Hamilton-Wenham Badminton Club in South Hamilton, MA

Special Notices

The 2013-2014 Season began on 8-Oct-13. The season will likely continue into May, 2014. This club is seeking to attract a few more players.

There is no play on Thursday 31-Oct-13, since the school has some activity.

If the weather may be a problem when the club is expected to meet, it would be wise to e-mail Yoga at SYoganathan@forsyth.org if you plan to attend, just to be sure there will be enough players (at least 4) to warrant meeting.

This club meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the gym at the Cutler Elementary School at 237 Asbury Street in South Hamilton, MA. If you get there early, hang around until at least 7:30 p.m., since sometimes play begins that late. Games are played almost continuously thoughout the evening, so don't hesitate to show up late - you can join in whenever you get there. The club does not meet when there are special events at the school or when the school is closed due to school holidays, school vacation days, or snow days. When in doubt, e-mail or call one of the club officials listed below.

The gym is set up with 2 badminton courts. These courts are non-standard in that no singles lines are included. The first players to arrive set up the nets. The last ones to leave take them down and put them away.

There are three options for membership dues:

The 2013-2014 Season fee is $150 for playing twice per week or $75 for playing once per week (either night). These are the club's preference for all players, since it minimizes the bookkeeping and it helps the club's cash flow. The club fees may vary from season to season.
You may sign up for a half-season for half of the above fees.
You may pay $8 per visit.

Players who are attending in the beginning of the season are asked to pay their dues by the first session in November. If you pay fees by check, please make the check out to "Gerry Schrock", who is the club treasurer.

This club does not stock racquets for beginners to use, but one of the attendees may be amenable to loaning an extra racquet to a player.

The club does not provide refreshments or snacks, but there are water fountains at the school. Rest rooms are available too.

The club's regular membership consists of experienced players, but they are not a serious bunch - they enjoy joking and laughing throughout the evening. Although beginners are encouraged and welcome, there are few such folks. It also just happens to be the case that the club is predominantly male, but female players are certainly welcome. You must be at least 18 years old to play at this club. These characteristics make this a difficult club in which to learn the game from scratch. The Marblehead club is better suited for beginners, and it has the unique advantage of playing throughout the entire year. The Winchester, Arlington, Needham, and Duxbury clubs are also good clubs for beginners, but they are quite far from Hamilton.

The evening consists primarily of doubles game play, although you can usually get some practice in early or late. On a good night, there are 8-12 attendees, but there are usually fewer. Tuesdays tend to be better-attended than Thursdays.

The contact folks for this group are:
Yoga (Subbiah Yoganathan) - SYoganathan@forsyth.org
(unknown phone number)
Ron DeWitt - RDarwin@earthlink.net
978-465-3650 (H)

Directions to the Club

Take Route 128 North, past where Interstate 95 diverges, and past the North Shore Shopping Mall, to the exit in Beverly, MA for Route 1A North.
Head North on Route 1A for about 3 miles to the Hamilton town line, which is near a Mobil gas station on the left. Keep going another 1/4 mile, bearing left at the MBTA Commuter Line railroad crossing, pass a Citgo gas station and a Richdale store on your left.
You will soon turn left onto Asbury Street before the signal at the beginning of the park. There's a small building on the corner with pillars.
Go about 0.7 mile on Asbury Street to the school on the right.