The BC Secondary Schools Badminton Championship was first held in November 1973 at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver. The tournament evolved from discussions held during 1972 which were initiated by Daryl Thompson, President of the BC Badminton Association. Seeking ways to increase interest in the game, it was suggested that a Provincial Championship be held at the Secondary School level.
1973 – The first meeting of schools from around the Province was held at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver. Nine schools played in a Jamboree which consisted on only Doubles and Mixed Doubles matches. The championship was determined by the individual play in three events.
1974 – The tournament saw a total of eleven school teams playing at Eric Hamber Secondary School. Over sixty schools registered with the Badminton Commission.
1977 – For the first time, the Championship was held outside of Vancouver in Westbank at George Pringle Secondary School. Also, the tournament was changed to the spring to accommodate the many schools that played badminton during the winter season.
1978 – A new format was used to increase the opportunity for more students in BC to compete in a Provincial Championship. This format also changed the emphasis from individual play to team play. Ultimately, it helped to foster school spirit and sportsmanship through the playing of badminton in secondary schools.
1982 – The tournament increased to 16 teams, again indicating the growing interest in this sport throughout the province.
1983 – The Sportsmanship Trophy was added to the list of awards presented at the tournament. The trophy is named in honour of the first Commissioner of Badminton, Mr. Rich West. Scholarships awarded to two deserving individuals were given for the first tie.
1984 – The perpetual trophy program was completed and, as a result, teams finishing in the first nine positions received trophies.
1987 – Stan Lawson (Kitsilano) completed his sixth year as Commissioner. The Tournament Committee came into existence during his term of office.
1988 – Ann Henderson completed a one year term as Commissioner. She remains in an advisory capacity.
1989 – Changed to a three day tournament.
1990 – The Scholarship Program was expanded and trophies were added for 10th and 11th place. Fred John completed two years as Commissioner. Tournament format was changed to include floating berths.
1991 – Trophies were added for 12th and 13th places.
1992 – Yonex continues as corporate sponsor.
1995 – Jack Catherwood completes term as Commissioner.
1998 – The automatic Independent School Berth for the Lower Mainland is removed and replaced with a Lower Mainland Qualifiying Tournament for school in the North Shore/Burnaby/New West Zone, the Vancouver Zone, the Richmond Zone and the Independent Schools. This allows for a more equitable berthing formula.
2002 – Dean MacKinnon completes 7 year term as Commissioner. He continues to serve as a Director. Number of players to participate on a school team at the Championships is raised to 10 boys and 10 girls. The removal of the 6 player rule greatly increase the opportunity for participation. Tournament is reduced to a 12 team format for this year only due to teacher strike action. Mike Charlton was voted in as the new Commissioner.
2006 – The Championship play dates were changed to coincide with the Winter season. This meant that the event was played before the spring break holiday. This alleviated a longer wait for the championship for both the fall and winter season teams, avoided the difficulties of coordinating the event over a holiday break, and brought the sport of badminton closer in line with all other sports under the BCSS organization.
2008 – Black Knight steps forward as the exclusive corporate sponsor.
History of the Tournament
The BC Secondary Schools Badminton Championship was first held in November 1973 at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver. The tournament evolved from discussions held during 1972 which were initiated by Daryl Thompson, President of the BC Badminton Association. Seeking ways to increase interest in the game, it was suggested that a Provincial Championship be held at the Secondary School level.
1973 – The first meeting of schools from around the Province was held at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver. Nine schools played in a Jamboree which consisted on only Doubles and Mixed Doubles matches. The championship was determined by the individual play in three events.
1974 – The tournament saw a total of eleven school teams playing at Eric Hamber Secondary School. Over sixty schools registered with the Badminton Commission.
1977 – For the first time, the Championship was held outside of Vancouver in Westbank at George Pringle Secondary School. Also, the tournament was changed to the spring to accommodate the many schools that played badminton during the winter season.
1978 – A new format was used to increase the opportunity for more students in BC to compete in a Provincial Championship. This format also changed the emphasis from individual play to team play. Ultimately, it helped to foster school spirit and sportsmanship through the playing of badminton in secondary schools.
1982 – The tournament increased to 16 teams, again indicating the growing interest in this sport throughout the province.
1983 – The Sportsmanship Trophy was added to the list of awards presented at the tournament. The trophy is named in honour of the first Commissioner of Badminton, Mr. Rich West. Scholarships awarded to two deserving individuals were given for the first tie.
1984 – The perpetual trophy program was completed and, as a result, teams finishing in the first nine positions received trophies.
1987 – Stan Lawson (Kitsilano) completed his sixth year as Commissioner. The Tournament Committee came into existence during his term of office.
1988 – Ann Henderson completed a one year term as Commissioner. She remains in an advisory capacity.
1989 – Changed to a three day tournament.
1990 – The Scholarship Program was expanded and trophies were added for 10th and 11th place. Fred John completed two years as Commissioner. Tournament format was changed to include floating berths.
1991 – Trophies were added for 12th and 13th places.
1992 – Yonex continues as corporate sponsor.
1995 – Jack Catherwood completes term as Commissioner.
1998 – The automatic Independent School Berth for the Lower Mainland is removed and replaced with a Lower Mainland Qualifiying Tournament for school in the North Shore/Burnaby/New West Zone, the Vancouver Zone, the Richmond Zone and the Independent Schools. This allows for a more equitable berthing formula.
2002 – Dean MacKinnon completes 7 year term as Commissioner. He continues to serve as a Director. Number of players to participate on a school team at the Championships is raised to 10 boys and 10 girls. The removal of the 6 player rule greatly increase the opportunity for participation. Tournament is reduced to a 12 team format for this year only due to teacher strike action. Mike Charlton was voted in as the new Commissioner.
2006 – The Championship play dates were changed to coincide with the Winter season. This meant that the event was played before the spring break holiday. This alleviated a longer wait for the championship for both the fall and winter season teams, avoided the difficulties of coordinating the event over a holiday break, and brought the sport of badminton closer in line with all other sports under the BCSS organization.
2008 – Black Knight steps forward as the exclusive corporate sponsor.