Local Badminton Club Bucks National Trend, Sees Membership Surge
While badminton clubs across Denmark are experiencing a decline in membership, Hareskov Badminton is bucking the trend, with membership numbers rising in 2024.
Nationally, Danish badminton clubs have seen a decrease of 6,000 members in the past year. However, Hareskov Badminton, located in Hareskovby, has seen its membership increase from 169 to 202 members this year.
success attributed to youth programs and social focus
Christian Holst Svenningsen, chairman of Hareskov Badminton, credits the increase to several factors. The “miniton” program, designed to introduce young children to badminton, has been notably successful. The club has also seen a critically important increase in youth membership,with a waiting list forming for boys’ teams in particular. To accommodate the overflow, the club has added an extra hour of hall time each week, allowing those on the waiting list to play with a parent until a spot opens up.
Adult participation is also on the rise. “Our recreational teams are doing very well, and our two most established teams are actually full,” Svenningsen said. The club has added an additional training session to accommodate new adult members.
Community engagement fuels growth
The club has hosted two open house events in the past two years, which have helped increase local interest. Hareskov Badminton is currently planning for the upcoming season, with plans to launch another recreational team.
Club’s ‘DNA’ prioritizes social connections
Svenningsen attributes the club’s success to its “DNA,” which prioritizes creating a social and welcoming environment while still providing quality badminton training. “Our DNA is that we are a social club where the most significant thing is that we all thrive, but simultaneously occurring get some good badminton,” Svenningsen explains. “Several of the most talented young players may also play in another club where they are better matched, but also stay in Hareskov as of the social aspect.”
See the club in action
Hareskov Badminton will hold its club championships in week 18. Interested individuals are welcome to visit Hareskovhallen to see if the club is a good fit for them.
What specific actions could other badminton clubs take to replicate Hareskov Badminton’s success in fostering a social environment and increasing membership, particularly among youth?
Local Badminton Club Bucks National Trend, Sees Membership Surge
While badminton clubs across Denmark are experiencing a decline in membership, Hareskov Badminton is bucking the trend, with membership numbers rising in 2024.
Nationally, Danish badminton clubs have seen a decrease of 6,000 members in the past year. Though, Hareskov Badminton, located in Hareskovby, has seen its membership increase from 169 to 202 members this year.
success attributed to youth programs and social focus
christian Holst Svenningsen, chairman of hareskov Badminton, credits the increase to several factors. The “miniton” program, designed to introduce young children to badminton, has been notably accomplished.The club has also seen a critically crucial increase in youth membership,with a waiting list forming for boys’ teams in particular. To accommodate the overflow, the club has added an extra hour of hall time each week, allowing those on the waiting list to play with a parent until a spot opens up.
Adult participation is also on the rise. “Our recreational teams are doing very well, and our two most established teams are actually full,” Svenningsen said.The club has added an additional training session to accommodate new adult members.
Community engagement fuels growth
The club has hosted two open house events in the past two years, which have helped increase local interest. Hareskov Badminton is currently planning for the upcoming season, with plans to launch another recreational team.
Club’s ‘DNA’ prioritizes social connections
Svenningsen attributes the club’s success to its “DNA,” which prioritizes creating a social and welcoming environment while still providing quality badminton training. “Our DNA is that we are a social club where the most important thing is that we all thrive, but simultaneously occurring get some good badminton,” Svenningsen explains. “Several of the most talented young players may also play in another club where they are better matched, but also stay in Hareskov as of the social aspect.”
See the club in action
Hareskov Badminton will hold its club championships in week 18. Interested individuals are welcome to visit Hareskovhallen to see if the club is a good fit for them.
Hareskov Badminton Club: Q&A
- What makes Hareskov Badminton different from other clubs?
- Hareskov Badminton emphasizes a strong social atmosphere alongside badminton training.They prioritize creating a welcoming environment, which makes it a great place for both serious players and those looking for a fun, social activity. This is their core “DNA”.
- What is the “miniton” program?
- The “miniton” program is designed to introduce very young children to badminton. It’s a fun and engaging way to get kids involved in the sport early on, which has proven very successful for Hareskov Badminton’s membership growth.
- How is the club handling increased youth membership?
- The club has a waiting list for boys’ teams, but they’re addressing the increased interest by adding an extra hour of hall time each week. This allows children on the waiting list, along with their parents, to play until a spot opens up. This also boosts the social aspect of the club.
- What about adult players?
- Adult participation is also growing. Hareskov Badminton has added an extra training session to accommodate the increasing number of adult members. Their recreational teams are doing very well, and the established teams are full.
- How does the club engage with the community?
- They’ve hosted open house events that have helped increase local interest. This gives potential members a chance to experience the club’s atmosphere and learn more about what it offers.
- When are the club championships?
- The club championships will be held in week 18. Be sure to check the date on the club’s website or social media!
Inspired by Hareskov Badminton’s success? Consider visiting Hareskovhallen during week 18 to see the club championships in action, or explore how you can apply their community-focused approach to your own badminton aspirations!