PEIThe first stop of the Atlantic Badminton Series hit the island this weekend. Players of many different levels from across Atlantic Canada competed at UPEI.Badminton players from across regional competed at UPEI this weekendJenna Banfield · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2025 4:33 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoThe Atlantic Badminton Series began on P.E.I. this weekend. Players from across the region competed at UPEI. (Delaney Kelly/CBC)The first stop of the Atlantic Badminton Series hit the island this weekend.Players of many different levels from across P.E.I., New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador competed at UPEI.Daryl Beers, president of the Moncton Badminton Club, remembers a time where there were only 12 kids in his club. He said that number has grown into the hundreds.“It’s a growing sport, rapidly growing sport in Canada, and I’m here for the last 20 years watching it happen and it’s been amazing to see.” Beers said.Beers says he’s seen the number of players greatly increase over the past two decades. (Delaney Kelly/CBC)He says there has also been growth in skill over the years, with some players gaining enough to compete nationally.“The skill level is just way beyond it was five years ago,” He said. “But now Atlantic Canada has players that will actually be stronger than some of those Ontario and Quebec and British Columbia, Alberta players.”Wen Yan, president of Badminton P.E.I., agrees the sport is growing in the region, but says it’s a challenge to bring players onto the Island, as more of them tend to leave the province for other opportunities.He also says it can be tough for P.E.I. players to travel for games due to expenses, so having the ability to play on P.E.I. expands opportunities for Island players.More players on the way upTwelve-year-old Shaurya Punj has been playing for the Moncton Badminton Club for a year and a half. He says this is his first Atlantic tournament.Punj says he wants to play in the Olympics some day. (Delaney Kelly/CBC)He wants to play in the Olympics for Canada when he’s older, and has some advice.“if you practise, you’ll get better. So that’s what I did, too. I thought I was gonna give up, but then I kept on practising and now I’m good.�“My goal is to win but also have fun at the same time.”With files from Delaney Kelly
Popularity of badminton growing in Atlantic Canada, coaches say
