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Livermore’s two comprehensive high schools are set to form badminton teams for the first time this spring, following requests from students and their families.
Granada High School and Livermore High School will each have one varsity, co-ed badminton team for a total start-up cost estimated at approximately $39,900.
The new teams will be members of the California Interscholastic Federation, permitting them to play with other member high schools such as Foothill, Amador Valley, Dublin, Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley, according to Torie Gibson, Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Superintendent.
Although approval from the Board of Education was not needed to create badminton teams at the high schools, the trustees expressed their unanimous support for the new offering during a discussion at their Nov. 12 regular meeting.
“When we support our students, they succeed,” Trustee Craig Bueno said in favor of forming the teams.
Ahead of a previous board meeting Oct. 14, LVJUSD parent Indumathy Ramasamy Kesavan requested that the board consider introducing a badminton team at both high schools.
While high schoolers can participate in badminton clubs, official school teams would benefit students, including her middle school daughter Adithi Krishnan who is a national-level badminton player, Ramasamy Kesavan wrote.
“Having the opportunity to represent her school through badminton would not only enhance her journey but also inspire many other students in our district to pursue excellence in the sport,” Ramasamy Kesavan wrote to the board.
“Additionally, I am aware that many students in Granada are already part of badminton clubs and are enthusiastic about the idea of forming official school teams,” she added.
In terms of logistics, creating a new athletic offering means finding an area for the sport.
“Space will be a challenge, but both athletic directors have assured me they will work it out,” Gibson said at the Nov. 12 school board meeting.
The cost for offering badminton is steepest at the start-up phase, Gibson said.
Of the initial $39,900 in start-up funds, GHS’ program would cost approximately $24,100. Assuming sufficient student interest, LHS’ program is estimated to cost approximately $15,800 as they’re expected to have a smaller team.
The combined and ongoing annual cost for both teams is expected to be approximately $12,000, according to the updated board agenda.
Funding for the new athletic offering will come from the district’s General Fund, Gibson confirmed in a response to Trustee Christiaan VandenHeuvel.
“Students come first,” Gibson said. “We’ll figure it out.”
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