CTO’70 Duivendrecht marks fifty years of community badminton this week, celebrating a half-century since the sport first took root in the local Dorpshuis on October 13, 1976. What began as a multi-sport club section has evolved into an independent, financially healthy association that still sets up its nets every Wednesday night.
The milestone arrives as current board members Piet Post, Eddy Rous, and Marie-Louise Post-Braam look back on fifty years of local play. Founded originally as part of the broader CTO’70 omnivereniging—which featured football, handball, and volleyball—the badminton branch operated under the umbrella of the main club for decades before choosing a path toward administrative independence in 2016.
From Multi-Sport Root to Independent Wednesday Club
The push for autonomy came from a desire for greater self-determination among the players, according to club leadership. Yet the core rhythm of the organization remained untouched. The Wednesday night club session has stayed constant as the group’s primary weekly gathering since the 1970s.
Each of the current leaders found their way to the courts through distinct personal connections. Marie-Louise joined via the accessible “Badminton Fit” program, later marrying Piet after a prompt prediction made during a club outing over a decade ago. Eddy arrived in the wake of his daughter’s athletic transition; when her youth section in Diemen disbanded, she joined the active youth branch at CTO’70 Duivendrecht, prompting her father to pick up a racket alongside her. Piet transferred from another club where playing time was scarce, finding an open court and a welcoming environment in Duivendrecht.
CTO’70 Membership Drops to 35 Adult Players
While competitive matches were part of the club’s history, CTO’70 has firmly maintained its identity as a recreational association. Hall capacity limitations restrict intensive training schedules, and the club’s youth branch eventually dissolved as younger players gravitated toward other interests and higher-level pathways proved difficult to sustain locally.
Membership numbers reflect these shifts. From a peak of 130 participants, the roster currently sits at 35 adult members. Most reside directly in Duivendrecht, though players travel from Diemen and the Venserpolder, alongside a recent influx of international expats. To encourage new participation, the association offers racket loans and invites prospective players to join two sessions free of charge.
Club Members Collaborate with Duivendrecht Municipal Officials
Community ties extend beyond the court boundaries. Members gather annually for a Christmas meetup and a culinary month in June, while the club collaborates with other local CTO’70 organizations to advocate for improved municipal sports facilities in Duivendrecht. Contacts with local government officials remain active, with plans to welcome alderman Maarten de Groot during the upcoming anniversary events.
Two original members, Joop and John, have maintained their affiliation since the club’s inception, serving in various administrative roles across five decades. They will join nearly one hundred current and former members for the official festivities.
The anniversary program kicks off on Wednesday, October 14, the club’s traditional weekly night, featuring food and drinks for members. A formal reception for members, alumni, and invited guests follows on Sunday, October 18, highlighted by an alumnus traveling specifically from Scotland to attend.
Looking Toward Summer Tournaments and Future Play
Looking ahead, leadership notes that fresh ideas continue to bubble up from the membership base. Proposals for the upcoming seasons include organizing a summer badminton tournament on a beach volleyball court paired with a post-match barbecue.
As CTO’70 Duivendrecht enters its next fifty years, the association continues to string its nets in Duivendrecht every Wednesday evening, preserving a local sports tradition that began in the autumn of 1976.
Worth a look
