Paul Jansen Schoonhoven and Monique Meijer from BC Merenwiek. (Photo: Gerry van Bakel)
The Leiden region has dozens of sports clubs. Some are better known than others, but they all contribute to the health and social well-being of their members. Sport071 puts a club in the spotlight every week. This week: badminton club BC Merenwiek.
The name already gives it away, this association comes from the well-known residential area in the north of the key city, the Merenwijk. The current chairman of the Merenwiek, Paul Jansen Schoonhoven, says that the badminton club was created together with the neighborhood. “Quite quickly, in 1976, a badminton club was founded. I became a member in 1980. At that time there were not as many sports clubs as now, so it was busy. You could only play one day a week and there was a waiting list for new members.”
Fortunately, the waiting list is gone, but the association is still very active. “We have an interesting group of people, with at least ten nationalities. We have many expats from Leiden and Oegstgeest. Many members come from Asian countries, where badminton is very popular,” says Paul, who came into contact with the sport in Indonesia. “I was born in Surabaya. I liked badminton so much because you can play it outside when the weather is nice. Set out a field in the garden in the evening. Different from the indoor sport that it is in the Netherlands.”
Paul Jansen Schoonhoven and Monique Meijer talk about BC Merenwiek in Sport071.
Clinics
Monique Meijer has been training at BC Merenwiek since 2016. “We have seniors on Friday, and three groups of children on Saturday. I hope to teach them technique and how to play matches in a harmonious way.” These matches, for example, take place in competitions, with clubs from the region. But there is also room for members who prefer to play recreationally. “Many people start like this,” Paul indicates.
BC Merenwiek also organizes activities outside its own hall on Broekplein. “We try to have a fun program for both seniors and youth. An upcoming outing is the Dutch Open in Den Bosch, where we will watch top matches and participate in clinics,” says Monique. “It’s a very warm club,” she adds. “New members can always come by for a trial training.”
Curious about BC Merenwiek? Take a look at their site.
Sport071 can be listened to and seen every Monday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sleutelstad.nl.
Leiden Sports Association of the week
