Montval-sur-Loir, France – The COC Badminton club is preparing to host its sixth annual Subpar à Bercé night tournament on March 20th, bringing a competitive yet welcoming atmosphere to the Orion gymnasium. The event, a mixed doubles competition, has already attracted 72 registered participants, signaling continued growth in popularity for this local sporting fixture.
The tournament builds on the success of previous COC Badminton events, including “Mon bad’Loir” and a recent youth trophy competition held in January. “Following the success of Mon bad’Loir and the youth trophy, we decided to organize Bad à Bercé again,” explained Charles Hubert, president of COC Badminton. The club is clearly focused on fostering a vibrant badminton community within the Sarthe department and beyond.
Bad à Bercé is open to players ranging from non-competitive to regional level 4, ensuring a diverse field of competitors. Participants will be traveling from Sarthe, Indre-et-Loire, and Maine-et-Loire to compete. Hubert expressed hope for a strong spectator turnout, stating, “We hope to have spectators to encourage our teams and promote badminton.”
The event isn’t a one-off for the club, either. COC Badminton has another event planned for April 17th: “speedy bad,” a double-mixed competition in the non-competitive to departmental 7 categories. This unique discipline, also known as crossminton, draws inspiration from badminton, tennis, and squash, but is played without a net. It offers a different, fast-paced experience for players and spectators alike.
The Bad à Bercé tournament will run from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM at the Salle Orion in Montval-sur-Loir. Admission is free, and a catering service will be available on-site for attendees. This accessibility is a key component of the club’s strategy to grow the sport and engage the local community.
COC Badminton has a strong track record of success, having finished in 5th place out of 18 clubs at last season’s departmental tournament. The club boasts 17 dedicated members on its executive committee, a structure Hubert credits for its efficiency and positive results. “We have a very good team, everyone knows what to do and it works very well,” he said.
The club’s commitment to youth development is also evident. In January, COC Badminton hosted the Sarthe departmental youth trophy, welcoming around 100 young players aged 12 to 15. The competition featured boys’ doubles, girls’ doubles, and mixed doubles matches, providing valuable experience for aspiring badminton athletes. The club had 16 of its own young players participating in that event.
For those interested in learning more about the Relais de St Hubert restaurant, located near Marigné-Laillé in the Sarthe, it offers traditional and gourmet cuisine and is located in the Forêt de Bercé. Restaurant Le Relais De St Hubert
Looking ahead, the next confirmed event for COC Badminton is the “speedy bad” tournament on April 17th. Fans and players can stay updated on the club’s activities through their official channels. The club’s continued dedication to providing accessible and engaging badminton experiences promises a bright future for the sport in the Sarthe department.
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