Fans who take in the action on the courts at the North Central Junior, Open and Masters Badminton tournament this weekend will also see something even more unique - wheelchair badminton.
After being well-received when the para-singles event was introduced to northern B.C. residents in November, it returns again, on a wooden court alongside six other portable courts at the Northern Sport Centre.
"Anybody who wants to try it out is more than welcome," said tournament organizing committee chair Lisa Davison. "We have five entries so far in a variety of ages and they'll play Saturday morning."
For this tournament, para-singles players can be any age, able-bodied or not. The sport chairs are state-of-the-art, gliding smoothly and turning on a pivot, yet moving back and forth while trying to swing a racquet with one arm is extremely challenging.
The sport is new to Canada, but is recognized internationally. It's progressed to the second stage of application for inclusion into the 2020 Paralympic Games.
Besides para-singles, the three-day tourney will feature players from the ages of six to 86 compete in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, parent-child in novice and competitive events.
The tourney also doubles as a test event for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Volunteers are still needed as officials for this weekend as well as in 2015.
"We need about 100 lines people for each court [seven courts in total] which is a lot of manpower," said Davison. "They don't have to have badminton experience. They will get on-court experience and we'll have smaller events throughout the rest of the year for them to get trained on.
"We're accepting volunteers for 2015 and if people aren't sure about it, they can come and check it out."
This tournament is more regional in nature, as between 80 to 100 players from Terrace, Fort St. John, Edmonton and Grande Prairie are competing.
Six portable courts, comprised of a series of mats, on loan from Badminton B.C. will be set up in the Northern Sport Centre, as well as a wooden court for the para-singles events Friday morning.
Divisions include U12, U14, U16, U19, Open 19-plus and over, to 40 and over, 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, and 80 and over categories.
Parents can even play with their children, even their six year-olds.
Davison attended the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax and knows what's in store for 2015. This test event will go a long way in ensuring everything is ready and what needs to be done a year from now.
"This is our one and only test event before 2015," she said. "While it's a more regional competition, people won't have seen this level before."
Anyone who attends the event can enter to win one of two adult memberships at the Northern Sport Centre valued at $600. The NSC donated the memberships.
Volunteers who want to assist with the event can email Davison, [email protected]
