9 English universities – in partnership with BADMINTON England – are urging people to get onto a badminton court in a joint effort to generate new interest in the sport across campuses and local communities whilst raising funding for Help for Heroes.

In a week long period between 26th March and 2nd April, the dedicated badminton officers from some of this country’s finest academic institutions are aiming to encourage 2012 people to pick up a racket in a co-ordinated national charity event.

Activities on the day at each university venue will cater for different levels of on court competition – ranging from a doubles tournament through to fun, social hits for those finding their way back into the world’s fastest racket sport.

And it will all be for a good cause with all pay & play fees received being donated to Help for Heroes.

The national initiative gets under way at Northumbria University before gathering pace across the country. Dates and times for each venue’s ‘Raise a Racket for our Heroes’ event are listed below:

Northumbria University Sport Central
Saturday 26 March- 10am to 2pm

Hull Badminton Centre, Chanterlands Avenue North
Saturday 26 March – 11am to 3pm

University of Exeter – Streatham Sports Park
Sunday 27 March – 6pm to 10pm

Liverpool University Sports Centre
Wednesday 30 March – 1pm to 5pm

University of Hertfordshire Sports Village
Saturday 2 April – 10am – 4pm

Nottingham Trent University - The Lee Westwood Sports Centre
Saturday 2 April – 12pm – 4pm

St Mary’s College University Tennis Hall
Saturday 2 April – 1pm to 8pm

The University of York Sports Centre
Saturday 2 April – 2pm to 6pm

UWE Centre for Sport - Frenchay Campus
Saturday 2 April – 6pm to 8.30pm

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For more information or to make a donation towards this event, click here