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5 Gift Ideas for Teen Badminton Players

Yonex Men's Full Zip Hoodie 30049 Dark Grey

Far more than adults, brands are important to teens. And for many of our teenage badminton customers, Yonex ™ is the most important brand in the world. So it’s not hard for us to advise people with a teenage badminton player on their Christmas list. Pretty much anything with a Yonex logo on it is sure to be a hit.


Yonex Badminton Shoes

Although many different brands of court shoes are suitable for badminton, most of our teen badminton players wouldn’t be caught dead in anything other than Yonex. Racquet Network, of course, carries every Yonex model available in Canada, but none are as popular with teens as the Yonex Aerus 3.

The Aerus 3 is designed for competitive athletes and features all of Yonex’s premium shoe technologies.


Yonex Sports Towel

Branded sports towels have exploded in popularity over the past five years. This is because of television and internet coverage that shows professional players using towels to wipe their faces between points and on changeovers.

Sweat management is an important part of every athlete’s game plan. Using a Yonex sports towel to do it –like Lin Dan or Lee Chong Wei — takes it to the next level of cool.


Yonex Water Bottle

Yonex water bottles are an inexpensive way for young athletes to brand themselves.

Available in silver and blue, these bottles tend to sell out over the holidays.


Yonex Apparel

Yonex apparel is extremely popular with teen badminton players. Here is a small selection of what we have available in-store and online.


Yonex Stencil Kit

As racquets are used and strings wear out, string stencils start to fade. Stencil/ink kits give teens an opportunities to freshen up their string stencils without having to re-string their racquets.

A few of our clients even make a little cash on the side by freshening up the stencils on their friends racquets.


Gift Certificate Option

If you are not sure what the young badminton player on your list has or doesn’t have, wants or doesn’t want, you can always opt for a gift certificate. We offer them all year round in $25.00 increments.

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Where to Play Badminton in Calgary

Where to play badminton in Calgary
Where to play badminton in Calgary
The information in this article is offered as a courtesy to our customers. We cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate because these groups do not always update us when they make changes.

If you have questions about these groups and their activities, DO NOT call our store. Call or email the contact info for the groups below.

Our retail store staff will not be able to give you answers about any of these clubs or facilities. So please do not call the store.


SOUTHWEST BADMINTON GROUPS

FISH CREEK BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Phone: 403-281-7024 (Frank)
Email: suneel@telus.net (Suneel)
Location: Woodlands Elementary School – 88 Woodgreen Drive SW
Summary: Adult group. Three courts. Tuesday and Thursday evenings September through April. There are 12-20 regulars at the intermediate level. Some of these players have been playing together for 30 years. Drop-ins are welcome but beginners typically don’t come more than once or twice. Racquet Network staff play here frequently.

FALL 2018 SCHEDULE
8:00-9:30 PM
Tuesdays, Sep 11, 18, 25 — Oct 2, 9, 16, 28 — Nov 6, 13, 20, 27 — Dec 4
Thursdays, Sep 27 — Oct 4, 11, 18, 28 — Nov 1, 8, 15, 29 — Dec 6


DIE HARDS BADMINTON (GROUP)
Phone: 403-281-6940 (Phil)
Email: phil-hum@shaw.ca (Phil)
Location: Southland Leisure Centre – 2000 Southland Drive SW
Summary: Adult group. June/July/August only. Four courts. Thursday evenings June through August. There are 25-30 regulars at the intermediate level. Racquet Network staff play here frequently.

HARSIDE BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Email: hardside_badminton@shaw.ca
Location: Menno Simons Christian School – 7000 Elkton Dr SW
Summary: Adult group. Wednesday evenings. September to May. Racquet Network staff play here occasionally.


KINGSBORO BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Locations:
Henry Wisewood High School – 910 75 Ave SW
Lord Beaverbrook High School – 9119 Fairmount Dr SE
Summary: Adult group. Wednesdays and Fridays. Season runs from September 2015 to end of May. Racquet Network staff play here occasionally.


NORTHWEST BADMINTON GROUPS

BEARSPAW BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Phone: 403-239-1502
Location: Bearspaw School – 253210 Bearspaw Rd, Calgary, AB T3L 2S5
Summary: 6 courts.
Time: Monday and Wednesdays 7-10pm
Summary: Adult play. All Skill levels welcome. Players are primarily intermediate to Advanced level.
Nylon Shuttles provided but feathers are welcome.
They play during the school year, September to end of June.
Membership option or $7 drop-in fee.


BRIAR HILL / HOUNSFIELD HEIGHTS ADULT BADMINTON (GROUP)
Phone: 403-289-0921 (Lorne)
Location: HHBH Community Gym – 1922 14 Ave NW
Summary: Adult group. Morning group plays Tuesday through Friday. Three courts.


NORTHERN LIGHTS BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Phone:
Location: Beddington Heights Elementary School – 95 Bermuda Road NW
Summary: Adult group. Wednesday evenings. 6 Courts


SOUTHEAST BADMINTON GROUPS

BOT BADMINTON (GROUP)
Email: botfederball@gmail.com
Location: Prince of Wales School – 253 Parkland Way SE
Summary: Adult group. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings


FCR BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Email: fcrnsa@hotmail.com
Location: MidSun Community Center – 50 Midpark Rise SE
Summary: Adult group. No summary available.


RIVERBEND BADMINTON (GROUP)
Phone: 403-816-1661
Email: RiverbendBadminton@groups.facebook.com
Location: Riverbend Elementary School – 65 Rivervalley Dr SE
Summary: Adult group. Wednesday evenings. September through April.


LAKE BONAVISTA BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
Phone: 403-248-8530 (Pat or Kelly)
Email: pat.eberle@shaw.ca
Location: Lake Bonavista Community Center – 1401 Acadia Dr SE
Summary: Adult group. 4 Courts. Drop in welcome


NORTHEAST BADMINTON GROUPS

FRIENDS OF BADMINTON (GROUP)
Phone: 403-710-8393 (Alfred)
Location: Georges P Vanier Jr High School – 509 – 32nd Ave NE
Summary: Adult group. 4 courts. All skill levels welcome. Friday evenings.


U of C BADMINTON CLUB (GROUP)
2500 University Drive NW
Email: ucbadminton@gmail.com
Summary: Adult group. No summary available.


BADMINTON FACILITIES

VILLAGE SQUASH LEISURE CENTRE (FACILITY)
Location: 2623 56th Street NE
Phone: 403-280-9714
Summary: No summary available.


WESTSIDE REC CENTRE (FACILITY)
Location: 2000 69 St SW
Phone: 403-531-5875 ext 0
Summary: No summary available.


TALISMAN SPORTS CENTRE (FACILITY)
Location: 2225 Macleod Tr S
Phone: 403-233-8393
Summary: No summary available.


SOUTHLAND LEISURE CENTRE (FACILITY)
Location: 2000 Southland Drive SW
Summary: Friday, Saturday, Sunday drop in. Open courts. First come first serve. No coordinator present. Racquet Network staff play here occasionally. Kids programs available.


HILLHURST/SUNNYSIDE BADMINTON (FACILITY)
Phone: 403-283-0554 Ext.232
Email: frontoffice@hillhurstsunnyside.org
Location: 1320 5 Ave NW
Summary: Monday and Thursday evenings. There are 4 courts with good lighting, rubber compounded floor, showers and lockers for post beginners to advance level.


EDISON BADMINTON CENTRE (FACILITY)
Phone: 403-306-0001 (Billy or Beth)
Location: 2km North of Okotoks on highway 2A
Summary: No summary available. Lessons and programs available for kids and adults.


SUNRIDGE BADMINTON CENTRE (FACILITY)
Location: 401 33 ST NE
Phone: 403-263 9222
Email: info@sunridgebadminton.com
Summary: Private club. 16 professional IBF/WBF approved courts with a 30ft high ceilings. Lessons and programs available for kids and adults.


CLEARONE BADMINTON CENTRE (FACILITY)
Phone: 403-265-3886
Email: calgary@clearonebadminton.com
Location: 1853 – 120th Ave NE Calgary AB T3K 0S5
Phone: 403-265-3886
Email: calgary@clearonebadminton.com
Summary: Full service badminton club. 14 sprung wood courts with specialized flooring system and 32′ ceilings. Lessons and programs available for kids and adults.


SAIT BADMINTON CLUB (FACILITY)
Summary: Sunday mornings.
Phone: 403-284-8734
Email: tj.babey@sait.ca
Summary: No summary available.


SMASH CITY (FACILITY)
Phone: 403-569-0328
Location: 4839 47 St SE, Calgary, AB T2B 3S5
Summary: No summary available. Lessons and programs available for kids and adults.


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Racquet Bags

BABOLAT PURE DRIVE RACQUET BAG X9
We stock a large selection of racquet bags for tennis, squash, and badminton
We stock a large inventory of racquet bags for tennis, squash, and badminton in our southwest Calgary store.

However, racquet bags are highly seasonal. Particular styles and colours sell out quickly and it is impossible for us to have all bags in stock in all colours at all times.

We advise customers who are looking for a particular bag to order it online and then choose SHIP TO STORE. We will email you when your bag is ready to pick up. If the bag you want is unavailable, we will cancel the order and issue a refund.

All brands change their racquet bags change every year. So a bag that was available in a particular colour or style one year will not be available the following year. However, we carry new colours/styles at all three price points every season.


Random Sample of 25 Racquet Bags

Racquet Network carries a large selection of racquet bags for tennis, squash, and badminton. This is a random sample of 25 options.


Bag Selector For a full list of racquet bags in this category, please check out our ONLINE RACQUET BAG SELECTOR. You can sort by size, brand and colour.
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Badminton Shoes | Calgary Considerations

YONEX SHB 03 Z CORAL RED
When buying badminton shoes, it is important to know the surface you are playing on.

Badminton shoes have to fit properly; that’s a given. But what else do you need to know?

Believe it or not, where you play will influence your shoe selection.

Here in Calgary, for example, someone who plays at Clear One Badminton Centre you will probably want different shoes than someone who plays at Sunridge Badminton Centre. People who play at Smash City, meanwhile, may want a completely different shoe that for either of these places.

This is because the best shoe depends to a great deal on the surface you are playing on. Clearone has hardwood floors. So most players will want to choose a shoe with additional cushioning. Sunridge and Smash City have mats, but they are different brands (Victor and Black Knight) and different qualities, so the shoe you pick for each may be slightly different.

Racquet Network carries Calgary’s largest selection of badminton shoes. In fact, we have the largest selection of court shoes of all kinds. We also have experts who know the clubs in Calgary.

Come in for a fitting with our experts and leave with the perfect fit for your feet. We are open 7 days a week. Monday to Friday 11:00am to 8:00pm. Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm.


Shoe Selector For a full list of shoes in this category, please check out our ONLINE SHOE SELECTOR. You can sort by sport, gender, brand, size, width and price.

Badminton Shoes for Calgary Badminton Facilities


Shoe Selector For a full list of shoes in this category, please check out our ONLINE SHOE SELECTOR. You can sort by sport, gender, brand, size, width and price.
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Choosing Badminton Racquets for Teens

YONEX DUORA Z-STRIKE BADMINTON FRAME

It’s a common question from parents: “My 12-year-old really wants the hot new badminton racquet from Yonex ™ that is endorsed by the World #1 badminton champion. He thinks it will help him perform better. Will it really do that?”

The simple answer is no. It won’t help him play better. In fact, it may detract from his game. He will probably be better off with a racquet that costs one-third of what that racquet costs.

That is the simple answer. That is the black-and-white. Now let’s look at some of the grey areas this question touches on.

For example, when a racquet increases a player’s self confidence, that is a good thing. So if all your teen needs is a self-confidence boost, then buying an expensive, adult racquet might be a good investment.

However, unless your teen is in the top bracket nationally, he (or she) probably needs more than a simple confidence boost. If he is anything like most players his age, he probably needs a racquet designed for players his age.

Adult racquets are designed for adult players. In the case of men’s high performance badminton racquets, they are designed for players who weigh 170+ lbs and have the strength and timing of an athletic adult male.


Racquet Selector For a full list of racquets in this category, please check out our ONLINE RACQUET SELECTOR. You can sort by sport, gender, brand, size, weight, balance and more.

Take a closer look at the closing words of that last sentence: “strength and timing of an athletic adult male”. If you think about the entire population of people on the planet, you will quickly realize that most people do not fit into that category.

For example, most women — even adult women — do not have the “strength and timing of an athletic adult male”. In fact, if we are being brutally honest, even the majority of men do not have the “strength and timing of an athletic adult male”. Therefore it is not surprising that very few teens have the “strength and timing of an athletic adult male”.

Athletic adult males are stronger, fitter and faster than older men. They are stronger, fitter and faster than non-athletic men. And they are stronger, fitter and faster than women and children. And because they are stronger, fitter and faster, they need racquets that are specifically designed for them.

The rest of us need racquets that are designed for us. We are not as powerful as they are, so we need racquets that enhance our power. Our timing is not as good as theirs, so we need racquets that are more forgiving. In choosing racquets that are designed for us, we will be able to harness racquet technology in those areas where we need it the most.

Teens are no different. Very few teens have adult muscles and performance abilities. Those that do will be ready for high performance adult racquets. Those that don’t will want to experience all of the benefits that teen badminton racquets have to offer.

Yonex offers a range of racquets for players in the Teen Badminton Racquets category. They also offer a range of racquets for players in the Youth Badminton Racquets category. All come pre-strung and most cost less than $100.00.

Come in a talk to us. We will show you the proper category for the teen badminton player in your family.


Racquet Selector For a full list of racquets in this category, please check out our ONLINE RACQUET SELECTOR. You can sort by sport, gender, brand, size, weight, balance and more.