Racquet Network News & Info

Badminton Closing the Gap

Brent Johner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:29 +0000

[CALGARY] While tennis continues to be the first choice of Racquet Network members, badminton appears to be closing the gap on squash as the overall second favourite. A snapshot of player preferences taken in early November 2009 indicates that tennis is still King of Racquet Network with 54 per cent of members indicating that they are [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Do-It-Yourself Badminton

Brent Johner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:18 +0000

Dan from Canada writes: “I joined Racquet Network to find badminton players. I don’t want to join a league, but I want to play singles badminton. How do I do that?” We’re glad you asked, Dan. You are currently registered as a Level 1 – Do It Yourself player. This means that you have opted to [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Gift Ideas for Squash Players

Brent Johner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:55 +0000

Looking for the perfect gift for the squash player on your list? Whether that squash player is a dear family member or a co-worker from the office gift exchange, here are my top five recommendations for this holiday season. $10.00 or less Anti-Fog Wipes This is a must-have item for every squash player who wears goggles (and every [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

How to Improve Racquet Network

Brent Johner — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:02:34 +0000

Every week, I get email from a few of the 1800+ members of our network asking us to improve various things on our website. The most popular suggestions have to do with improving our ladder, our search engine or our scorekeeping system. Ideally, we would be able to institute every upgrade and every tweak that everybody [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

45-Minute Solo Squash-Based Workout

Brent Johner — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:37:49 +0000

This is a squash-based workout that will improve your fitness and squash skills at the same time. Please consult a physician before beginning this or any other fitness program. When you are done, you should be red-faced but not ruby-faced. Your skin temperature should be elevated but you should not be burning up. Your respiratory rate [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Where are the Women-Only Programs?

Brent Johner — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:02:16 +0000

Hey everybody. I’m a little frustrated. I got another one of THOSE letters last week. It was an email from a member of our network who was complaining that we have too few options for women who want to play exclusively with other women. “Why is everything co-ed?” complained the long time member. “Why don’t we [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Box League Benefits

Brent Johner — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:57:22 +0000

Racquet Network’s player community is divided into two major groups that have very little in common with each other. One group consists of people who joined the network and completed their profile but have never since participated in any network activities. The other group — the heart and soul of Racquet Network — is made [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

League Players Save 70%

Brent Johner — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:59:35 +0000

Great news, players. Registered league players now have unlimited access to Racquet Network challenge leagues. Previously, players had to pay separate fees for every league they joined. So, for example, players who wanted to play tennis all summer and badminton or squash all winter were required to pay combined fees of nearly $100.00. That all changed on October [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Private Squash Lessons — How Much?

Brent Johner — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:37 +0000

There is a mistaken belief out there that every certified squash pro will jump at the opportunity to teach a private squash lesson. As a result, many would-be customers are baffled when they talk to squash pros and learn that private lessons A) are expensive and B) cannot generally be booked during peak times of [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Semi-Private Squash Lessons

Brent Johner — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:00:37 +0000

While group lessons are best for beginners who are learning to play squash for the very first time, semi-private lessons are best for intermediate squash players. With a smaller number of participants (two or three compared to five or six for group lessons), intermediate players get more one-on-one time with the coach in semi-private squash [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

How Do I “Get Things Going”?

Brent Johner — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:01:50 +0000

Network players often email me asking “How do I get things going for my network?” Regardless of the location or the sport, my answer is always the same: start small. Step 1 – Use our search tool to create a list of players in your area. Step 2 – Start contacting these players one by one. Figure out [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Group Squash Lessons 101

Brent Johner — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:51 +0000

Beginners love group lessons because well-run group lessons are a lot of fun. Unlike private lessons in which one player works by herself with a squash instructor, group lessons are a social experience. Therefore, beginners not only get an opportunity to learn to play squash, they also have an opportunity to meet other squash players. SQUASH [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Speed Badminton Easy Court Set Up

Brent Johner — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:01:17 +0000

One of the great advantages to speed badminton is the low buy-in cost. All players need to get started in the sport are racquets, speeders and a court. In many racquet sports, the cost of the court is a severely limiting factor. Regulation indoor badminton courts with hardwood floors, for example, cost at least $5,000 per [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Registered League Player FAQ

Brent Johner — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:08:57 +0000

Great news players!! You asked Racquet Network to create an easy way for frequent players to indentify other frequent players and we’ve done it. Frequent players can now register and get more opportunities to meet and compete than ever before. Forget about searching through the database and reading dozens of player profiles. Forget about spray-and-pray emails. Registered [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

How to Join a Challenge League

Brent Johner — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:20:53 +0000

Racquet Network’s challenge leagues are open to players who are registered at Level 2 – Connect with Active Players. Registered league players may follow the instructions below and join as many challenge leagues as they want for free. STEP 1 – Click on UPDATE YOUR PROFILE STEP 2 – Immediately above your profile photo, you will see a [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Kingsboro Badminton Club

Brent Johner — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:06:04 +0000

Club type: public drop-in Level of play: recreational, all levels Hours: 7:30-10:00 pm Days: Most Wednesday and Friday evenings (see full schedule below) Drop-in price: $6.00 (full season passes also available for $145.00) Bring: badminton racquet and indoor court shoes Locations: Henry Wisewood High School, Calgary, AB Lord Beaverbrook High School, Calgary, AB St. Mary’s High School, Calgary, AB Le Roi Daniels Elementary School, Calgary, [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Competitive Speed Badminton has Future

Brent Johner — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:33:31 +0000

Earlier this month, I took a late season break from tennis in order to recharge my batteries and heal some nagging little aches and pains. While I was off, long-time Racquet Network member and registered league player, Dragan Lemez, talked me into spending some time trying out the new game of speed badminton. Since the game is [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Squash Lessons for 5-year-olds?

Brent Johner — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:00:51 +0000

I get a lot of calls and emails at this time of year from parents who are looking to enrol their 5 and 6-year-olds in squash lessons. Be very careful, I warn all of them. There are people out there who will take your money and give your kids squash lessons even if they probably shouldn’t. Most [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Semi-private Badminton Lessons

Brent Johner — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:00:03 +0000

While group lessons are best for beginners who are learning to play badminton for the very first time, semi-private lessons are best for intermediate badminton players. With a smaller number of participants (two or three compared to five or six for group lessons), intermediate players get more one-on-one time with the coach in semi-private badminton [...] Related posts on Racquet Network:

Private Badminton Lessons — Right for Me?

Brent Johner — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:00:12 +0000

There is a mistaken belief out there that every certified badminton instructor will jump at the opportunity to teach a private badminton lesson. As a result, many would-be customers are baffled when they talk to badminton instructors and learn that private lessons A) are expensive and B) cannot generally be booked during peak times of [...] Related posts on Racquet Network: