News – ACT Badminton Association

Back to Badminton for ACT Badminton Clubs

ACT Badminton Association (ACTBA) Clubs have resumed social sessions in the ‘new normal’ in meeting all required health and safety requirements. The attached video from the Gungahlin Badminton Club highlights players enjoying social play while fully meeting the Club’s List of Player Responsibilities and Club COVID-19 Safety Plan. This includes: registering for all session; hand sanitising upon entry and during sessions; social distancing while waiting for games; no contact during play; and no sharing of racquets or water bottles. No players will attend when sick in any way and have agreed to get tested if showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

Back to badminton (next stage)

The ACT Government has now announced that the Stage 2.2 of the easing of restrictions will commence on Friday, 19 June 2020 (see https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1558701/COVID-19-Easing-of-Restrictions-Roadmap-Release-2.0-12-June-2020.pdf). This will provide for up to 100 people to play at indoor sports centres, subject to the one person per 4sqm rule.

This effectively means that all ACTBA affiliated badminton clubs can resume their social sessions. However, as some of the facilities that clubs hire are having some issues arranging for the reopening of their venues (largely related to sourcing cleaners), please see any notices individual clubs have placed on this

Back to Badminton (Slowly)

Chief Minister Andrew Barr, MLA announced on 26 May 2020 a relaxation of the restrictions to allow for the return of community indoor sports from 30 May 2020, initially limited to 20 people (see: https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2020/canberras-recovery-plan-supporting-our-community-and-our-economy). If all goes well, this limit will be increased to 50 people from 20 June 2020.

Some badminton clubs in the ACT will resume social play under the 20 person limit (but strictly for club members only), while others will resume when the 50 limit applies. Please contact individual clubs for details on the resumption of play at their

Suspension of Badminton at ACTBA Affiliated Clubs

The Prime Minister announced on 22 March 2020 that all indoor sporting venues would be restricted from opening from midday 23 March 2020 (see: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-220320).

As such, the ACTBA has advised all of its affiliated clubs to immediately suspend all club social play until further notice.

The badminton community in the ACT will play its part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

I wish everyone all the best over the coming months.

Olaf Schuermann

President, ACTBA

Postponement of June Bevan & Australasian U17 and CP Maddern & Australian U19 Championships

Badminton Australia and representatives of Australia’s State and Territory Badminton organisations, including the ACTBA President, met on 18 March 2020 to discuss the JUNE BEVAN TEAM EVENT & AUSTRALASIAN U/17 CHAMPIONSHIPS, scheduled to be held in Perth, Western Australia from the 11th-18th April 2020 and the CP MADDERN TEAM EVENT & AUSTRALIAN U/19 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, scheduled to be held in Geelong, Victoria from the 4th July to 11th July, 2020.

With consideration of the announcement by the Federal and State/Territory Governments relating to coronavirus and the importance of protecting the health and safety of the badminton community it was agreed

Postponement of ACT Open, 2-3 May 2020

In light of recent developments concerning the COVID-19 virus and to ensure the continued health and well being of the ACT badminton community, the ACTBA has decided to postpone the ACT’s preeminent badminton tournament, the ACT Open, which was scheduled to have been held at the Australian Institute of Sport from 2-3 May 2020.

In a recent teleconference call with Badminton Australia and representatives of all state and territory badminton bodies, it was agreed that we will all again meet (via another teleconference call) on 24 June to discuss and agree to possible future dates for all of our postponed

Urgent Update on Inter Club Team Challenge, 28 March

Having considered the recent developments of COVID-19, the ACTBA regrettably inform that the Interclub competition to be held on the 28th of March has been cancelled with strong consideration for the health and safety of all our players and volunteers. ACTBA has decided to support the concerted effort by our government and world wide sporting bodies to attempt to limit the spread of this virus by not holding the tournament at this time.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and our thoughts are with those that are affected by this pandemic.

If you have any questions, please

2020 ACT Inter-club Team Challenge

ACTBA 2020 March InterClub Team Challenge Regulations

ENTRY: The entry fee per team is $60.

Entries close on Sunday 22nd March 2020 at 11.59pm
To enter, Club’s must enter their Teams and pay through Tournament Software.

Players must be a registered member of an ACTBA Club, or a registered member of a club affiliated with Badminton Australia (Open and B Grade only). If an event is oversubscribed and subject to a maximum draw size, entries by ACTBA club will be given preference over interstate Clubs.

Register for the Tournament

EVENT FORMAT
This event is a doubles competition, and consists of

Update from the ACT Badminton Association (ACTBA)

It is now timely to do an update as all clubs have now recommenced. In this update I would like to mention: the Revolutionise membership system; insurance matters; the Interclub Challenge competition on 28March, the ACT Open on 2-3 May; and developments since submitting my policy submission to the ACT Government and Opposition seeking co-funding for a dedicated badminton facility in the ACT.

Firstly, a big congratulations to Canberra’s own Anthony Joe (AJ) who was part of Australia’s successful team that won the recent Oceania Men’s Team Championships in Ballarat. They have now qualified for the BWF Thomas Cup

ACT Badminton Association (ACTBA) 2020 ACT Election Policy Submission

The ACTBA has prepared a policy submission ahead of the 2020 ACT Election in October. Reflecting the substantial increased demand to play badminton in the ACT and a severe lack of available and suitable facilities, the ACTBA recommends that the ACT Government and the Liberal Party Opposition jointly commit to the:

co-funding of the order of $500,000 with a private sector investor the development of the ACT’s first dedicated badminton facility.

The policy submission can be found here.

For further information please contact the ACTBA President, Olaf Schuermann (Email: actba.president@badmintonact.org.au, Ph: 0400472711).

Under 13 National Carnival Report 2020

To ACT Technical Officials / ACTBA committee,

Western Suburbs BA once again hosted the U13 National carnival, comprising of the Interstate Series, the Regional Boys Challenge and the Regional Teams Challenge. The carnival was held over 3 days (17-19 Jan) at the Altona Badminton Centre, VIC.

ACT entered a team to compete in the Regional Teams Challenge with 4 local players (Charith, Gordon, Fahim and Victoria), supplemented by 2 girls from the Infinity BC (VIC). Team officials were Xing Huong (Coach), Gerald Lin (Manager) and Valouny Souksavat (Umpire).

There were 9 teams entered in the Regional Teams Challenge with ACT

Expression of Interest – 2020 Australian National (Under 17 Championships)

This event has been postponed.

The ACTBA is seeking expressions of interest from ACT players, managers, coaches and umpires who are interested in participating in the 2020 Australian National Under 17 Championships, incorporating the individual event and team event (the June Bevan Carnival). Players must be an ACTBA affiliated member to be eligible to play.

EOI Entries Close COB Thursday Jan 30^th

Date: Saturday 11^th April – Saturday 18^th April 2020

Location: Perth, WA

ACTBA Business Plan 2019-2021

The ACTBA Business Plan 2019-2021 was prepared and endorsed by the Executive Committee following feedback by ACTBA member clubs and members. It will guide the operations of the ACTBA in six key focus areas, including: coaching and training; participation in competitions; growth in membership; sponsorship opportunities; promoting inclusive and safe playing environments; and political support ahead of the 2020 ACT Election for a dedicated badminton facility in the ACT.

Greetings from the 2020 ACTBA President, Olaf Schuermann

I was elected as the 2020 ACTBA President at the 2019 AGM on 8 December 2019. Vikram Varma was, unfortunately, unable to continue in the role due to other commitments. Thankfully, most of the rest of the 2019 Committee was willing to continue in their roles in 2020: Alan Kisbee as Vice President; Raymond Kan as Treasurer; Robynne Mah as Secretary; and Brideen Allen as Match Secretary. This will provide for the continuity needed to continue with the implementation of the agreed 2019-20 ACTBA Business Plan.

After many years in the role as Webmaster, Bas Gintings will hand over the reins

2019 President’s Report

Overview

On behalf of ACTBA, I would like to present this year’s President’s Report. This year was always going to be a year of change and transition for ACTBA, with only Robynne Mah continuing in the Secretary role. As a new Executive Committee, we had a lot to learn and do. We also needed to quickly bring together a coherent understanding of the key issues facing our sport and affiliated clubs.

The new committee has undertaken an enormous step to shift the pendulum towards addressing a number of these longer-term risks and issues that require strategic thinking and good planning.