These girls can serve and smash

AS part of This Girl Can Week, Ballarat Badminton hosted a women’s come-and-try morning last Tuesday.

Prospective players visited Ken Kay Stadium to receive tips, and have a hit of doubles with coach, Rhonda Cator.

Manni Wang, Nicole Ng, and Helen Brown had fun reacquainting themselves with the game, which they’d all played earlier in life.

“I saw this advertised on the City of Ballarat website and hadn’t played badminton for 54 years, so I thought I’d come and give it a go,” Ms Brown said.

“I’m going to try some other activities as well, like pickleball, and maybe Zumba at the Eastwood Leisure Centre.

“Rhonda, our coach, was excellent and very patient.”

Friends, Ms Wang and Ms Ng, attended the session together.

“I was playing badminton twice a week in China, but I moved to Ballarat two-and-a-half years ago,” Ms Wang said.

“I wanted to play but didn’t know it was a popular game here, or that the Stadium was here, so I was so excited when Nicole sent me the link. I’ve learnt how to play doubles.

“I’ve been taking care of my kids and haven’t had a chance to play, so I think this program is really good.”

Ms Ng, originally from Malaysia, used to play badminton weekly with friends.

“I didn’t play for five or six years, but today I can feel the sweat on my face, and it feels great,” she laughed.

“This Girl Can is a good transition back to sport. If I didn’t see this was on, I probably wouldn’t have tried to play badminton again.

“I would consider joining the Tuesday ladies’ night.”

Ms Cator said it was great to see new faces on-court.

“Potentially, they might bring friends or their husbands up to play, so that’s fantastic,” she said.

“Activities like these are an opportunity for parents usually home with the kids to get out of the house and active.”

This Girl Can Week began on Monday, 22 March and runs until Sunday, 28 March. The activities are supported by the City of Ballarat and its Active Women and Girls program.