UoN Sport skipper, Chris Adcock
People bang on about the tennis, especially now that Andy Murray is flying the flag – which flag, no-one seems quite sure – while others will tell you that squash is where the racquet-based cardiovascular action is, studiously avoiding the issue of the omnipresent danger of having a small vulcanized rubber ball pinged against your glutes. Meanwhile, in those bastions of weirdness and political grooming, Eton and Harrow, you’ll find jowly advocates of fives and racquets, games played by 17 and 32 people worldwide, respectively. But all of them are wrong. When it comes to racquet sports – and with all due respect to pelota, lest this offend any Basque separatists who may be reading – badminton is where it’s at. The (shuttle-)cock of the walk.
It’s just as well, then, that you live in fair Nottingham – home, of course, to former Olympic badders silver medallist, Nathan Robertson – which you’ll be pleased to learn has a team in the brand spanking new National Badminton League, the first ever professional badminton league in the UK. Not only that, the city’s wonderful Albert Hall (next door to The Playhouse) will be hosting a round of matches this Monday November 3.
Teams likely to be heading to defeat at the hands of the University of Nottingham franchise are: Team Derby (boooo!), the University of Birmin’um, Loughborough Sport, Milton Keynes Badminton, and, last (and quite possibly least, if the overcompensating name is any indication), Surrey Smashers.
NBL franchises
According to the NBL website, there’s “a new game format, unique scoring system and dynamic in-game features [which] makes every minute of every match matter”. Sky Sports have got in on the action, televising one of each round of matches live – they take place on Mondays, at monthly intervals – and streaming them to badminton hotspots around the globe, from Denmark to Indonesia. Nathan Robertson is on expert summariser duties, too, so expect some NG-love.
Heading up the thirteen-strong home squad is world number 5 and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Chris Adcock. “It was a feeling of such honour to be asked to be to captain of The University of Nottingham NBL team”, said Nottingham-born Chris. “To be the captain of the my home team will no doubt be a proud moment for myself and one I’ll certainly look forward to and remember for a long time to come. Hopefully I can lead the team well and by example, we have a great team here at The University of Nottingham, full of great experience and youth and I have the belief that we can go all the way”.
Each fixture will see men’s and ladies singles and doubles, as well as a mixed doubles game. Visiting this Monday are Milton Keynes. So, if you fancy swinging down to have a gander at high-speed, silken-touched, wrist-snapping athleticism, there are tickets available at student rates, as well as family tickets and group discounts. Smashin'.
The UoN squad will be playing MK Badminton on Monday 3 November at Nottingham Albert Hall, NBL tickets can be purchased here.
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