The Langside Badminton League celebrated their 90th anniversary on Saturday 27 August 2022 at the Sir Craig Reedie Badminton Centre, featuring a special event dubbed ‘The Battle of Langside’.
Founded in August 1932, the Langside & District Churches Badminton League was formed to foster and encourage the game of badminton across the Langside and District churches area in the southside of Glasgow. At its peak in 1957, the league boasted a total of 52 clubs forming 7 competitive divisions. Ninety years after the formation of the league, two of those clubs — Netherlee and Shawlands Trinity (previously known as Shawlands South) — are still competing in the league.
Claire Rae, Langside’s League Convenor and a member of Old Parish Badminton Club, said “Although the league was initially for a small area in the south of Glasgow, clubs competing in our league today are also from South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire council areas.
“Across our clubs, we have a total of 134 registered players taking part in our league — from teenagers through to those in their 80s. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, welcoming, social, but ultimately competitive league, catering to a wide range of players.”
THE BATTLE OF LANGSIDE
To mark the granite anniversary, the league put on a Ryder Cup-style competition featuring two balanced teams of players of all standards from across the league. Each team, either red or blue, then competed to win points for their team to take home the Langside Cup. A total of 27 players competed on the day.
Celebrations for the 90th anniversary were attended by Keith Russell, Badminton Scotland CEO. ‘‘It was great to see some real badminton! This is exactly the type of competitions for clubs we would like to see more of – both formal and informal opportunities for players of all ages and abilities’’
Stephen Hendry, Langside’s Social Convenor and a member of Eaglesham Badminton Club, said “We’ve been planning the event for the best part of a year when we realised we would be turning 90 years old. We wanted to do something different that hasn’t been done before, but perhaps make it a regular feature on our tournament calendar.
“We’d like to thank Badminton Scotland staff for supporting us with this event, and delighted that Keith was able to join us for the celebrations.”
After 5 hours of play, 27 matches and 59 sets, the Langside Blues were crowned this year’s winners, with team captain Emma Sherry collecting the Langside Cup. Emma joined the league in 2009 and plays for Shawlands Trinity. She said, “For me, what makes Langside special is the mix of competitive badminton, partnered with the social element it brings. I’ve made good friends through the league – many of them will be attending my wedding next year! But the friendly competition against my pals, old and new, keeps me coming back year after year.”
The Battle of Langside will return once again in August 2023, open to all registered players of the Langside League.
MORE INFORMATION
Langside Badminton League continues to welcome new clubs that wish to compete within the southside of Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire areas. To register to take part in the league, email contact@langsidebadminton.co.uk or visit the website www.langsidebadminton.co.uk
If you are looking to join one of the clubs in the league, visit www.langsidebadminton.co.uk/our-clubs for more information. As a competitive league, these clubs are suited for regular players who wish to compete in competitions and tournaments.
