With badminton tryouts approaching, excitement and anticipation are building among both players and coaches. Scheduled for the end of February, the tryouts will kick off a season that promises to be full of hard work, sportsmanship, and plenty of memorable moments on the court.
A Game for Everyone
For many years, badminton has offered more than just competition. It’s a chance to connect with friends and embrace a sport that welcomes everyone. “My motivation to join the team is to have fun with my friends and [bring] my love for playing the game because I think badminton is a game that everyone can enjoy playing,” said Umamah Quadri, freshman.
This sense of enjoyment and teamwork resonates with the coaches as well. Head Coach Patrick Swanson emphasizes that while technical skills are a bonus, the primary focus is on attitude and coachability.
“Most girls don’t come [to the team] with much experience, so they don’t really know many of the skills they need for badminton,” Swanson said. “We’re looking for good effort and a good response to feedback when we critique them.”
A Balance of Conditioning
Tryouts will include a combination of conditioning and skill evaluation, giving coaches a chance to assess players physical fitness, willingness to learn and mental toughness.
“In the past, we’ve usually taken half of the girls to condition in the hallways and then the other half will work on specific badminton skills like footwork or shots,” said Swanson. “That way we get to see their attitude while being pushed during conditioning and also their attitude while learning something new. We like to emphasize fitness, so running is a big part of it, and we try to emphasize overhead shots in terms of hitting.”
This dual focus on fitness and skills ensures that players are not only prepared for the demands of the game but also grow as athletes over the course of the season.
High Expectations for the Season
Last season was historic as five players qualified for state and the team secured a sectional title. As a result of this success, the bar has been set high.
“I would expect to send some girls to state, and hopefully we can come in the top half of the conference at each level,” said Swanson. “ I think those are goals that can be met, and I’m excited to see how we can do the year after our most successful year ever.”
With motivation and dedication driving the team forward, the upcoming badminton season promises to be an exciting one. For players like Anushka Ananthan, Umamah Quadri and many others, it’s about more than just competition; it’s about embracing a sport they love while pushing themselves to grow as athletes and teammates.
As the season approaches, the message it’s clear: bring your best attitude, work hard, and get ready to SOAR.
