An Okotoks school, which adopted badminton because it fit the image it hopes to portray, is trying to reclaim a provincial banner.
Beth Chernoff, head mistress of Edison School, said the school put a larger emphasis on badminton approximately eight years ago because it allowed the small private school to compete against larger schools such as Holy Trinity Academy and Foothills Composite.
They also promote the sport because of the good sportsmanship involved in the game.
“At our school, we expect our students to be polite, kind and honest,” Chernoff said. “Badminton is a self-refereed sport. It’s as much about character as competition.”
Edison School now has a badminton centre which hosted the Provincial B championships on the weekend.
The school’s badminton team took flight three years ago with the hiring of teacher/coach Billy Gilliland, a former member the top ranked mixed doubles team in the world.
“It was a miracle,” Chernoff said about landing Gilliland. “I had met him when we first started playing badminton and I never dreamed we would have someone like him, we didn’t even ask him at the time. One year we asked him, and he said yes.”
Gilliland is starting in his third year at Edison School and he said he is pleased with the school’s advancement in badminton.
“We have some kids who can compete with the very best in the province,” Gilliland said.
He added the success of the older students trickles down to the elementary school students, who also spend a large part of their time with a racquet in their hand.
“Let’s be realistic, we don’t have enough kids to compete in football for example,” Gilliland said. “Badminton is a good fit for this school.”
Edison won the 1A (high schools with less than 100 students) provincial title in 2009 and they are aiming to get the banner back after losing by one point last year.
Edison, with help from Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) and Foothills Composite High School, is hosting the South Central Zone tournament today (April 20).
“Our goal is to win the 1A banner this year, but our first step is zones, which could be even harder because Standard is very strong,” Gilliland said. “We want to get as many players as we can to provincials.”
Edison School players swept all three of the singles divisions in both the girls and boys categories (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) at divisionals last week. Gilliland said it isn’t impossible all six could finish in the top two in their divisions at zones.
The top two players at zones advance to provincials.
Grade 11 student Michael Boland, who transferred to Edison School from HTA in part because of badminton, is playing in the Intermediate boys singles at zones.
“HTA is a good school, but for badminton they only play when it comes to divisionals and zones,” Boland said. “Here I get to play all year and play in club tournaments and stuff.”
Grade 10 student Brittany Lindberg is also playing singles at zones. She credited Gilliland and the positive attitude at Edison for making her a better player.
“Edison School got me interested in playing competitively,” Lindberg said. “Mr. Gilliland has been really good for my badminton. He’s a fantastic coach. He’s not too hard on you, but it is also hard to earn a compliment. He has a very good balance.”
Grade 10 student Darius Kamal, who will also be at zones, said sportsmanship is emphasized at Edison School.
“Edison has a reputation for being fair,” Kamal said. “Everyone gets upset now and then, but nobody at Edison throws their racquets or swears. Mr. Gilliland tells us if you act like an animal on the court, you will give the school and Edison a bad reputation.”
When Edison does take the court, they will recognize several of their opponents. Several players from other Okotoks schools drop in to play at the Edison Badminton Club after school.
For information about the Edison Badminton Club go to www.edisonbadminton.ca
