Central Leicester Badminton Club is the largest badminton club within the city of Leicester, attracting a diverse range of players from all ages and skill levels. With over 40 adult members and over 80 junior members, the club offers a thriving and active community for anyone passionate about competitive league badminton.
Currently, Central Leicester Badminton Club boasts 9 teams participating in the Leicestershire league. These teams consist of 3 men's teams, 1 women's team, 3 mixed teams, and 2 NewHall teams. This varied mix of teams allows players to compete alongside individuals of similar skill levels and form strong bonds within the club.
The club takes pride in its exceptional pool of talented players, many of whom have represented Leicester at various levels. Central Leicester Badminton Club is also home to a number of qualified badminton coaches, ensuring that members receive the guidance and support needed to improve their game.
In addition to regular league matches, Central Leicester Badminton Club encourages members to participate in local, regional, national, and even international badminton competitions. This commitment to competition allows players to test themselves against a wider range of opponents and showcase their skills on a larger stage.
By becoming a member of Central Leicester Badminton Club, players are granted registration with Badminton England. This registration provides personal accident insurance coverage and offers discounts to various badminton events. Additionally, members gain access to Badminton England sanctioned tournaments, allowing them to compete in high-stakes competitions.
Central Leicester Badminton Club is always looking to expand its membership and currently has openings for female players who excel at a competitive league standard. If you fit this description, the club encourages you to get in touch and seize the opportunity to become part of their thriving badminton community.
Central Leicester Badminton Club has a rich and vibrant history, its roots originating from the amalgamation of Leicester's two oldest badminton clubs: Roundhill and St Luke's.
Roundhill Badminton Club, founded around 1964, started making its mark on the Leicestershire leagues in the mid-70s. In 1984, the club made the decision to exclusively use feather shuttles for all home matches and club nights, a bold move at the time. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment, as Roundhill experienced significant growth and success, with the men's first team achieving a Division 1 or 2 ranking throughout the 90s. The club also attracted numerous female members, resulting in multiple division titles won by mixed and women's teams.
At its peak, Roundhill had a total of 3 men's teams, 4 mixed teams, 2 women's teams, and 4 New Hall teams. As the new millennium dawned, member numbers gradually declined, leading to the realisation that amalgamation was the best way forward. The natural choice for Roundhill was St Luke's due to the close links and friendly rivalry between the two clubs. Thus, Central Leicester Badminton Club was born, merging Roundhill and St Luke's into a single, successful entity.
St Luke's Badminton Club had humble beginnings in the early 1970s, starting as a small group of enthusiasts at St Luke's Church Stocking Farm in Leicester. As the club grew, a men's team and a mixed team were entered into the local league. Operating on a single court at the time, the club's social aspect was just as important as the badminton itself, with refreshments and playing until the early hours of the next day being common occurrences. By the late 1970s, St Luke's had expanded its membership and moved to a two-court location at Fosse Road School, utilising Soar Valley School for additional court space.
With the merger of Roundhill and St Luke's, Central Leicester Badminton Club continues to thrive and make its mark on the Leicestershire badminton scene. The club looks forward to a prosperous future, filled with competitive matches, community engagement, and the development of talented players.
