Over fifty years ago, Margaret and Roger Wallis met playing badminton in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and they just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Both Margaret and Roger are accomplished players, successful coaches and ambassadors to the sport of badminton in the Etobicoke area. Roger learned how to play badminton in high school and continued to play at the University level at both and the University of Birmingham and Cockerels- Margaret learned how to play after leaving school and continued to play competitive club badminton.

In 1983, Roger and Margaret began the Etobicoke Junior Badminton club. This club was a “Not for Profit” club which they successfully ran for 27 years up till 2010. The program saw 900 juniors go through the program with 500 of the participants playing for their high schools. Ninety of the players making it to the OFSAA finals, 60 played for their university/college teams and 35 of them going on to get their coaching credentials. For their efforts the Wallis’s have been recognized by the OBA, and Roger by the Government of Ontario, with the Syl Apps Award for development of Sport in Ontario.

Roger is also the co-author of the only instructional badminton book in Canada. “Badminton Essentials-for Instructors and School Teachers.

Currently, Roger is the coordinator and Margaret will be playing at the Ontario Senior Games 55+ in Cobourg later this month taking a contingent of 8 players from Etobicoke. Both Margaret and Roger get to utilize their NCCP coaching Level 1 and 3 coaching certificates respectively, at City of Toronto Ourland Community Seniors “Drop in” badminton. The Wallis’s applied for the facility for this drop in 2013 and it has grown to 65 participants. The session consists of a 30-minute lesson followed by 2 hours of round robin play.

Both Margaret and Roger have successfully participated in the Canadian Over 55 Games, winning gold in the mixed doubles in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 2012 in the over 65 categories. They have also won silver in the Canada Over 65 Games in men’s and ladies doubles.

The Wallis’s are very humbled by winning the prestigious Athlete of the Month award. They are also grateful that they can share their passion with the sport with other residents of Etobicoke. “It is quite remarkable of what Margaret and Roger have done for the sport of badminton in the Etobicoke community and the tremendous impact they have had on young people’s lives through the sport that they have so much passion for. They certainly are wonderful role models and I wish them all the luck in their upcoming competition” says Joanne Noble, Chair of the Board of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.

The Athlete of the Month is sponsored by The Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, Humber College, Canadian Tire-The Queensway, Boston Pizza-The Queensway and The Etobicoke Guardian. To nominate an athlete, please visit www.etobicokesports.ca