Kortrijk duo Bert and Jade are aiming for the eighth final at the BK in their own city: “The quarterfinals? We are very unlucky with the draw.”

The BK badminton is programmed in Kortrijk this year. For the first time, Lebad is allowed to organize the Belgian championship. It itself also performs with a few players, such as Bert Vandorpe (27) and Jade Blondeel (23), who have been a duo for many years. Jade Blondeel from Kortrijk works as a service designer in Ghent at design and research agency KnightMoves, and has been playing badminton since she was six. “I was introduced to it by my two bigger brothers Senne and Kobe. I just wanted to test, and after going with them a few times, I found I was pretty good.” It went so well that Jade was able to gradually level up. “I was able to train with the provincial team from the age of nine, after which I reached the Flemish level. In terms of international work, I have played tournaments in the Netherlands and France. And I completed my fifth and sixth secondary education in the top sports school in Antwerp. Yes, I was really professional in my sport, until I had to go higher. Then I chose my studies.” Storage games Bert Vandorpe, tech consultant at Vandelanotte Kortrijk, was also born with a love for badminton. After all, his father Chris Vandorpe is chairman of Lebad “And so it also went through my family. My aunt had just made a new friend when I was little, a badminton trainer. He brought a badminton racket as a gift for my birthday, after which we played some serve games. I liked that so much that I immediately joined the club. After that, I systematically rose to national level, but unfortunately selections at Flemish level or top sport level were just not for me.”190 players There are 40 recreational players affiliated with Lebad, while more than 80 youth players are in action at the same time. In competition, from the fifth provincial over the Flemish League to the first national, Lebad has about 70 players. These compete in an individual men’s, women’s and mixed competition. Quite a sandwich, if you know that most players are active both individually and in doubles. “I’m a team captain, so I know better than anyone what it takes in terms of organization” (laughs). But the association ensures that there is no overlap in the matches. In terms of setup, not much has changed. For example, I play individually and doubles with Gert-Jan Devaere, a player from Ghent. And I play doubles with Jade. Jade then doubles again for the ladies with Lotte Derudder.”“If we win the first two rounds, which is possible, we will play in the quarterfinals against the first seed and three-time Belgian champion.”“We know each other well because of our teamwork”, says Jade . “On the day of the tournament it depends on fatigue. In one day you play against 8 teams in the first national. Then you have to be fresh” (laughs). Bert and Jade have been a duo for six years. “I know she’s strong defensively. She can counter smashes and at the net she is really good. And that’s the tactic in mixed doubles. The lord has more power.” “That’s right,” says Jade. “Bert is a big guy with a lot of scope. If I can’t get somewhere, Bert is there ninety percent of the time. He is also very adept at finishing the point.” The Belgian championship is a first The Belgian championship is coming to Kortrijk for the first time. This is a first for Jade and Bert, and in addition to the enthusiasm, there is also a certain stress. “It’s nice. It’s actually a pity that we only knew since last week that a lot of people could come, otherwise we would have promoted a bit more.” . It is heartwarming to see how the entire club is once again working on the organization. My parents will be there this weekend too, so they’ll be able to see me play again. My mom is a member of the youth board and arranged the food bar.” “Our sport is not only fairly strict, but also gallant and courteous” Bert is in contact with the union and the city of Kortrijk, Jade arranges communication with the press. “We are used to organizing tournaments, we know how to do it. There is someone to rig the rackets and to sell equipment. Whether many rackets are smashed at a tournament? (laughs) No, that doesn’t happen a lot. We have a very polite sport. And a card would soon fall from the referee.” Gentlemen’s game “Whether that’s the Japanese or Chinese influence?” adds Jade. “New. Our sport is fairly strict, so we had to play in white for a long time. Badminton is a gentlemen’s game, and it is courteous.” Jade and Bert may have been playing together for years, but they are not aiming high for the Belgian Championship. “Our draw is not going well,” says Bert. “If we win the first two rounds, which is possible, we will play in the quarterfinals against the first seed and three-time Belgian champion (Jona Van Nieuwkerke and Lieze Jacques, ed.). And in the men’s doubles it will be even harder to survive. A quarterfinal would be nice.” “Maybe Catelyn Deprez (17) can still achieve something. She has just come out of injury, has only been playing for two or three weeks, and is still in top sports school. In first national she always plays single, and does well. But she has nothing to lose.” “I myself am looking forward to Leanne Tan, who has already been Belgian champion about 10 times, and has been in the final more than 15 times. She really is a top player. No, we especially hope that many people will come to the BC, we are aiming for about 300 people. That would already be a great success.” The BC will be played on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February. On Saturday, from 9 a.m., all matches up to the quarter-finals are scheduled. The semi-finals (10 am) and final (2 pm) will follow on Sunday. The tournament is a Covid-Safe event. If you want to be sure of a ticket, you can register at Bk.lebad.be. Tickets for one day cost 5 euros, for a whole weekend 10 euros.