Western Cup registration opens

The long awaited Western Cup badminton registration will open at noon on February 1. The return of badminton tournament at the 41st Western Cup edition will see some exciting changes to the tournament format. In addition to the regular tournament division that focuses on all serious matches, there will be a “Funament” division that will be a fun-first event for newer players.

The full day tournament will take place Easter Saturday on April 19, at Western Canada High School. Visit the Western Cup site for tournament information and registration links.

Did you know?

Ugandan badminton player Megan Nankabirwa and her partner had successfully sought asylum in the United Kingdom after 18 months of appeal with the Home Office. Having just returned home from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the badminton star was forced to flee after she and her partner Lydia Nabukenya were caught together.

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Mosaic Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

New Wednesday Drop-in at King George

Due to popular demand in recent weeks, we have secured a new venue on Wednesdays. Our new Wednesday drop-in at King George School will give you another option to play. Or if you are really into it, a second night in the week to get your badminton on. Depending on the response we may make it part of our programme in the long term.

New Pricing schedule in effect

Our new pricing schedule is in effect as of January 1. Non-member drop-in will be at $15. Prices for member drop-in and prepaid packages remain unchanged. Only members may purchase prepaid packages, and annual membership is $5. Learn about our membership here.

If you are a member, you’ll get an email soon with a link to our exclusive member’s shop to purchase prepaid packages online.

Did you know?

In early December, the Federation of Gay Games has shortlisted three candidate cities of the 2030 Gay Games. While Canadian cities Edmonton and Toronto lost their bids to host the games, Auckland; Denver; and Perth will move on to the final round of votes in October 2025.

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Mosaic Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

You are invited!

Join us for a Christmas social and get into the holiday mood. Plus-one, spouse, exes, one-night-stands, FWBs, etc are welcomed.

WHEN
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
6:00pm to 9:30pm

WHERE
Georges P. Vanier School (Home Economics room and gym)
509 32 Avenue NE
Calgary, AB

WHAT
– Appetizers and mains will be provided
– Non-Alcoholic beverages will be provided
– Bring a snack or dessert item to share
– Food served at 6:00pm
– Gym opens between 7:00-9:00pm for optional badminton (regular drop-in fee applies, or use your passes)
– You and your guests may come just for the festivities, which is free. You only have to pay if you are playing badminton
– Bring a wrapped gift of about $20 in value for gift exchange game at 8:30pm (optional)
– Random Surprises!?
– Bring a board game / party game
– GOOD TIMES

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
– Register to become a Mosaic Badminton Club member and receive one complimentary session.
– Annual membership is $5

Minors are welcomed at the discretion of the parent/guardian due to proximity to adult theme and language.

RSVP on facebook or comment on this post for food order planning.

Mosaic Badminton Club Membership

A successful non-profit society such as Mosaic Badminton Club is built by members like you. Becoming a member is more than just joining us on the courts. We encourage community oriented individuals to become a registered members of our club.  Membership continues to be completely optional to participate in our events. Annual membership term is from 1 September to 31 August. Our annual membership fee is nominally priced at $5.

Members will continue to be able to purchase prepaid packages and drop-ins as currently priced. Non-members will only be able to purchase single drop-in session at $15.

Our new fee structure will take effect on January 1, 2025. All passes purchased before that date will remain valid until the end of May.

We will start to accept new members at the Christmas Party on December 17. As our one-time special holiday offer, all new member registration at the Christmas Party will receive one complimentary session.

Christmas Party

Speaking of Christmas Party, watch for a separate invite email to get all the details. For now, circle December 17 on your calendar, which is the same date as our regular drop-in at Georges Vanier.

Did you know?

Danish badminton duo Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl publically announced their off-court relationship back in 2017. The pair won silver in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and they retired in 2019 after welcoming a daughter into their family.

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Mosaic Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

Mosaic Badminton Club

If you’ve missed our last newsletter, we are excited to announce that our club is officially incorporated as a non-profit society. This has been a long journey in the making for over a decade. Read more about our announcement here.

To usher in this new era, our regular calendar release is now reformatted to bring you a monthly dose of Bad News. Enjoy!

Venue Changes

Due to school availability, we are bounced among three different venues with different start times this month. We apologize for the inconvenience. At St. Alphonsus on November 13, we will experiment with a three-hour format. This will allow more play time and flexibility to attend.

Did you know?

Kirsty Gilmour of Team Great Britain was the only out LGBTQ badminton player at the Paris Olympics this year. The Commonwealth Games and European Games medallist made her third Olympic appearance at age 30.

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Mosaic Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

Good News Everyone!

As of 22 October 2024, our club is now known as, and operating as Mosaic Badminton Club, registered as a non-profit society within our province.

Since 2014, our club has been operating independently, so it’s long overdue that we establish our own brand and identity with the incorporation. The official status will provide the accountable framework for us to govern and manage the club, and allow interested members to become involved. This will also allow us greater access  to funding opportunities that will be used to expand our programming.

We continue to build on the legacy left by those before us (Apollo Friends in Sports, Absolutely Smashing!, and Apollo Badminton) to continue serving the community of LGBTQ+ badminton players and friends in Calgary. Our new name reflects the pluralistic and diverse backgrounds and identities with which our participants associate, and united in our common interest of the sport.

All orange “Apollo Badminton” punch passes will remain valid. In fact we’ll continue to issue them until newly designed passes become available.

Mosaic Badminton Club

We’ll have a special Halloween edition on 29 October. Wear a costume, special accessories, and/or make-up and receive $2 off / rebate on admission. We’ll have a costume contest with winners chosen by you.  We’ll also have treats for everyone as well.

A special reminder that we are playing at Stanley Jones School (950 6 STREET NE) starting at 8:15pm. Entrance is through the doors NW corner of the building. We are officially not suppose to prop the parking lot door open so it may be locked when you arrive. We’ll have a number posted in case you need to call. Please use only the washrooms across from the gym as change facility.

Happy Halloween!

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Apollo Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

Be a Founding member!

We are in the process of formally incorporating this club and we need founding members for the application paperwork. There is minimal need for involvement for now, but we will be determining appropriate member benefits. Once the club is registered we’ll be opening membership to everyone. If you are a community-oriented individual and interested to be a part of this next exciting chapter, please email us or speak to James directly.

Planning ahead?

Did you know you can subscribe our calendar and look months ahead? Venues are booked months in advance. Go to our Calendar page and click on +GoogleCalendar to add Apollo Badminton dates on your calendar. You will receive reminder alert the day before the event.

Hope you are all having a great summer and staying active! We’ve been working behind the scenes this summer on some important changes to our club starting this season. We’ll make the announcement once everything is confirmed.

But first, a new season awaits us this fall as we resume our Tuesday’s badminton drop-in sessions on 10 September. We play at our usual venue at Georges Vanier School at 7pm. The September calendar will be released the first week of the month.

Until then, happy smashing!

Apollo Badminton