Next season's Stevenage Badminton League indicates a lower team turnout than the 2023/24 season, despite hoped for growth, but why?  

According to Badminton England, "with millions playing every year, badminton is the nation's favourite racket sport". 

Locally our home-grown Leona Lee is playing international badminton. 

Local badminton clubs, such as CAM GEARS in Letchworth Garden City, now have a higher membership than pre-Covid – but they lack a certain profile of member, namely women. Whilst many local clubs even have waiting lists due to their popularity, they're pre-dominantly made up of men.  

Stevenage Badminton League has been affected by this disappointing ratio, because each team in the SBL MEDLEY LEAGUE format, requires two women. Each league match comprises a men's doubles, a women's doubles and four mixed doubles' rubbers. 

At the recent AGM a cross-club discussion ensued, as a number of clubs wished to again submit two teams to the league, but due to lack of female numbers and those wanting to participate in matches, simply cannot.  

Representatives of current clubs shared their ideas including increasing publicity to ignite new interest and making it easier to access information on clubs for those that actively do wish to play and are seeking a potential club.  

Solutions for both include a specific publicity drive to encourage more women into competing locally, alongside clubs more visible and accessible, particularly online.  

Finally, it was discussed how, particularly for less confident individuals, it can be a daunting step for some to start that journey, so clubs need to actively project just how friendly their respective clubs are for newcomers and indicate all are welcome, they're not just encouraging women. 

Ian Macfarlane of the Stevenage Badminton League committee indicated that it was disappointing to see a number of our local clubs possibly being unable to submit second teams for the SBL for the 2024/25 season; after the difficulties with post-COVID recovery for clubs, the cause being a lack of ladies is very disappointing. 

Rory Dear, Chairman of CAM GEARS Badminton club commented: "I'm new to the role and hadn't realised quite how prevalent this issue now is. I'm keen to do everything I can to encourage competitive women back into the local sport, whether at our club or any of the local clubs that are part of our valued league."

Local badminton clubs within the Stevenage Badminton League, as found on SBL Home (stevenagebadmintonleague.co.uk) are for any would-be new players out there.

• Cam Gears – North Herts Leisure Centre, Baldock Road, Letchworth SG6 2ER 
• Sunday 8.00pm - 10.00pm 
• Academy – Knights Templar Sports Centre, Baldock SG7 6EY 
• Wednesday 8.00pm - 10.00pm  
• Kites – Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6XE 
• Sunday 3.00pm - 5.00pm 
• Norton and Baldock – Letchworth Sports and Tennis Club, Muddy Lane, Letchworth SG6 3TB Tuesday 8.00pm - 10.00pm  
• Redhoods – Fearnhill School Sports Centre, Letchworth SG6 4BA 
• Friday 8.00pm - 10.00pm  
• Icarus – Hitchin Boys School, Grammar School Walk SG5 1JB 
• Wednesday 8.30pm - 10.00pm 
• Strings - Barnwell Leisure Centre, Stevenage SG2 9SN 
• Sunday 5.30pm - 7.30pm 
• What A Racquet - Stevenage Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ 
• Monday and Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm