The Oxford University Badminton Club (OUBaC) provides multiple avenues for students to engage with badminton during the academic year, catering to both recreational and competitive players. The club's structure includes college-level play, organized recreational sessions known as Clubnight, and a competitive Squad that represents the university in matches against local teams, other universities, and the annual Varsity match against Cambridge. Welcome messages from the club emphasize inclusivity and opportunities for all skill levels, with specific details varying by academic year. For the 2019/2020 season, the club extended a warm welcome to new and returning students, highlighting the availability of college badminton, Clubnight, and Squad participation. Similarly, the 2018/2019 season announcement reiterated these opportunities, noting that most colleges offer recreational badminton within the college environment, with additional chances for inter-college competitive games. The 2020/2021 season message acknowledged the unique circumstances of that year but expressed a commitment to resuming activities safely, aiming to provide involvement through the competitive Squad, Development Squad, recreational Clubnight, and college-based play.
Recreational Opportunities
Recreational badminton is accessible through college-based activities and OUBaC's Clubnight sessions. Most colleges provide recreational badminton within the college, allowing students to play informally. Opportunities for more competitive inter-college games are also available for those interested. To obtain details about badminton activities within a specific college, students are advised to email their college captain or consult a committee member. A list of college captains is referenced as available for reference.
OUBaC organizes its own recreational badminton sessions called Clubnight, designed for anyone in Oxford to participate in fun, light-hearted badminton. These sessions are described as providing a good game in a relaxed atmosphere. To learn about current session times, interested individuals should check the sessions list, visit the Freshers' Fair, or attend free sessions during the first week of term. For example, in the 2018/2019 season, a Clubnight session was scheduled for Sunday of 3rd Week (October 21) from 13:30 to 15:30 at Iffley Road Sports Centre.
In addition to regular sessions, OUBaC hosts an end-of-year tournament as a recreational event. This tournament takes the form of a fun, team-based competition, ideal for getting to know fellow badminton enthusiasts in a relaxed setting. The tournament is open to all university students and staff. Entry requires filling out a Google Form. Guests are welcome to sign up, though in cases of oversubscription, priority is given to OUBaC members. Teams are drawn on the day to ensure a fair chance of winning for all participants. Queries or signup difficulties can be directed to Tom Hadfield at [email protected]. Specific dates for these tournaments include the 2018 event on Saturday, May 26, from 15:30 to 17:30 (5th week), and references to similar events in other years.
Competitive Squad and Trials
For players seeking competitive badminton, the OUBaC Squad offers the chance to represent the university in matches against local teams, other universities, and the Varsity match against Cambridge. This opportunity is intended for some of the best players in the university. Information on joining the Squad is provided through details on trials.
Trials for the Squad are typically held at the end of 0th week and the start of the first week of term, or on the weekend between 0th week and 1st week. The exact timing and location vary by year. For the 2019/2020 season, trials were scheduled as follows: - Men: 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday, October 13, at St Gregory the Great Catholic School (Facebook event). - Women: 7:00-9:00pm on Monday, October 12, at St Gregory the Great Catholic School (Facebook event).
For the 2018/2019 season, trials occurred on the weekend between 0th week and 1st week: - Men: 10:00-13:00 on Saturday, October 12, at Magdalen College School (Facebook event). - Women: 12:30-14:30 on Sunday, October 13, at Iffley Road Sports Centre (Facebook event).
In another 2018 reference (dated April 30, likely for the 2017/2018 or 2018/2019 season transition), trials were held at Iffley Road Sports Centre: - Men: 11:30-13:30 on Saturday, October 6. - Women: 13:30-15:30 on Sunday, October 7.
Participants are instructed to bring their own racket if available, but rackets will be provided for those without one. It is emphasized to arrive before the session begins due to limited time.
Development Squad and Additional Involvement
The club also mentions a Development Squad as part of its involvement opportunities, particularly in the 2020/2021 season announcement. This indicates an additional pathway for players to improve and participate competitively, though specific details on the Development Squad are not elaborated in the provided sources.
General Club Information and Contact
OUBaC serves as the central organizing body for badminton at Oxford University, fostering a community that includes social events outside of play, such as nights out and mini-golf. The club encourages engagement through multiple channels: email communication with captains or committee members for college-specific details, checking the sessions list for Clubnight times, attending the Freshers' Fair, and participating in free introductory sessions. For competitive Squad information, the primary method is monitoring trial announcements via Facebook events or direct contact through the provided email for tournament queries.
The welcoming tone across seasons underscores the club's commitment to making badminton accessible, whether for casual play or high-level competition. Students are advised to stay updated via official club communications, as trial dates and locations are subject to annual adjustments based on university schedules and facilities availability.
Conclusion
The Oxford University Badminton Club offers a comprehensive range of participation options, from recreational college play and Clubnight sessions to competitive Squad trials and end-of-year tournaments. These opportunities are designed to accommodate diverse skill levels and interests, with clear pathways for involvement through college captains, committee members, and official trial events. By providing both casual and competitive avenues, OUBaC ensures that badminton remains an integral part of student life at Oxford, fostering community and athletic development.