Rock up badminton bringing the Ballarat community together
Two colleagues, one shared passion
The idea for the club began around 2015 with Truong and his colleague Tam Tran's personal interest in badminton.
They would come to the gym whenever they could find an available court and have a hit together. During a staff event, they met another colleague who shared their passion for badminton and had similar ideas about establishing a club.
“It started very simply. Tam and I just enjoyed playing badminton and wanted to have somewhere we could play,” Truong said. “Then we realised there were a lot of other people who wanted the same thing, and the club grew very quickly.”
Soon, the club gained popularity, running two sessions a week for several years. At its peak, 50 to 60 people regularly attended, with players on the courts and others waiting for their turn.
Keeping the rallies going
The club has not always had an easy run. When support for the group later declined, it came close to closing. UniSports staff member Eammon Gill generously offered court space, allowing Truong and Tam to volunteer their time and keep the club running for students, staff and members of the local community. Since then, the group has continued to meet every Friday.
“There were times when we thought we might have to stop because of our own commitments and the lack of support,” Truong said.
“But we knew people valued having this opportunity, so Tam and I decided to keep volunteering and do what we could to make sure the club continued.”
The badminton group was also the only University club to continue operating during COVID-19 pandemic, running sessions whenever restrictions allowed and following all University safety requirements.
Connecting people through sport
For Truong and Tam, the club has always been about more than sport. They wanted to create an opportunity for students and staff to have fun after work and study, stay active and build connections outside their usual circles.
“It is not really just about badminton,” Truong said. “People come here to play, but they also come to talk, meet people and have some fun. We have seen how that can help people feel more connected and less isolated.”
Over the years, they have seen the positive impact the club can have on wellbeing, confidence and a sense of belonging.
A decade of dedication
For more than a decade, Truong and Tam have continued to give their time voluntarily to keep the club running. Until late last year, Tam led communications with UniSports and coordinated club activities. Since the beginning of 2026, Truong has taken on the primary organising role.
While personal commitments have sometimes made it difficult to continue, the pair's commitment to the community they created has kept the Friday sessions alive.
“It has been a long time — around 10 or 11 years now,” Truong said. “There have definitely been times when it would have been easier to walk away, but when you see people coming back every week and enjoying themselves, it makes you want to keep going.”
The club has maintained a strong and loyal group of participants. Today, between 20 and 30 people typically attend each Friday. All equipment including shuttlecocks and racquets are available for anyone who would like to borrow on the day.
“We don't need a huge number of people for the club to be worthwhile,” Truong said. “If 20 or 30 people come along, enjoy themselves and leave feeling good, then we have achieved what we set out to do.”
Come and have a hit
Badminton club welcomes everyone from Federation University students and staff to local community members, regardless of their experience or skill level.
“You don't have to be a great badminton player to join us,” Truong said. “The most important thing is that people come along, have a go and enjoy being part of the group.”
Whether you're an experienced player or simply looking for a way to get active and meet people, the Friday sessions offer a relaxed opportunity to get involved.
Come along on Fridays from 6-8 pm in Building P, Room 210 at the Mt Helen campus.