All you need is a racquet and some goggles and you're good to go

Badminton can be a relatively cheap sport for those looking for a new activity.

"A racquet and protective eyewear and it's a go into a club," said Val Butler, who has been the Ontario Badminton Association's executive director since 2001.

But Butler, who has witnessed rather steady increases in her association's membership numbers this decade, believes there's also another reason why the sport is booming in the province – the huge number of Asian families that have moved to Toronto and surrounding areas in recent years. And once settled here, many end up joining a local badminton club.

"It's a very big sport in Asia," Butler said. "To them, playing badminton is like playing baseball here. The stars in those countries are badminton players."

Butler is confident registration numbers will continue to rise.

"The sport is becoming more popular, a bit like soccer, which is taking over from the traditional sports," she said.

This past year the OBA had 122 affiliated clubs, totalling almost 8,000 members. About half of the OBA-affiliated clubs had junior programs, for those 19 and under.

There is no official age to join a club.

"Some take them as young as 7or 8," Butler said. "It's an individual club decision."

Butler said those who are just starting out in the sport can purchase a racquet, starting at around $60. Protective goggles are also a must and they cost $25 and up. And then for those who join a club, there's a yearly registration fee, around $100.

For juniors, the OBA offers three levels, starting with the recreational one for the casual player. There are also competitive level events and junior high performance, for those wishing to play at the provincial and national levels.

Copyright © 2007 TheStar