Minnesota Schools Show Interest in Sponsoring Badminton

It is often said that co-curricular activities are an extension of the classroom. Badminton aptly fits that description. The activity, forever known as primarily a backyard game, is also a common part of physical education curriculums. But in a handful of states, badminton is hanging around after hours, too.

“Badminton is no longer just considered a backyard game played at a picnic,” said Kevin Anderson, a Minnesota-based sports historian with specialties in badminton, volleyball and girls basketball. “This sport is opening up more and more opportunities to students. Really, it is a gateway sport for participants that aren’t in the mainline of high school activities.”

In the 2021-22 participation survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, there are 268 boys teams across the state associations and 4,942 participants. The six states that have schools participating in boys badminton are California, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New York and Ohio. California leads the way with 208 teams and 3,925 participants. New York is next with 26 teams and 503 participants.

Nine states have schools participating in girls badminton, equating to 535 schools and 12,386 participants. California again leads the way with 230 schools and 4,701 participants. Illinois is next with 104 schools and 3,835 participants.

For the past decade, Minnesota has been on the threshold of reaching 32 teams, the benchmark by which the Minnesota State High School League requires for a state association-run state tournament. Currently, Anderson is the primary organizer of Minnesota’s state tournament, which is sponsored by the coaches association.

North St. Paul High School is one of the latest schools to offer badminton as an activity. In Minnesota, girls badminton is played in the spring.

“The decision to add girls badminton to our school’s already- numerous education-based opportunities was an easy one,” said Jed Helwig, North St. Paul’s activities director. “After we completed our athletics survey, there was overwhelming support to offer the sport. We have a diverse population of students, and by adding girls badminton, we are able to provide opportunities for all students.”

In promoting badminton to member schools or state associations, Anderson has numerous selling points.

Because badminton is considered an “entry sport,” it is unlikely that players are leaving other activities.

Badminton reaches a diverse, international and under-served population of students. When Minnesota girls badminton was in its infancy in the late 1990s, activities administrators in the St. Paul City Conference met with the elders of Hmong and Southeast Asian communities to share the importance of participation in education-based activities. When the elders agreed to let girls participate, they flourished. Since 1996, the St. Paul City Conference has won the girls badminton state championship 19 times. St. Paul Johnson has 11 crowns and St. Paul Harding, just 3.4 miles away, has won eight.

Most school gymnasiums have badminton equipment for physical education classes and floors are already marked.

Badminton does not require officials, which is welcome news in an era where there is a great need nationwide for officials in all activities. Players make their own calls, and when needed, coaches can assist. Sportsmanship in badminton tends to be quite high with opponents complimenting one another on shots. “Does this mean they aren’t competitive?” Anderson asked. “No, they recognize great plays and acknowledge it. It is well above the sportsmanship in other activities. I don’t think I’ve seen an opponent cheer a transition layup by someone else.”

Anderson sees that badminton offers a cross-training opportunity. For example, the overhead motion of badminton mimics that of a volleyball hitter.

Conflicts with gym time will only occur early in the spring.

Schools don’t cut players. All that are interested have an opportunity to play.

Matches are fast and entertaining with back-to-front and sideto- side action. A game typically lasts 7-10 minutes in the best-ofthree format.

Girls badminton is also an option if member schools or state associations are seeking Title IX compliance in their offerings of education- based opportunities. In Minnesota, the sanctioning of boys volleyball is on the horizon and member schools are researching options.

“There isn’t any negativity with this activity,” Anderson said. “Badminton opens doors for students and creates an incredible amount of positivity. You are increasing opportunities for a population of students that aren’t involved in activities. Getting students involved is what education-based activities is all about.”