OSM Badminton Celebrates 50 Years: A Look Back with Geert-Jan Fluitman
OSM Badminton is celebrating its 50th anniversary. A longtime member, Geert-Jan Fluitman, reflects on his nearly 40 years with the club, tracing badminton’s evolution. His insights provide a unique perspective on the sport’s change and OSM Badminton’s enduring legacy.
From Steel to Carbon: Badminton’s Technological Leap
Fluitman recalls the shift from heavy steel rackets to today’s lightweight carbon models. This change marks one of the most important technological advancements in badminton history, enabling faster play and greater maneuverability.
evolving Techniques: Goodbye ‘hink-Stap-Sprong’
outdated badminton movement such as “hink-stap-sprong,” once used to reach shots in the backcourt, have been replaced with more effective techniques. Similarly,the restricted serve from the hip has given way to more dynamic serving styles.
scoring Revolution: The Rally Point System
The traditional scoring system of 15-point sets, where points could only be scored on one’s own serve, has been replaced by the rally point system. This began with sets of 7, quickly transitioning to the now-standard 21-point sets, fundamentally changing the game’s pace and intensity.
Fads and New Focus: From Speed Badminton to Oldstars
Fluitman notes the rise and fall of badminton variations like speed badminton and air badminton. Current initiatives include Bamito, focusing on modified badminton for young children, and the accomplished Oldstars badminton program, catering to older players.
Growth and Adaptation: OSM Badminton’s Enduring Appeal
Reflecting on his time,fluitman remembers smaller youth groups. OSM Badminton continues to evolve, adapting to trends and catering to diverse age groups and abilities, ensuring its continued success.
Longtime Badminton Trainer Reflects on 20 Years of growth, Relationships, and Community Impact
After two decades of coaching badminton, a local youth trainer is stepping down, reflecting on years of personal growth, unexpected relationships, and the profound impact the sport has had on their life. The trainer, who began coaching in September 2004, has witnessed their group expand and contract over the years, most recently growing to a size unmanageable for a single coach.
Evolution From Player to Mentor: A Coaching Journey
the coach describes a transformation from focusing on personal performance (“I, the player”) to team success (“we, the trainers”) and ultimately to prioritizing the players’ individual needs (“they, the players”). This evolution reflects a deeper understanding of coaching, recognizing the importance of observing each player’s character, aspirations, and daily mindset.
Badminton: More Than a Game, a Source of Lifelong Connections
The trainer emphasizes that badminton has become an integral part of their life, fostering friendships, providing valuable insights, and creating unexpected experiences. They shared anecdotes of individuals within the badminton community who have also experienced significant personal growth. One example is Jenny Fleuren, who initially only wanted to assist with coaching but eventually obtained her trainers license and now leads training sessions. Another is Fréderique Vrolijk, who is now the trainer’s partner after meeting through badminton.
Finding Love and community Through Sport
The coach recounts meeting Fréderique at a family tournament, highlighting the unexpected joy of finding love later in life after being single for over 50 years. Now, both Fréderique and the coach share a passion for badminton, leading to frequent badminton conversations at home. This personal connection underscores the power of sports to create lasting relationships and a sense of belonging.
Looking Ahead: Badminton’s Enduring Legacy
As the trainer steps down, they express gratitude for the profound impact badminton has had on their life and the lives of others, cementing its place as more than just a sport but as a vital source of community and personal fulfillment.
Badminton: A Lifelong Passion and Community Builder
For two decades, one individual’s life has been deeply intertwined with the sport of badminton, fostering connections and creating a vibrant community.From coaching youth to sharing meals with friends, badminton serves as a constant thread, weaving together personal and social experiences.
Passing the Torch: Mentorship and Evolution in Badminton Coaching
Recently, while coaching youth badminton alongside a former student, a tradition of sharing post-training “bolletje eten” (bun eating) took place. This tradition has been ongoing for the entire 20 years of coaching. Unexpectedly, they met the author’s very first assistant and student from 20 years prior. United by badminton, they quickly agreed that their daughter would play badminton when she was old enough.
Behind the scenes, plans were hatched for future training sessions and clinics, signifying a new generation taking the reins. This evolution is embraced, seeing it as a sign of growth and shared passion: Love is…not needing me anymore.
Badminton Beyond the Court: Friendship and Shared Moments
The sense of community extends beyond the badminton court. Regular sushi runs at a local shop owned by badminton-playing friends turns into plans for tea the next afternoon,followed by badminton again the day after that. Life revolves around the sport, creating a continuous cycle of friendship and shared activity.
In essence, life is full of badminton, highlighting the enduring power of sport to create lasting relationships and a sense of belonging.
What role does tradition, like the “bolletje eten” practice, play in maintaining the community spirit at OSM Badminton?
OSM Badminton & Badminton Coaching: Frequently Asked Questions
This Q&A explores the key themes of longevity, evolution, adn community within the world of badminton, as highlighted in the provided articles.
Q&A
Q: What major changes has badminton seen over the past 50 years, according to Geert-Jan Fluitman?
A: key advancements include the shift from steel to carbon fiber rackets, the evolution of playing techniques (e.g., moving away from “hink-stap-sprong”), and the introduction of the rally point scoring system, changing the game’s pace and intensity.also, the rise and fall of different badminton variations like Speed Badminton and Air Badminton.
Q: How has the scoring system changed badminton?
A: The traditional 15-point set, where points were only scored on your serve, has been replaced by the rally point system. This transition, starting with 7-point sets and evolving to the current 21-point sets, significantly increased the game’s speed and intensity.
Q: What are some examples of how OSM Badminton has adapted and grown?
A: OSM Badminton has adapted by catering to diverse age groups and abilities, including programs like Bamito for young children and the Oldstars badminton program for older players. This adaptability ensures the club’s continued success.
Q: How did the coach’s perspective on coaching evolve over 20 years?
A: The coach’s focus shifted from personal performance (“I, the player”) to team success (“we, the trainers”) and finally prioritizing the players’ individual needs (“they, the players”).This reflected a deeper understanding of coaching and the importance of individual player development.
Q: How has badminton fostered relationships in the coach’s life?
A: Badminton facilitated the formation of lifelong friendships and even led the coach to find love with Fréderique Vrolijk, whom they met through badminton. The sport became a source of community and personal fulfillment.
Q: What is the significance of the “bolletje eten” tradition?
A: The tradition of sharing “bolletje eten” (bun eating) after training sessions highlights the community aspect of badminton. It symbolizes continuity and passing on a shared passion across generations, as seen when they connected with their frist assistant.
Q: How does badminton create a sense of community beyond the court?
A: Badminton facilitates social connections and shared experiences, as seen through regular sushi runs with friends from the badminton community, and other social activities, creating a continuous cycle of friendship and shared experiences.
Q: What advice is ther for those looking to build lasting relationships through sports?
A: Embrace the community aspect of the sport. Participate in social activities, be open to meeting new people, and prioritize shared experiences over just winning. Building relationships takes time and dedication, but the rewards, as seen in these articles, are significant.
The stories highlight the power of badminton to build community, foster personal growth, and create lasting relationships. Consider joining a local badminton club to experience the joy.
