In a country obsessed with football, tennis and Formula 1, another sport has been quietly making its mark - one swift, powerful shuttle smash at a time.
Badminton, known as the world’s fastest racquet sport, has long been a giant in many countries especially across Asia.
Yet in Australia, its rise has been a slower, more patient climb. First played on Australian soil in 1874, badminton has battled for recognition, often overshadowed by sports that dominate television screens, social media and stadiums.
That tide has begun to shift - particularly for women.
From grassroots clubs to national championships, badminton is no longer just a casual backyard game - it’s emerged as a serious, high-speed sport demanding skill and heart.
With about 250,000 people in Australia now playing badminton – 41 per cent of them women - according to AusPlay data collected between October 2015 and June 2023, the sport is not just gaining momentum, it's laying the foundation for a more inclusive and diverse future.
Women in Action
Before most of the city stirs awake, before the sun even dares to rise, a battle is already underway.
In the chill of an early Thursday morning, the air inside the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre Badminton Hall is thick - not with noise, but with purpose.
Every smash, lunge, and rally tell a deeper story - a story of resilience, determination, and the refusal to settle for anything less than greatness.
The sweat falling to the floor despite the cold weather, the screaming muscles, the trembling knees and sore wrists - they are not signs of weakness, but the battle scars of someone forging herself into something stronger.
Gronya Sommerville, a professional athlete and Olympian, is a living testament to that dedication.
With a firm grip on her racquet and unwavering focus in her eyes, she trains not only to perfect her game but to redefine the future of women in the sport she loves.
“When I was younger... the losses felt really bad and were really tough, and then the wins felt amazing and such a high,” she said.
“With time, I’ve definitely mellowed out a little in both ways. When I lose, I’m not as sad," Sommerville said.
"When I win, I’m not overly happy… seeing it more as a process as opposed to the result of each specific one."
"The bigger picture is just to get better as a player.”
For Sommerville, the journey has always been about more than medals - it’s about showing up, again and again, for early morning trainings and difficult matches, even when no one else is watching.
“It’s a really long journey... make sure you enjoy it and surround yourself with the right people to help you improve and try not to get caught up in the small things,” she said.
Yet for Sommerville, the real battle doesn’t end when the match is over - it extends far beyond the court.
It’s a fight for a sport that truly includes and empowers women.
"There’s definitely a small group of us... we always have fewer girls than boys."
"Maybe girls drop out more often because it’s not really seen as a career," Sommerville said.
The hurdles women face in badminton go deeper than just athletic performance.
Sommerville said there were a web of personal and societal challenges like managing periods to navigating expectations around family planning and motherhood.
For her, even finding consistent women’s doubles partners and accessing high-level training opportunities remains a challenge.
Badminton Victoria’s Community Engagement Manager, Varshana Kumara Swamy, echoed these concerns.
She said a complex mix of challenges - from the weight of women's duties to cultural expectations and the presence of only a few visible female role models, all of which make it harder for women to stay involved in the sport.
“Caregiving responsibilities... they take away a lot of time and energy from a woman,” she said.
“That can be a really big challenge.”
The Push for Women in Badminton
In Victoria, concrete steps have been taken to break down the barriers that keep women from thriving in badminton.
Swamy said a major part of the effort lied in visibility - highlighting female athletes, officials, and leaders across all communication platforms.
"Give them a voice so that they can be inspirational to other women and girls who are seeing them," Swamy said.
But the push for inclusivity goes beyond the players.
Swamy said women were now also participating in technical roles, with several completing official training courses and serving as umpires and referees in major international tournaments.
Names like Cynthia Tan and Sandra David stand out - women who have officiated on some of badminton’s biggest stages.
Leadership has also taken a meaningful turn, with Badminton Australia led by President - Julie McDonald, in a clear sign that representation at the top matters.
A Rally That’s Only Just Begun
As Sommerville pushes forward - one fierce rally at a time - she’s not just chasing medals but paving the way for future generations.
The court may be the same size, but the challenges for women are greater - and so is their grit.
Because for every girl who sees herself in the whistle of an official or in the leadership of women at the top, the message becomes clearer: this sport can be for you, too.