Badminton has captivated the hearts of the multi-generational family for decades, as the young toddler who hasn't reached pre-school can play, as well as the grandfather and even the great-grandfather. Even the first-day novice can feel comfortable playing.

In England over 2 million people actively, regularly, play badminton.By combining skill, speed and subtlety, one can become a top pro.

The tools of badminton are simple: a shuttlecock often referred to as the 'bird' or the 'shuttle,' and a racket that is strung either with gut or synthetic fibre. The racket is usually about 26 inches long and only weighs about 5 or 5 •1/2 ounces. And, toddlers can handle the same weight racket as the parents -- if their hands reach around the handle. The cost of equipment?

A pack of shuttles and rackets can be purchased for less than $10 each or you can have yours custom made for quite a bit more. The 'bird' is super-light, weighing only 4 to 5 grams. The fourteen to sixteen feathers are fixed onto a kid-leather skin,which is then put into a cork head that is about one inch in diameter. The feathers are what slows the bird down toward the end of its flight across the net.

Winter winds blowing don't stop the badminton lovers. Played indoors with a net, the sport is a year-round possibility. An empty basketball court suffices, and players are ingenious in finding one that is available. Schools have found that even students who are not athletically inclined can enjoy learning and playing badminton.Many schools offer classes from kindergarten on through high school,increasing the skill level as the students grow.

Hand-eye coordination increases, as does depth perception, concentration, and spatial awareness. Older students learn organizational skills and coaching techniques. And after the school years, adults traveling around the globe can find a large Badminton Club in every major city.

Fast! That's one word that describes the game itself. That little 'bird' can travel in excess of 100 kph. Players lurch, twist, jump, run forwards, backwards, and sideways while lunging to flip the shuttle back to the other side.

The pros will travel more than a mile during a match, and cover almost every inch of the court. Because both the shuttle and the racket are so light, the slightest twist of one's wrist can direct where the bird will fly.

Fun! Delightful fun! Badminton brings much joy and laughter to the players. When they miss a shot and the bird falls to the floor, the standard excuse is, "There's a hole in my racket!"