Frequently Asked Questions
General
There are so many ways to access MBC! We are located at 6-16 Joseph Street, Blackburn North. It is a 15 to 20 minute car or bus ride from the Melbourne CBD via the M3 freeway. If you are taking the bus, you can take the 906 bus from the Melbourne CBD, and get off at the Middleborough Road exit. From there, it’s a quick 5 minute walk to the courts.
MBC is open from 7:00am – 1:00am, 7 days a week.
MBC is open all year around!
We have several ways to help newcomers get started in badminton!
Equipment Hire
- We offer racquet hire if you book a court with us, please have a look at our Prices.
Socials
- We facilitate various beginner-friendly social for people looking to meet different people and play casually, please visit our socials page.
Training
- We have several training sessions for beginners, please contact us for any training related enquiries
Badminton is an indoor sport, and therefore require indoor sports attire and shoes.
Equipment
- You will need a badminton racket and plastic/feathered shuttles to start playing. Not to worry if you don’t own one yet, we offer racket hire on our website, please have a look at our Prices.
Attire
- Normal athletic/sports wear is fine.
Shoes
- Badminton shoes are ideally suitable when playing on MBC court mats.
- Squash, volleyball and other indoor court shoes can also be alternatively used as suitable footwear.
- Avoid using runners and outdoor shoes to prevent any ankle injuries.
- Black-soled shoes are BANNED as it is prone to leave black marks on the courts.
We have a wide range of apparel and equipment at our Pro Shop. Don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly MBC staff for recommendations on suitable equipment!
As stated on our website: “Credit is non-refundable; please top up only as needed”.
For exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, you may email our Human Assistant to apply for a review.
General Feedback: Please email our Human Assistant.
Complaints (Service/Response Time): Please contact our manager directly at enquiries@melbournebadminton.com.
Bookings
All bookings must be made through our website at melbournebadminton.com by clicking the “Book Now” button. We only accept online bookings. If you are a senior player or have difficulty using a smartphone/internet, please contact our human support line, and we will guide you through the process step-by-step.
Please double-check the screen for other courts to look for your name. According to our Terms & Conditions and the reminder on the booking page, we reserve the right to change your court number. While you can leave a note regarding court preferences during the booking process, we will do our best to accommodate them but cannot guarantee a specific court.
If your booking is more than 24 hours away, log in to our website, go to “My bookings,” and click the trash can icon to cancel it yourself. Bookings within 24 hours are non-cancelable. In cases of extreme force majeure, please call our human support line to apply for assistance.
To discuss long-term bookings, please email to our Human Assistant.
If your booking ends during our extended hours (11:00 PM – 1:00 AM), you may receive a text asking if you would be willing to confirm that the three main entrances are closed if you are the last to leave.
The SMS includes a link with simple instructions.
If you agree, reply “AGREE” and follow the link’s steps.
As a thank you, we will deduct $5 from your booking price; if this credit does not appear the next day, please email our Human Assistant.
Socials
Socials are a way for you to play badminton without having to find a group and hire a court. You can join other social players in playing matches by simply paying an entry fee, and it is a great way to play and meet new people! For more information on schedules and skill levels, please visit the MBC socials page.
There are different clubs running badminton social events everyday, with varying skill levels. For more information on schedules and skill levels, please visit our badminton socials page.
As there are various different clubs running badminton social groups throughout the week at MBC, there are several ways to join these sessions. Keep up to date with badminton social updates.
There are socials running on each day of the week, which cater for all sorts of levels. More information can be found on our socials page.
Definitely! Please email our Human Assistant, and we’ll get back to you to discuss schedules and availabilities.
Rentals & Retail
Advanced Bookings: If you booked in advance, the system will automatically send the locker password to your email 15 minutes before your booked time slot.
On-the-Spot Bookings: If you book right before playing at the venue, you will receive the password email within 1 minute.
Collect your racket from the lockers opposite Court 7.
By default, racket deposits are refunded as Credit to your system account to avoid repeat transaction fees for future use.
If you specifically require the refund to be sent back to your bank card, please leave a note when making your booking.
If you do not see the credit in your account, please email our Human Assistant for verification.
We do not provide rentals for shuttlecocks or shoes.
Shuttlecocks: Can be purchased (individual or full tubes) from the vending machine opposite Court 7.
Shoes: Can be purchased at our unmanned pro shop opposite Court 3, which supports on-site trials and refunds for incorrect sizes.
Opposite Court 7: One refrigerated machine (cold drinks, chocolates) and one room-temperature machine (drinks for seniors, chips, biscuits, various grades of shuttlecocks, and grips).
Opposite Court 3: Vending machines inside the unmanned shop sell professional shoes, rackets, and bags.
Our machines use sensors; if no item drops, the transaction is usually cancelled automatically.
Please monitor your bank statement for 1-2 days for a reversal or refund.
If no refund appears, email our Human Assistant with the time of transaction, item name, and lane number.
Professional Stringing Service
Yes. Please visit our self-service desk for detailed string type introductions, tension recommendations, and step-by-step application instructions.
Once you complete the form, pay, and drop off your racket, we will handle the rest.
Once finished, we will send you an SMS with a locker number and code.
You can then collect your racket from the lockers opposite Court 7 at your convenience.
Facilities, Safety & Security
First-aid supplies (AED, bandages, ice packs, gauze) are available at the front desk.
For emergencies, dial 000 for an ambulance immediately.
You can also call our Human Assistant for further assistance.
For small spills, please use tissues from the self-service desk.
For larger amounts of water, use the self-service mops located near the toilets.
If the roof is leaking onto the court, stop playing immediately and contact a Human Assistant for a full refund.
General items (clothing, etc.): Check the Lost & Found area next to Court 9.
Valuables (rackets, phones, keys): Email our Human Assistant with a detailed description (brand, model, color), and we will check our secure storage for you.
Lockers next to Court 9 are provided free of charge for long-term regular players.
You may apply for a locker via email, and we will accommodate requests based on availability.
This desk is reserved for professional coaches.
If you are a coach and require its use, please apply via email to our Human Assistant.
Melbourne Badminton Centre
Want to take your badminton game to the next level? Come to Melbourne Badminton Centre and train with some of the best coaches in the city.