The Ontario Badminton Association

 The Ontario Badminton Association was formed in February of 1925, as a non-profit amateur sport organization responsible for "organized" badminton in the province of Ontario.  The OBF is affiliated with Badminton Canada and the Badminton World Federation and is governed by a volunteer board of directors:
President Ian Bishop, and directors Jeff Sum,  Susan Mussakowski, Charles Li, Brian Tjoa, Eduardo Gregorio, Dave Kumar, and Pry Gnana.  The acting Executive Director is Val Butler.
 
The Ontario Badminton Association can be reached at:
3 Concorde Gae, Suite 209, Toronto, ON M3C 3N7
Phone: 416-426-7192
Fax: 416-426-7346
Email: iinfo@ontariobadminton.on.ca
 

You do not have to be a "member" of the Ontario Badminton Association in order to play at any of the clubs or community centres that offer badminton programs.  If you are a more serious competitor and would like to receive a ranking in Ontario and play in sanctioned tournaments you do need to belong to an affiliated club and sign up for your $25 player card either online at OBA Card Payment , or at the first tournament you enter.

If you are a coach in the Ontario Badminton Association, new for 2009 you can sign up for an online quarterly newsletter to keep you informed on current events.  There is a $10 fee and you can receive more information at: info@ontariobadminton.on.ca.
 
There is room in the Ontario Badminton Association for players of all ages and skill types.  Check your local area listings to keep up-to-date on when tournaments will be held and how to get yourself entered.  
 
The Ontario Badminton Association provides structure for the development of young athletes all the way to national and international levels.  In the Junior Development program the National Coaching Certification Program is followed.  At the regional/district level of play, various events are scheduled and can provide players with an opportunity to compete in different atmospheres, against players of different skill levels.  Junior players reaching a high level of skill can compete in the Victor Ontario Junior High Performance Circuit competing intournaments throughout the entire province.  Every other year there is the opportunity to play at the Ontario Winter Games, and annually the National junior high performance circuit event.  Every four years players have the opportunity to make the team which competes at the Canada Winter Games.  In partnership with Badminton Canada the Ontario Badminton Association in Ottawa has an elite high performance program at the Centre, which trains athletes who compete internationally.  There is also a facility intoronto which provides opportunities for selected high performance athletes.
 
 
Some badminton players that have come out of the Ontario Badminton Association to compete for Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympics include:
 

Mike Beres
 
Born:     May 13, 1973
Ht: / Wt:     5'10'' / 174 lbs

Club name: RA Centre: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Coach: Mike Bitten (Melbourne 2006 Media Guide)
Handed: Right (18/06/00)
Education: Finance, Commerce - University of Ottawa: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 
 
Andrew Dabeka
 
Born:     October 25, 1978
Ht: / Wt:     6'1'' / 176 lbs
 
Club name: RA Centre: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Coach: Mike Bitten, John Czich (Badminton Canada 23/03/07)

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