General information

Welcome to SB Helios!
SB Helios is a badminton association, specifically by and for students of the UU and HU. We are located at Olympos, a sports center on the Uithof.

General information
SB Helios is the only badminton association in Utrecht that is there for students of HU and UU specifically. All members (including the board) are students or have just graduated. We offer more than just a regular badminton union: apart from training and competitions, we also offer a wide range of social activities each year. For more information, please read the section ISBT and other events. Moreover, we have a substantial number of committees that you can join. You can contribute to the club's magazine - the Helium -, or take part in organizing a weekend trip full of activities, drinking, connecting and fun!

It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or more advanced player, nor does it matter whether you are a competitive or a "just for fun" player. Every student is welcome at our association.

Competition league
Helios participates in two competition leagues. These are the so-called ‘’najaarscompetitie’’ (autumn competition) and "voorjaarscompetitie" (spring competition). All members of Helios can participate. The home matches will be held on Friday night and from time to time on Saturday or Sunday at the Sports Centre on campus: Olympos. For more information on the competition, click here


Training and free play
On Tuesday and Friday evenings there is the possibility for free play. Sometimes also on Wednesday and Sunday (when the hall is not reserved for competitions). Also, feel free to watch and cheer for the competition players on Friday or in the weekend!

We offer training at beginner, intermediate and advanced level on a weekly base on Tuesday (beginner and intermediate) or Wednesday (advanced). Currently, there are 6 training groups. If you are uncertain about your badminton level, we can give you some advice on which level to start in. Contact the Competition Coordinator via competitie@sbhelios.nl for more information about trainings. 

ISBT and other events
Every year, SB Helios organizes a huge event, namely the International Students Badminton Tournament (ISBT). The tournament is meant for students from The Netherlands and abroad. Don’t be afraid that you can’t cope with the level, as it is meant for both beginners and very advanced players. The main idea of this tournament is to have fun and get to know players from around the globe! 

Besides the ISBTs, the Event Committee will organize activities for all members of SB Helios. Just to give you an idea of what kind of activities, the following have been organized in the previous years: a karaoke, a game night, a Christmas Tournament, and the gala dinner.

Drinks at Sports café
After training or competition, quite a few Helios members will make their way to the sports café. Here they celebrate their victory, cope with their loss or come up with strategies. All while enjoying their well earned beverage.

Accommodation and costs
If you sign up to become a member of Helios, there are two mandatory memberships. One is a membership of BNL (the National Badminton Association of the Netherlands) and the second one is a Sports card at Olympos. The membership for BNL is 14,55 in 2021. An overview of the costs of Olympos can be found here. An Olympos membership card also gives you access to the gym and a wide range of sports lessons.

Come and play before you decide
Still unsure whether you want to join? No worries, we’d like to invite you to try out first or join a training on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please contact our Secretary via secretaris@sbhelios.nl. Do you want to become a member in the second half of the season? No problem at all! You can become a member at every moment of the year. So, don't hesitate to contact us and be assured of a great evening ahead. If you do not have a racket, again, no worries: you can borrow a racket from us.