Huge badminton tourney starts

It’s so big, the Colts/Dawgs Mega Tournament really can’t get any bigger without changing venues.

The massive junior high badminton event began Friday with Grade 7’s in action, and wraps up with Saturday’s Grade 8 and 9 divisions.

All told, there are 636 kids entered from 34 schools. More than 1,000 matches will be played. Now in its sixth year, it’s an undertaking the organizers are comfortable with, even if it is controlled mayhem at times.

“It’s always been such a positive experience,” said Notre Dame teacher Neal Siedlecki, whose Dawgs cohost with the St. Mary’s Colts. “We see the same kids from one year to the next because they just keep coming back. It’s a sport any kid can play, and we’re seeing more schools enter more kids every year.”

About a dozen courts were in constant use in the giant space created between Notre Dame and the adjoining South Ridge YMCA. As soon as one match ended, Siedlecki or coorganizer Curt Moll was on the microphone to say who was up next.

Though there’s only a couple weeks left in the alwaysshort school badminton season, one of the biggest reasons for this tournament’s success is its format.

“It’s a little different format, a round robin tournament as compared to a double knockout so kids get to play more and be here a little longer,” said Siedlecki. “It’s one of the best in all of Alberta. We’ve got teams coming from all over, from Saskatchewan to Alberta. It’s just such a great tournament.”

Taber’s St. Mary’s have won the aggregate trophy three years running, even though the host teams each boast massive numbers of competitors. Siedlecki said his Dawgs number around 90.