There may not be an official club or league in Whitehorse, but loyal badminton players have found a place to practice and play the game they love.

Young athletes are practising Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons at Takhini Elementary School in preparation for an Arctic Winter Games year.

The Games trials will take place Saturday at Takhini Elementary – the badminton hub – from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Trial co-ordinator Rahel Diener said the team will consist of eight players, two for each division in junior and juvenile boys and girls.

The team will play in singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions at the Games in Fort Smith and Hay River. N.W.T.

Diener, whose son plays junior badminton at Takhini Elementary – which is how she got involved with the Games trials – said although there used to be a formal badminton club in Whitehorse it is now in a transition period and she expects there will be one again soon.

Adults also find time to play as well at Takhini, Diener said, and there is a lot of interest for a club to be restored.

Caroline Thibeault, 2016 Yukon badminton champion in the women’s singles event, will be the head coach of the Games team.

Once the team is formed, Diener said they will continue to have practices Monday and Saturday as well as an added practice Thursday evenings.

“There are a few ideas about going to a competition down south or somewhere else,” said Diener, noting they are in the process of looking into a precursor for the Games.