Club history

Ranges Badminton Club had its humble beginnings in 1968 in the small Adelaide hills town of Uraidla. It was founded by Joan and Mike Clayton, who had recently emigrated from England.

The Uraidla Institure Hall had badminton lines marked on the floor which prompted the Claytons into hiring the hall on a Friday evening. Joan recalls playing on “one very slippery court, starting with a few friends and work colleagues”.

The new club entered its first team in the SABA Country Carnival in 1969. An informal local competition with Birdwood, Gumeracha and Clovercrest was an ongoing event that eventually prompted the club to enter a team at Badminton SA headquarters at Lockleys. The club was considered to be in a country region at the time so it was encouraged to play by offering discounts on regular playing fees. This didn't last long as Salisbury was also considered to be a country region and the number of players from that area was increasing at a rapid rate. The metropolitan region was enlarged and the Uraidla Club, as it was known then, fell into it.

By the end of the 70s the club, which only had one court, had well and truly outgrown the venue. At the time Heathfield High School was raising funds to build a new gymnasium. Discussions were held with the school and in 1980 when the new gym opened, Uraidla Badminton Club moved in. The move forced a couple of changes in the club. A constitution was drawn up, registration for an incorporation was lodged and the name was changed to Ranges Badminton Club Inc. to reflect the area it now encompassed. The club flourished in its new surrounds and more central location. More teams were entered in the Association's competitions and weekend tournaments in country areas were often frequented.

Our players now come from all over the Mitcham Hills, Mt Lofty Ranges and Adelaide Plains and we have a large group of enthusiastic juniors learning what makes badminton one of the world’s most popular sports.