Where does the club play?
Our venue is at:
Sports Hall
St Teresa’s School
Beech Avenue
Effingham
Surrey RH5 6ST
You can also find us using what3words (https://what3words.com):
///menu.locate.tricky
What day and time does the club play?
We play on Wednesday nights from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Are men and women welcome?
The club welcomes both men and women. For insurance purposes, the minimum age we accept is 18 years or older. Our current members are a mix of both men and women of varying age groups.
We are seeking new members to join our club so why not come along and give it a try.
Is the club suitable for beginners?
Howard Badminton Club is targeted for intermediate and above players who enjoy playing competitively and also socially.
We would not recommend this club to beginner or novice level players. Similarly, county or professional level players would likely find the club not sufficiently challenging.
If you are unsure whether your playing standard would be suitable, please reach out to us via the contact page and we will happily discuss this further. Our aim is to ensure that everyone who attends has an enjoyable experience.
Do you play with plastic or feather shuttles?
We play with feather shuttles which we consider to be superior to plastic shuttles. These are supplied by the club so you do not need to worry about bringing your own shuttles.
Whilst feather shuttles are slower than plastic shuttles, they have much better accuracy and also gives much greater control, particularly when playing net shots.
What is the minimum age to play?
For insurance reasons, the minimum age to play at the club is 18 years. We do not have a maximum age so as long as you are playing to an intermediate or above standard. For students in higher education (e.g. University), we offer a discounted student rate.
How much does it cost to play?
We are a non-profit badminton club. Our costs cover hire of the hall, providing feather shuttles and other sundry items. We also offer reduced student rates too. Check out our competitive membership pricing here.
Do you play singles or doubles games?
Our club night format is doubles games and will include playing single sex and mixed sex doubles.
How many courts do you have?
At St Teresa’s school, we have access to four courts and the hall is reserved exclusively for Howard Badminton Club on club night.
Do I need to bring along a partner to play?
No. We use a peg system so that every game has different players and you will get to play with and against different people throughout a club evening. We are a very sociable club and you will be warmly welcomed by everyone.
Are there changing rooms and shower facilities?
We have toilet facilities, but no changing rooms or shower facilities.
What should I wear?
We do not have a specific dress code but recommend for comfort that you wear sports apparel. You will need non-marking shoes. You can decide if you prefer to play in shorts, leggings, tracksuit bottoms, tee-shirts and polo shirts.
Is there parking onsite?
Yes. There is ample free parking onsite. Please do not park on the grass and only use the proper parking bays.
Do you play in league matches?
We welcome new members who are interested in playing in matches, either on a regular basis or as a substitute.
We currently have a men’s team playing in Division 1 of the East Surrey Badminton Association (ESBA) league, and are planning to field a further mixed and men’s team as the club expands.
Are you affiliated with St Teresa's school?
No. We are an independent club who rent St Teresa’s excellent sports hall facilities on Wednesday evenings.
Is there local public transportation?
No. We would advise that you drive to the venue as there are no local transportation links such as buses or trains. There is plenty of free car parking spaces for all of our members.
