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RABC Member Pages
Welcome to the Members section of the RA Badminton Club (RABC). RA Badminton Club volunteers maintain this section on the website. The RA Badminton Club (RABC) has long been a community where new or old friends connect in this timeless sport. Young or old, competitive or recreational, all players have a place at the RA. You will be joining some of Canada’s top ranked Badminton players who are proud to call the RA Badminton Club their home club. |
Tournaments
RABC Fun Christmas Tournament - December 2022, more details TBA
ODBA Open Championships - Details TBD
ODBA Mark Grantham Team Challenge - Details TBD
RA Club Championships - March 2023, more details TBA
ODBA Junior Championships - Details TBD
ODBA Open Championships - Details TBD
ODBA Mark Grantham Team Challenge - Details TBD
RA Club Championships - March 2023, more details TBA
ODBA Junior Championships - Details TBD
Court Rules & Etiquette
To ensure the quiet and safe enjoyment of badminton by all members, Club members are expected to adhere to the RA Code of Ethics and the RA Badminton Club Code of Conduct. New members may not be aware of the rules or what to expect in the area of court etiquette or conduct. In conjunction with the Code of Conduct, the points listed below are expected to be adhered to:
1. Walking between courts
Please be aware of games in progress when you are walking by or between the courts. It’s very distracting to those playing when someone walking by is talking loudly or inadvertently strays onto the court. It can also be dangerous if the player does not see someone walk across the corner of the court and backs up to take a shot. Please wait until the rally is finished before you go between and around the courts.
2. Calling lines
Calling lines is often a controversial issue. However, if you’re in doubt as to whether the bird is in, on the line, or out, you should call it in favour of your opponent. Be courteous and accept line calls in the spirit that most players offer them.
3. Sport clothing
A traditional White-clothing rule in badminton is not observed. Coloured clothing is acceptable. The Club wishes to ensure a standard of dress on the court. Ripped T-shirts or cut-off shorts are not acceptable.
4. Non-marking court shoes
Our hardwood floors are very susceptible to marking from black-soled shoes or scratches from grit-carrying outdoor shoes. Floor re-finishing is very expensive. The use of non-marking court shoes is enforced and players not using them may be requested to leave the courts.
5. Cell phones
Please turn off your cell phones while on the courts. Please check for messages between games in the badminton lounge.
6. Courtesy
Always be considerate to your fellow players. Most players like to challenge stronger players, so please accept games with players somewhat below your own level on an occasional basis so they learn to improve. If someone looks lost, offer to help them. Often, new members simply don’t understand the rules and need information. Don’t be afraid to ask someone you don’t know to play with you.
7. Members only
Non-members may enter the badminton court or lounge areas ONLY as guests of a member as detailed under Guests overleaf.
8. Food and Drink
Please refrain from bringing food or drink onto the courts other than normal sports snacks and drinks in non-spill containers.
1. Walking between courts
Please be aware of games in progress when you are walking by or between the courts. It’s very distracting to those playing when someone walking by is talking loudly or inadvertently strays onto the court. It can also be dangerous if the player does not see someone walk across the corner of the court and backs up to take a shot. Please wait until the rally is finished before you go between and around the courts.
2. Calling lines
Calling lines is often a controversial issue. However, if you’re in doubt as to whether the bird is in, on the line, or out, you should call it in favour of your opponent. Be courteous and accept line calls in the spirit that most players offer them.
3. Sport clothing
A traditional White-clothing rule in badminton is not observed. Coloured clothing is acceptable. The Club wishes to ensure a standard of dress on the court. Ripped T-shirts or cut-off shorts are not acceptable.
4. Non-marking court shoes
Our hardwood floors are very susceptible to marking from black-soled shoes or scratches from grit-carrying outdoor shoes. Floor re-finishing is very expensive. The use of non-marking court shoes is enforced and players not using them may be requested to leave the courts.
5. Cell phones
Please turn off your cell phones while on the courts. Please check for messages between games in the badminton lounge.
6. Courtesy
Always be considerate to your fellow players. Most players like to challenge stronger players, so please accept games with players somewhat below your own level on an occasional basis so they learn to improve. If someone looks lost, offer to help them. Often, new members simply don’t understand the rules and need information. Don’t be afraid to ask someone you don’t know to play with you.
7. Members only
Non-members may enter the badminton court or lounge areas ONLY as guests of a member as detailed under Guests overleaf.
8. Food and Drink
Please refrain from bringing food or drink onto the courts other than normal sports snacks and drinks in non-spill containers.
Protective Eyewear
The existing Ontario Badminton Association (OBA) policy on eye protection is that all Junior players in Ontario must wear protective eyewear meeting the ASTM F803 Standard where there are more than two players on the same court at all OBA, District or affiliated club activities.
The ODBA has adopted the policy that normal prescription eyewear may be used in District and Club activities and in non-OBA-sanctioned tournaments, even though such eyewear does not meet the ASTM F803 standard, on the condition that parents are made aware of the risks involved, AND that parents accept all liability for injuries their children may sustain as a result of not using eyewear that meets the standard. The RA Badminton Club and the RA Centre strongly urge parents to consider the potential for eye injuries and to encourage their children to wear protective eyewear. In allowing their children to NOT wear this equipment, parents are assumed to have accepted any liability for injury.
Nevertheless, all Junior participants in any tournament or event sanctioned by the OBA or the ODBA, MUST wear the protective eyewear in accordance with the policies, or they will NOT be allowed to participate.
The ODBA has adopted the policy that normal prescription eyewear may be used in District and Club activities and in non-OBA-sanctioned tournaments, even though such eyewear does not meet the ASTM F803 standard, on the condition that parents are made aware of the risks involved, AND that parents accept all liability for injuries their children may sustain as a result of not using eyewear that meets the standard. The RA Badminton Club and the RA Centre strongly urge parents to consider the potential for eye injuries and to encourage their children to wear protective eyewear. In allowing their children to NOT wear this equipment, parents are assumed to have accepted any liability for injury.
Nevertheless, all Junior participants in any tournament or event sanctioned by the OBA or the ODBA, MUST wear the protective eyewear in accordance with the policies, or they will NOT be allowed to participate.
RABC Code of Conduct
- No abusive language or conduct will be tolerated
- Members shall not damage RA property, including the Badminton courts and lounge
- All members shall abide by the Play Board system to ensure a fair and enjoyable atmosphere for all
- All coaching is provided by the Club Professional or his designate
- All members shall abide by posted Club Rules and Court Etiquette
(Please note that as a general rule, playing privileges for all membership types are superseded by the summer badminton camp, sanctioned tournaments, and special events. It is the Club’s practice to provide notice to members in advance by posting information on the web site and notices on the schedule boards in the lounge.)
About the Club
Are you looking for a club where you can learn and improve your badminton? Where you can meet and socialize with other enthusiasts? Where the entire family can enjoy this fantastic sport?
The RA Badminton Club is proud to have a membership made up of people of all ages and skill levels. With a large membership base, there is no doubt you will find friends to play with at your own level! It is a perfect environment, whether you are young or old, competitive or recreational, you have a place at the RA Badminton Club.
The Club’s six courts, considered by many to be the best courts in North America, are dedicated exclusively to badminton.The many activities include;
The Club is also proud of its past and current national champions. The names of many of our talented members are on display in the badminton lounge. The Club is also home to one of the top junior development programs in Canada. In this exciting environment you could be seeing future National Champions training beside you while you play!
If you have any questions regarding the playing privileges or any other aspect of the Club affairs, be sure to talk to a Club Council Member or the Club Pro, Mike Bitten.
The RA Badminton Club is proud to have a membership made up of people of all ages and skill levels. With a large membership base, there is no doubt you will find friends to play with at your own level! It is a perfect environment, whether you are young or old, competitive or recreational, you have a place at the RA Badminton Club.
The Club’s six courts, considered by many to be the best courts in North America, are dedicated exclusively to badminton.The many activities include;
- family play,
- club tournaments and championships,
- doubles ladders,
- coaching and clinics,
- organized social play, and
- social events
The Club is also proud of its past and current national champions. The names of many of our talented members are on display in the badminton lounge. The Club is also home to one of the top junior development programs in Canada. In this exciting environment you could be seeing future National Champions training beside you while you play!
If you have any questions regarding the playing privileges or any other aspect of the Club affairs, be sure to talk to a Club Council Member or the Club Pro, Mike Bitten.
Club History
The RA Badminton Club began in 1958 as one of the clubs of the RA (the Recreation Association of the Public Service of Canada). It has provided opportunities to play badminton in Ottawa, develop new badminton players and has managed competitions as part of the ODBA, the Ottawa District Badminton Association. In 1958 – Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker laid the cornerstone on the W. Clifford Clark Memorial Recreation Centre.
In 1978, the RA opened a dedicated badminton facility consisting of 6 professional courts. This became one of Canada’s leading badminton clubs and site for National tournaments, Canadian Championships in 1980, 1996 and the Canadian Masters in 1982 and 2009.
In 1978, the RA opened a dedicated badminton facility consisting of 6 professional courts. This became one of Canada’s leading badminton clubs and site for National tournaments, Canadian Championships in 1980, 1996 and the Canadian Masters in 1982 and 2009.
- Keith Hollands - In the late 1950’s the RA Centre opened in Ottawa and Keith became a member of the fledgling RA Badminton Club. He participated as club executive, and later on the ODBA and Badminton Ontario. For numerous years, Keith was a Director of Badminton Canada, chairing several committees.
- David Waddell - Was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Ottawa Recreation Association in 1992, and the Hall of Fame of the Ontario Badminton Association in 2000. Dave Waddell was instrumental in having the RA Badminton Club as part of the initial RA Association in 1960, served on the RA BC Executive for many years and also spent time on the RA Board of Directors. Dave Waddell was the key person in having Badminton as part of the 1978 Expansion and provided his design work and specifications to allow the RA BC to have the 6 International courts that we enjoy today.
- Mike Beres: - Beres competed in badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympics in mixed doubles with partner Jody Patrick. Beres has won 8 Canadian National Championships between 1998 and 2007, two of them in men's singles, four in men's doubles and two in mixed doubles. Beres has also competed in the 2000 Olympics and qualified for the August 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing for mixed doubles.
- John Czich - In 1977, he won a gold medal as part of the Canadian National Men’s Doubles Team competing in the Pan Am Badminton Championship. The following year, he won a silver medal in the team event at the Commonwealth Games and won both the men’s singles and doubles titles with the Canadian National Team competing at the North of Scotland Open. In 1979, his final year of competition, he won the Canadian Men’s Closed Singles title.
- Ian Bishop - Ian Bishop served 20+ years on the RA BC executive and a further 20+ years on the RA Board of Directors. In addition to his RA work Ian spent 18 years as ODBA President and he has been Vice President of Badminton Canada and President of the Ontario Badminton Association. In addition to his organizational work, as a Badminton Player Ian has won many Canadian Masters, International Masters and World Masters Championships.
- Mark Grantham - The Mark Grantham Team Tournament is best known as the most popular and entertaining badminton tournament in Ottawa, which in 1975 was designed and implemented by Mark Grantham Senior, Mark was a long time member of the Gloucester Badminton Club and the RA Badminton Club where he was well known.
- Andrew Dabeka: - As a player, Andrew Dabeka represented Canada at countless international events, from 1998 to 2009. He represented Canada at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. His highest ranking was 20th in the World, in 2005. Other Notable Results: Dabeka won 2008 US Open Men's Singles Champion. He has won 6 Canadian National Championships between 1999 and 2010.
- Andrew D'Souza - He has won the men's singles title at the Canadian National Badminton Championshipsin 2015. the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 Pan American Games.
Club Hall of Fame
RA Hall of Fame – Sports:
RA Hall of Fame – Builder
RA President’s Award:
RA Life Membership:
RA Badminton Club Lifetime Members:
- Mike Beres
- Ian Bishop
- Andrew Dabeka
- John Czich
RA Hall of Fame – Builder
- Dave Waddell
RA President’s Award:
- Ian Bishop
- Andrew Dabeka
- Bruce Filuk
- Russ Mullan
- Doreen Phillips
- Dave Waddell
RA Life Membership:
- Donald C Awrey
- Wally Gerus
- Gary Enright
- Ronald P Morris
RA Badminton Club Lifetime Members:
- Ian Bishop
- Anne Buckley
- Ferdy Doreleyers
- Bruce Filuk
- Wally Gerus
- Ian McAllister
- Bruce Miller
- Ron Morris
- Dave Waddell
