Rixensart, Belgium – A local badminton club recently opened its annual youth tournament to players as young as nine years old, providing a valuable competitive opportunity for a developing generation of athletes. The club, which utilizes facilities in both Rixensart and Bierges, continues to foster a growing interest in the sport within the community.
Expanding Access to Mini-Badminton
The badminton club operates out of two venues: the sports complex in Rixensart and the gymnasium at Le Verseau school in Bierges. According to club leadership, all training sessions for the competition-focused group, known as the “Pôle compétition,” and interclub matches are held in Bierges. Le Verseau, established in 1996, is an international school offering education from kindergarten through secondary levels.
What sets this tournament apart is its inclusion of the U9 age category. “Mini-disappointing,” as it’s known, is played on a reduced court with a lowered net, adapting the game to suit younger players. This early introduction to competitive play is proving popular, with the club seeing increased participation at this level.
Three Young Players Compete
The annual youth tournament took place last Saturday, and featured three players in the U9 division. Noé Dubois, the coach of the club’s mini-bad section, explained that nine children are currently registered in that age group. “They train on Sunday mornings in Rixensart. There aren’t many tournaments for this age category. We participated in a tournament in Enghien,” Dubois said. “We had three entries in U9 for our tournament: two players from Rixensart, Antoine Guillaume and Victor Mignon.”
Victor Mignon, at seven and a half years old, is in his second season with the club. He trains with his older brother and father on Sunday mornings in Rixensart and is preparing to move into the pre-competition group. The club offers two distinct mini-bad sections: one focused on general skill development and another geared towards more competitive players, with the latter group receiving two training sessions per week.
During Saturday’s tournament, Victor Mignon demonstrated promising potential. Antoine Guillaume, who joined the club in September 2025, was competing in his first tournament. Dubois highlighted the potential of these young players, stating, “Antoine and Victor, along with Nicolas Hallez, are the most promising players in our mini-bad section.”
For those unfamiliar with the structure of Belgian badminton, clubs often operate within a network of non-denominational subsidized independent schools, offering opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills alongside their academic pursuits. International School Le Verseau – ELCE, located in Bierges, approximately 25 kilometers from Brussels, provides one such environment.
The emphasis on early development and accessible competition, as demonstrated by the Rixensart club’s U9 initiative, is crucial for nurturing the next generation of badminton talent. Providing opportunities for young players to experience the thrill of competition, even at a modified level, can foster a lifelong love of the sport.
The club’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for young athletes is evident in its dual-venue approach and the dedication of coaches like Noé Dubois. By offering both recreational and competitive pathways, the club aims to cater to a diverse range of skill levels and aspirations.
Looking ahead, the Rixensart badminton club will continue its training sessions and participation in interclub matches. The success of the U9 tournament suggests a bright future for the sport in the region, with a growing number of young players eager to accept to the court.
The next scheduled event for the club is the continuation of training sessions on Sunday mornings in Rixensart. Fans and supporters can stay updated on the club’s activities through local sports news outlets and the club’s official communication channels.
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