I have never had special training in this sport, but have played it many years while I was in Ireland.  I represented my house and often trashed my opponents from other houses.  We all played for the sake of our houses, no one was particularly into the sport.

I have enjoyed my badminton life, especially playing with my teacher (she was also a friend), Miss Alison Chestnutt.  We'd enjoy a close game of badminton and table-tennis together, on every Wednesday afternoon and also while we're at the sports hall together.  During the games there's no barrier between teacher and student, just two sportswomen on the court.  And the game would end on the court!

That's what true sportsmanship should be!

I can't exactly recall when I actually started to play badminton or why I started playing it.  But it is a sport of it's own, it requires skills, fitness, strength, stamina and lots and lots of concentration.

I played badminton from primary school all the way to secondary school, winning a number of big matches for my house in both singles and doubles.  Ever since I reached university, I haven't had the chance to get involved in the sport again.  I have thought of joining hall team but I lost that idea when I decided that studies was more important.  I wonder if I'd ever pick up my racket again and play the sports?  May be my racket has rotted already! :)

Important things in the game:
Judgment of strength--- it is just the thing you need to drive your opponents mad
Concentration--- you must concentrate on every hit of the shuttle or you'll miss it
Pin-point accuracy--- if you always hit at the right places then you're very successful indeed
Don't ever feel frustrated--- if frustration fills you then your opponent will fill up the score sheet
Quick footwork--- being able to move around the court smoothly is everything

Of course if you play doubles you also need to coordinate well with your partner!  Team work is very important in a doubles match!  Don't ever think you're a superman/superwoman that you can play one against two!  I'm impossible, I can tell you now!