Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to become a member?

Not at all! We have a wide range of skill levels in our association. From absolute beginners who have never played before to players with 10+ years of experience. We have a coach that can teach you the basics as well as advanced skills.

How do I become a member?

To become a proud member of HEEP you need both a HEEP membership and a UM SPORTS membership. You can register at the Sign Up! page.

What is the difference between HEEP and UM SPORTS badminton?

There is quite a lot of differences between HEEP and UM SPORTS training:

How much does it cost to become a member?

A HEEP membership costs:

You’ll also need a UM Membership subscription (also check out: FAQ – How do I become a member?)

Can I borrow a racket and shuttles?

Yes it’s absolutely possible to borrow a racket from HEEP. If you’re new to Badminton, don’t have your equipment with you yet, or just don’t have a racket available, you can borrow one of the HEEP rackets. We also offer plastic and feather shuttles to use during training.

We do recommend that you purchase your own racket if you decide to become a member. This is because we only have a limited supply of rackets. You will also improve much quicker if you use the same racket. Our trainer always has a few rackets with him that you can test and purchase from him for a fair price if you are happy with one of them.

Does HEEP have a competition team?

Since 2019, HEEP has had a competition team that plays in a regional, recreational competition where teams who play badminton for fun, compete. Anyone who enjoys playing matches and is excited to gain some more experience is welcome to join the team! A team ideally consists of 3 girls and 3 guys. We play approximately twice a month, mostly on weekdays. And after we’ve exhausted ourselves on court, we like to sit back and enjoy a drink together with the opponents. It is a great opportunity to gain experience and play against different opponents apart from your fellow HEEPers. For more information, check out our Competition page.

What kind of activities does HEEP organize?

HEEP organizes several fun activities next to training throughout the academic year. Some of our past activities include a Nations dinner, Movie nights, Pool, Christmas events and many more!. The big plus is that we’ll offer you opportunities to get to know new people next to just practicing badminton on court. For HEEP, it’s all about making friends and creating memories that last a lifetime, both on and off court. You can check out our Activities page for more information or reach out to our Head of Activities (accie@heep.nl).

Can I buy shuttles at HEEP?

You can buy shuttles from HEEP. Please check out the Heep Services page for prices and information about our other services.

How many members does HEEP have?

HEEP has around 75 members at any given moment. This can vary from semester to semester. The majority of our members are internationals, which offers a great opportunity to get to known people from all over the world!

What is the Buffalo rule?

The Buffalo rule is a HEEP tradition which goes as follows: Whenever a person in company of 2 or more HEEP members during a HEEP event – this also includes casual drinks – drinks an alcoholic beverage with their racket hand, and any other HEEP member calls them out on it, the person in question must down their drink. However, if the person calling out is wrong (if the person in question is, for example, left-handed), they have to down their own drink. This is referred to as the “Buffalo rule”. If a person really does not want to down their drink, they are given grace.

I have another question...

Feel free to reach out to any of the board members on court, we are happy to answer your questions. You can also send an email to info@heep.nl.