For many Australians, badminton is a sport that finds its way into their consciousness every couple years at an Olympics or Commonwealth Games. Viewers are typically captivated by the extraordinary strength, speed, agility, athleticism and supreme fitness of the sport’s leading exponents. With the shuttlecock smash speed recorded at 493km/h as a Guinness World Record, badminton claims to be the world’s fastest sport.

Some people may have played a bit at school, and in the backyard when they were kids. What they might be unaware is that a badminton player can cover more than 5km in a game, with an hour's play likely to burn over 500 calories. As badminton can be played in pairs, it is an excellent way to develop communication skills and learn to work effectively with other people.

Here is the news: a thriving club scene exists across the length and breadth of Australia – with membership well and truly open to anyone! Weather is no issue, they can play night or day, it’s a whole lot of fun for all ages and all abilities, it requires no particularly specialised equipment, and it’s safe. Clubs also offer a variety of social events beyond just taking part in the sport.

There are more than 250 badminton clubs in Australia, with over 12,000 players who regularly enjoy this thrilling game. For those who rise to the elite level, there is far more to it than those quadrennial tournaments. At senior level, there are also regular state and national championship tournaments which lead on to Oceania and World Championships, while elite juniors get to play regular age-group state and national championships, Oceania Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, Youth Commonwealth and Olympic Games and World Junior Championships.

The game was first played in Australia in 1900, with the Australian Badminton Association formed in 1935. Anna Lao and Rhonda Cator were Australia’s first Olympic badminton representatives, in Barcelona 1992. Lao made it through to the quarter-finals in the women’s singles and, with Cator, finished in the same position in the women’s doubles. Australia has been represented at each Games since then; in London, our women’s doubles pairing of Renuga Veeran and Leanne Choo also made the quarter-finals as well. Not bad!

Who will be Australia’s first badminton medallist? Maybe you?

To find a club near you, go to: www.badminton.org.au