Badminton club forced to move to Tiptree recruiting members

The Old Maldonians Badminton were based at Blackwater Leisure Centre until Maldon District Council secured a 20-year contract to Places Leisure to upgrade the facility.

This meant sports including football and wheelchair basketball were forced to relocate this summer.

Richard Pipe, 37, from Little Totham said: “We were quite proactive to ensure we had a facility quickly.

“It was smooth transition due to ourselves”.

Mr Pipe said the group was offered another “substandard” facility in the area which they declined before being offered the use of Tiptree Leisure World where they were welcomed with open arms.

The group has 35 adult members with a few being lost due to the move but most of the players based in Maldon, Heybrdige, Nayland, and even Chelmsford have remained.

A junior’s club is still based in Maldon, but this is under review.

The club are recruiting new members, with Mr Pipe saying the club is especially keen to expand the number of female members within its ranks, currently at eight in the adult group.

He added: “We have a ladies team and mixed teams.

“We are a very social club, we have regular social activities throughout the year as well as a Christmas party.

“We are at an intermediate to advanced standard but have a network, so for beginners we can signpost people. This is a competitive club.”

The club meets every Friday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and their competitive season runs from September to May.

In the summer season, the group plays more fun club nights.

Mr Pipe, who has been playing badminton for most of his life, said it was a sport which can be quite physical, but it can be done at your own leisure or be done more strenuously.

He also thanked Tiptree Parish Council for their £375 grant for new equipment which went mostly to shuttlecocks.

For more information visit www.maldonbadminton.co.uk.