Casual games South East London

[bexterla]

Hi I have just joined this site, I live in Dulwich in SE21 and I can't for love nor money find a leisure centre to take me and my badders partner for over an hour. We find an hour is just not long enough to play 2-3 games. Also you have to book a week in advance and if you leave it just a couple of hours after they open, they are booked up! Am I right in thinking the clubs listed on this site are for those wanting to take part in competitions? We want to play once a week, but are not competition standard (I would like to get there eventually). Can anyone give me some advice on a place to join? I dont mind a little bit of travel. Thanks.

[danbelcher]

Try Wimbledon Racquets & Fitness Club.

www.wsbc.co.uk

It's a member's club and not a leisure centre but non-members can play on sunday evenings in the 5pm-7pm session. That session is a good opportunity to look around the club and see if it's right for you. There are plenty of quality coaches to help you improve your game and there are regular tournamenmts to participate in, many are handicapped according to ability.

The club also has a very good social scene.

And often there are very high standard tournaments played there if you fancy watching top class badminton. Of the many events last year we held an Elite and a Challenger which bring top county and England players to the club

It's good value as well. court hire for members is only £5.60 and it costs about £7 at my local leisure centre (plus they charge £1 entrance)

Hope to see you there

[bexterla]

Thanks Daniel, very helpful comments. Wimbledon is not too bad for me, will check out their website. Would love to get a bit good and take part in some games. My friend probably cant make the Sunday though which means I may have to go as billy no mates which, if there is a social scene, might be really good for me.

[tango]

Becky - if you were interested, there is a club of a very good standard who plays in Dulwich - alas on a Sunday also!!
the url for your perusal is...
http://www.wpbadminton.co.uk/

Other places to try are: Crystal Palace in SE19, The Bridge Leisure Centre in SE26 and Park Langley in Beckenham - the best place to play in South East London (also expensive to join).

be aware that Wimbledon is the best place to play in South West London but I stopped playing there because the fees were too much for my 'student' status!!

good luck where ever you end up!

[bexterla]

thanks tangy doll ! I called Langley Park and they can take us for 2 hours but evenings will have to be 6-8 (as they have leagues) which unfortunately i can't make after work. They can take us on Sunday though..but my friend only works in London Mon-Fri :o( I wish I didnt work it always gets in way ! May have to drag my boyfriend along..but he thinks badminton is girlie which is just not true but never mind :o)

[bexterla]

By the way, wpbadminton is closed for the summer, it is open September-April. Regards.

[tango]

Cheers Becky, I wasn't sure about that. But what about the venue they play at? If that's open for private bookings then you're laughing, there's like 8+ courts there.

Good luck anyway...

PS: If ever you end up near Dartford, let me know and I'll give you a game!!

[eddykid]

Yeah and don't forget your ice skates Becky if you are going to play in that hall....