Describe a sport that you enjoy playing

The sport I enjoy most is badminton, and I've been playing it since I was about twelve. My older brother introduced me to it in our yard, using a net made from a piece of rope, and I've loved it ever since.

These days I play twice a week, usually on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings, at a small sports hall near my house. The hall is quite old, but it has good courts and it's very affordable, so it is always busy. I mostly play doubles with three friends from university, and we've become a fairly regular group. Occasionally we play a friendly match against another group, and the losers buy the drinks, which adds a bit of fun.

There are a few reasons why badminton appeals to me. To begin with, it's a fantastic way to keep fit. A single game can be surprisingly tiring, and I always get out of breath in the first ten minutes, but afterwards I feel energised rather than exhausted. It also suits my personality, because I have quite a competitive streak, and the quick rallies keep me concentrating the whole time. Another thing I like is that it's sociable. You can chat between points, laugh about a terrible shot and, over time, you really get to know the people you play with. Finally, it's cheap and doesn't need much equipment, just a racket and some shuttlecocks, which means almost anyone can join in. I think I'll still be playing it when I'm much older.