Fighting for Diversity and Inclusion in Baltimore County Sports
The undersigned members of the Loch Raven Badminton club urge to you reconsider the decision to move badminton to Loch Raven High School. Not only the club is the largest badminton club in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, it is also one of the oldest badminton club in the U.S. Over 50 years, Loch Raven Badminton club provides a community to serve players all over the worlds who share the same passion, regardless of their religions, races, political views, and backgrounds.
More than 200 dues-paying members include 150 adults and 72 children who receive professionally certified training. The club has grown not only in membership but as a multi-generational and multicultural community. Loch Raven Badminton club is also part national badminton community, and hosted a para-badminton clinic last year. The club hosts celebrations of achievement for its junior players, two of whom are nationally ranked. Countless other junior players are competing at the highest levels in Baltimore County schools and Maryland state sanctioned tournaments. Two of our players represent U.S. competing at PanAm Para-Badminton championship this week in Peru.
One only needs to come to the courts on a Tuesday or Thursday evening to find the most diverse and inclusive membership of any sports team or club offered in the Baltimore County recreation league. Due to the professional approach of the elected leadership, the club is in a healthy fiscal situation. The club has invested in new maps to ensure the safety for its players and sells shuttlecocks at a reduced price. The relocation of the club will immediately reduce club membership as the playtime will be severely limited and contingent on the variations of the high school schedule. The high-quality training programs will be impacted as families have grown accustomed the consistent offerings on the weekends. We have attempted to work collaboratively with the tennis clubs and growing interest in Paddleball. We welcome further conversations for ways the NERRC can accommodate all three of these important racquet sports that do some much for the health and wellness of the community. Please reconsider your decision and lets us work with you to ensure a fair and equitable solution.
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