Badminton

St Mary's College

BADMINTON

Kat Charles, Engineering,4th Year

Why did you join Mary’s Badminton? I joined the badminton club at the beginning of my first year. As I had played badminton before university, I was keen to carry this on in a relaxed social environment, but where I also had the opportunity to improve and compete.

What is one of your favourite badminton memories? By far my favourite experience was participating in the intercollegiate varsity against York in 2021. Especially as a Captain, it was great to play alongside other colleges and represent both Mary ’ s and Durham.

Tell us about your best success at a tournament? Our women ’ s team in particular has had incredible success in recent years. After promotion to the premiership following an undefeated season in 2019, we went on to place second in 2021 and eventually win the league after college sport restarted last year, making us the best college team in the university! How has Mary’s Badminton added to your sense of college community? For me the resurgence of the club postlockdown captured the sense of Mary ’ s community. Since the majority of members graduated during the pandemic, we effectively had to start from scratch last year. The enthusiasm of new members, many of whom hadn ’t played much badminton before, to participate in training sessions and matches has meant the club has grown significantly, becoming more inclusive, social, and exciting.