History of the Game

  • Invented in India in a version called poona.
  • British army officers learned the game about 1870.
  • In 1873 the duke of Beaufort introduced the sport at his country estate, Badminton, from which the game derives its name.
  • In 1887 the Bath Badminton Club was formed; it was replaced in 1893 by the Badminton Association of England, which codified the rules that still govern competitive play.
  • Military personnel introduce badminton to Vancouver in the late 1890’s.
  • Badminton Canada was founded in 1921, with the first national championships being held in Montreal.
  • Canada is one of nine founding members of the International Badminton Federation in 1934.
  • Badminton is included in the 1972 Munich Olympics as a demonstration sport.
  • Jamie Paulson of Calgary wins gold medal in men’s singles at 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • In 1992, six Canadians contest badminton as a full medal sport at Barcelona Olympics.