For many, badminton begins as a weekend hobby or a friendly game at the local rec centre. But for some, it becomes a lifelong companion, one that keeps them moving, thinking, and connecting with others well into their senior years. Across Western Australia, older members of our badminton community are proving that the sport is not just about competition, but about wellbeing, resilience, and joy.
Research has shown that racquet sports can add as much as 10 years to your life, improving heart health, balance, and cognitive sharpness. But numbers only tell part of the story. The true impact is best seen on court, where WA’s senior players continue to lace up their shoes, pick up a racquet, and play with the same enthusiasm as ever.
Take Tina Nielsen, for example. She has been a fixture in WA badminton for more than 40 years, and she credits the sport with helping her through some of life’s toughest challenges. After surgery on her hand threatened to end her playing days, she simply adapted, teaching herself to play with her other hand. “My badminton racquet has kept me alive and young,” she says with a smile.
Her fondest memories aren’t tied to medals or titles, but to moments of connection. She recalls one young man she played with, who could not speak. Instead, he would write on a small slate: “Tina, would you play with me?” He would wait eagerly at the door for his turn to share a game with her. “It’s those moments,” Tina reflects, “that shows why I’ll always come back to the court.”
Then there’s Lutz Elber, who only discovered badminton after retiring at 72. Now 86, he still plays three times a week with the Ocean Reef Senior Social Badminton Club, proof that it’s never too late to fall in love with the game. “Use it or lose it,” he says. “Badminton makes sure my body and mind don’t slack off. To play reasonably well requires both fitness and alertness. It does me good in every way.”
For Lutz, success isn’t measured in scores but in laughter, movement, and the friendships forged across the net. “It’s about staying sharp, keeping active, and sharing time with friends who make every game worthwhile,” he says.
Together, Tina and Lutz embody what badminton truly offers: not just rallies and points, but resilience, friendship, and fulfilment at every stage of life. Their stories remind us that whether you’re a lifelong player, someone returning after time away, or a newcomer discovering the sport later in life, badminton is truly a sport for everyone, and a sport for life.
Click the link to read the article about racquet sports adding to your life: http://bit.ly/47ksJZI
