Central Ontario Badminton Association

 

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About COBA

COBA (Central Ontario Badminton Association) is a not for profit association consisting of regional badminton clubs (competitive, recreational and training). It has its own board of directors whose mandate it is to maintain as well as enhance the sport of badminton as a collective group. COBA is also affiliated with the "OBA" (Ontario Badminton Association) and acts a liaison to that association. The OBA is also our provincial affiliate to Badminton Canada.

COBA club benefits:

- OBA certification (including tournaments)

- Access to OBA insurance.

- Access to training (especially on the Jr. level.)

- Being a part of the badminton "loop" on a regional, provincial, national and international level.

- Being part of a collective badminton voice. 

 

Contact: Russ at yourgoals @ gmail .com (please omit spaces) for more information on how your club can be a COBA member.

 

COBA Executive

 

President - Ted Feather

Secretary/Treasurer - Deb Aitken 

Marketing - Russ Le Blanc 

Athlete Development - Tom Peat

High Performance - Jolyon Thompson

Junior Rep - vacant

Membership Services - vacant

Leadership Development - vacant

 

 

 

Meet the Executive

 

The name says it all. It's a place that gives you some of the background of our COBA executive. It's a work in progress. It's hoped we will display some information concerning all of the executive members but that day isn't here just yet. We can, however, start things off with the following information.

 

COBA President - Ted Feather

I immigrated to Canada in 1968 and started to work in the Hamilton area. My introduction to badminton came through the Dundas badminton club shortly after I arrived in Canada. I was already in my thirties, and was a very slow learner. My second club was in Stoney Creek, where a nice person took pity on me, and attempted to help my play. I still could not play well, but I did get to be club president.

My next move was to Burlington, where I joined both local clubs, and with the help of a couple of parents I started the Brock Juniors, and I have been coaching juniors ever since.

In 1980 we moved to Whitby, I joined the Whitby Club, and coached the juniors at Henry St H.S., and I did manage to get to be Club President.

The junior club was cancelled when the facility hours were reduced. A group of parents persuaded me to start my own club. We opened the club with 8 juniors, and borrowed equipment. That was really the start of The Whitby Junior B. C. The club has seen many changes over the years, thanks to many generous parents who have devoted hours of their own time to assist, and to those who have made generous donations.  

Four years ago we ventured to start the Courtice J.B.C., and we have a combined membership of approximately 70 junior players.

Over the years I have assisted in coaching at many different schools, but I have never advanced past a level I coach, and I now devote most of my energy to coaching younger juniors.

As President of COBA, I would like to encourage a steady growth of badminton within our defined district. In order to run a successful junior club, it really helps to be closely linked with an adult club. This also encourages the juniors to eventually join the adult club. I would also work to promote the benefits of clubs affiliating with COBA.