The Badminton Club hosted its last practice of the cycle on Main Street from 4 to 5:30 p.m. with over 30 members in attendance on Oct. 28.

Badminton Club president and junior Benjamin Kotlyar became president in order to grow the badminton community at Bellaire and aims to help make the club a welcoming space for exercise and social interaction.

“Badminton Club is a place where people can come play after school and get some physical activity,” Kotlyar said. “The whole point is really just for fun and physical activity, not a super serious competitive sport. People come by to enjoy themselves, and that’s what makes it special.”

One of the challenges Kotlyar faces as president is the continuous growth of members in the club, as it has increased by over 20 people this year alone.

“We have way more people,” Kotylar said. “We constantly get new members, and sometimes there aren’t enough nets or rackets. I’m constantly seeing at least five new people every single meeting.”

Kotylar addressed this issue by buying new equipment. This cycle, the club expanded from three to five nets and increased the number of rackets from around 25 to 37, allowing more students to participate.

According to senior and two-year member Jefferey Guo, the addition of new equipment has largely benefitted the club.

“Before the nets, we sometimes had even eight people playing in the same court,” Guo said. “The old nets were loosely tied, but after this renewal, the equipment is more standardized and allows for a better playing experience.”

This new change has also allowed the club to gain a more “positive and welcoming” atmosphere.

“The new nets have definitely changed the club dynamic,” Kotylar said. “It has shifted from a more restrictive three-net system, with three skill levels, to a more free and inclusive system where anybody can play.”

New member and freshman Nyla Phillips-Lockett joined the club as she thought it would be a “fun activity” to get into.

“I was walking in the hallway after school, and I saw some kids playing badminton,” Phillips-Lockett said. “I thought it was pretty cool, so I ended up borrowing a racket and joined the club.”

What Phillips-Lockett appreciates the most about this club is the “fun community and a great environment.”

“Even though it’s low stakes, the competitive atmosphere is fun, and everyone is welcoming but challenging,” Lockett said. “[Badminton] has shown me that even if I don’t hit it perfectly at first, I can improve, and it’s a great way to build relationships with other members.”

In the upcoming months, Badminton Club is planning to expand its resources and membership, such as nets and the number of badminton competitions that they’ll host. The club will also have a booth at the Fall Festival on Nov. 14, where they’ll set up badminton nets for people to play with the officers.

To learn more about Badminton Club’s future events and upcoming practices, follow its Instagram @bhs.badminton.club and join its Remind @mintonbhs.