Peter and Henk from the DropOuts (Photo: Gerry van Bakel).
The Leiden region has dozens of sports clubs. One more famous than the other, but they all contribute to the health and social well-being of their members. Sleutelstad Sport puts an association in the spotlight every week. This week’s association is the Leiden badminton club DropOuts.
“High shuttles are so wonderful. I need that every now and then on Saturday mornings to take a break from the week.” And so Henk is in the sports hall of Vlietland College almost every Saturday morning to play badminton with the DropOuts. Like Peter, he has been a member of the club for almost twenty years, which has now existed for 35 years. Last Monday they visited Sleutelstad Sport to talk about their association.
Peter and Henk from the DropOuts are guests at Sleutelstad Sport.
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Although, association? Actually that is incorrect. “As an association you must have articles of association and be registered with the Chamber of Commerce. We are more of a free-spirited mess,” Peter explains. The DropOuts originated as a group of friends, consisting of badminton players who did not feel like the obligations of their own club. “So we are dropouts from other associations,” Henk explains. “We are a close group of friends. Members are added and members leave, but we remain a committed group.”
This close-knit group is certainly open to new members, but it has to click. “You have to fit within the group, and the group has to suit you,” says Henk. “You can come and play for a month with a loan racket, and then we can get used to each other and see if we click.” The DropOuts now have about thirty members.
No camping badminton
No rules, no official matches (except for three self-organized tournaments) and no training: fun for the game and the social aspect are central to this club. That does not mean that things will be quiet during the games played on Saturday. “It’s not camping badminton,” Henk emphasizes. “Men and women of varying levels play with and against each other, and it is done with great enthusiasm,” Peter adds. “We have people who play competitions for another association as well as recreational players, but no distinction is actually made. You walk to a field, three players join us, regardless of level, and then it’s twenty minutes of solid doubles.”
“It is also an honor to send a better player in the wrong direction,” says Henk. “That feels nice.”
Peter and Henk from the DropOuts are guests at Sleutelstad Sport (part 2).
After playing there will be coffee and cake – the price of which is included in the membership fee. “We also think it’s very important to drink coffee together afterwards,” says Peter. There is no discussion about the battles in the badminton hall, says Henk: “Fuds and disappointments are left behind in the room, we talk about other things over coffee.”
Anyone interested in participating in the DropOuts is welcome every Saturday morning. More information can be found on their website site.
Sleutelstad Sport can be listened to and seen every Monday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on ‘Unity with the news from Sleutelstad’.
Leiden Sports Key City Sports Association of the week
2024-02-23 09:53:08
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