The 2020 Yonex Norman Open all-ages badminton tournament took place at Westwood School March 6-8, attracting participants from multiple communities in Northern Manitoba.
Adam Morin, president of the Thompson Badminton Club, which is affiliated with the Manitoba Badminton Association, said the event was a success despite lower numbers than some previous years.
“It went well, but due to some travel restrictions attendance was down,” he said. “It was still a really good tournament. The kids love it … they were all sad to leave and will be back next year. Pretty much everyone around the north participates – Grand Rapids, Gods Lake, Leaf Rapids, Flin Flon and The Pas.”
The popularity of badminton in North Manitoba isn’t something most people know about, explained Morin.
“It kind of comes in waves,” he explained. “I think people were really surprised just how amazing the badminton was at the Winter Games when it was here. It’s a huge team event. There’s lots of noise and bangers. It was probably the loudest event in the Winter Games, so it spiked some interest in a lot of kids. Our club quadrupled in size, so we definitely received a lot of exposure from that.”
The Yonex Norman Open is the only non-school badminton tournament in Northern Manitoba, explained Morin.
“It’s a good opportunity for northern communities to get together, and at least test their skills against other people in their region before high school season comes around. So it’s good for the adults too, who come to the club to compete and have fun with friends. It’s a good variety of all skill levels.”
For more information on the Thompson Badminton Club, please email
[email protected] or follow the club on Facebook.
