As a part of the Regional Badminton Revitalisation Program funded by the Sports and Recreation Victoria, The Badminton Come & Try sessions have made a strong and positive start in Horsham, bringing together community members in a fun, welcoming, and inclusive environment. The initiative focuses on creating a safe, beginner-friendly space where people of all backgrounds can try badminton, stay active, and connect with others.

The initiative was developed to better engage CALD community members in Horsham, identified as a key focus area for the club. Badminton Victoria recruited Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly to conduct community consultations, gaining insights into the barriers faced by CALD participants when accessing badminton. Participants from varied backgrounds including Indian (Malayali and Punjabi), Filipino, Chinese, and Thai backgrounds contributed to the discussions. Entry barriers identified by these groups included scheduling conflicts, equipment costs, confidence and skill levels, language barriers, limited awareness of where to play, transport difficulties, not always feeling welcomed in existing sporting environments and other personal reasons .

In response, the pilot program was scheduled during weekend mid-day sessions to better suit community availability. Equipment was provided by the club, and sessions were delivered in a fun, casual format led by volunteers to create a safe and welcoming environment. Families were encouraged to attend, with snacks and refreshments available throughout the sessions. The first two sessions attracted 40 participants, many of whom were new to the club, successfully introducing badminton to a broader community audience.

Participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback following the session. Many expressed their excitement to return, with several noting they are already looking forward to the next session. One participant shared, “This is my first time playing badminton, I thought I never could, but turns out I can do it.” She also expressed how thankful she was for the opportunity to be part of the program.

Families and community members also highlighted the social impact of the event. Participants noted that the sessions provide a great opportunity for kids and families to stay active while connecting with others in the community. The inclusive and relaxed nature of the program has made it accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved.

With such a strong response from the first session, the program is already proving to be a valuable initiative for the Horsham community, encouraging participation, confidence, and social connection through sport.

A special thank you to Luke Dunn, the President of the club, and Caitlin Sawyer, the Secretary of the Horsham Badminton Association for their efforts in delivering the program. Appreciation is also extended to Matthew Jolly and Vedang Ovalekar from Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly for their support in leading the community consultation process.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/fqLykWgUbiI