HISTORY OF BADMINTON IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Badminton was first played in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1900 with the first club being established that same year.

The Badminton Association of Western Australia (BAWA) was formed in 1924, with the first Annual General Meeting held in 1925.

Affiliation with the Badminton Association of Australia occurred in 1936.

BAWA decided to build badminton-specific headquarters in 1962, the first Australian Association to take this step, and the Wembley Centre was officially opened in 1964. This stadium served the Association well being the venue for a number of national and international events, until it was sold in 2000. The BAWA then moved to new headquarters at the Kingsway International Sports Stadium, which it has leased for 35 years from the City of Wanneroo. This stadium meets the required criteria for international events

WA has played a strong part in the development of the sport in Australia. WA has been the second strongest State after Victoria for more than 20 years. From the early sixties until the late eighties no WA Senior or Junior Team finished lower than second in any national competition.

Twenty five WA players have represented Australia in international competition. Audrey Tucker won a gold medal at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986 for the mixed doubles event.

On the administrative side WA has had three elected members on the Board of Badminton Australia: They are Cedric Baxter, Don Stockins, and Judith Cousins.

Several WA members have held senior positions with national teams - Val Sullivan as Australian Junior Manager, Kay Terry Australian Junior Manager, and Audrey Tuckey the Australian Junior Coach.

WA has been well represented nationally with regards Court Officials - Greg Vellacott is currently the highest Qualified Umpire in Australia, Jane Wheatley is one of only two female International Referees, and Kelly Hoare, Don Stockins, and Peter Cooper all hold international qualifications.