play a good game. However, this is not for the faint hearted. The shuttlecock can fly at an incredible speed and often lands in rather unusual places so you will often hear our mantra "sorry", oops "sorry" - normally muffling our laughter at the same time.
Which nicely leads to ...

Step 4
Requirements: A sense of humour
Critical when you find yourself embarrassed about the serve that ended up in another court, the drop shot that never happened, the big jump to reach the shuttlecock - only to find that it belonged to your neighbour's court.

Step 5
Requirements: A partiality to refreshments
After an exhausting hour long session it is time to rest our bodies and put our conversational skills to work over a coffee. In productive sessions we also organise social events which inevitably involve eating and drinking.

So come and join us - we can always lend you a racquet - and we promise you, you will have fun whilst getting fit.

Georgina Malone, 30 January 2011