Always ready with a racket

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rackets and birdies were flying at Frank Roberts Junior High last weekend at the 11th Annual Jim Webb Memorial Badminton Tournament, part of Winterfest in Conception Bay South.
The tournament memorializes teacher and badminton enthusiast Jim Webb who died in 2010 after dedicating much of his life to playing the game, as well as coaching junior and senior teams.
Jim’s widow Olive Webb remembers him getting home from work three nights a week, only to immediately rush out the door to get to a game.
Their son Mitchell played as well, often traveling to games with his father.
“They just love it,” Olive said. “In our house, back then when he was alive, everything was badminton.”
Both former and current students show up to compete in the game, and Olive is always delighted to see the familiar faces returning to the gym.
Fellow FRJH teacher Jim Butler started the memorial tournament in 2011, and it’s been going strong ever since, with exceptions due to weather and the pandemic.
“We give a big cheer out to Jim Butler and the rest of the teams, by all means,” Olive said.