We'll see you out on the courts!
Two locations: ECC Bell Sports Center & Zion Dominion
** Pickleball Instructional classes and league play registration is now open **
** Closed Memorial Day - Monday, May 29th **
** Open Play schedule for badminton and pickleball is listed below - 8 sessions per week **
Meet our team
Coach Mike
Youth Basic instructor
Club Manager
Mike Hacker has played badminton for over 30 years and has participated in tournaments and club play in the USA, Canada, and England. He is coaching certified through USA badminton and has instructed youth and adults through at various school programs, community education and at Rally Niagara. Coach Mike instructs the Youth novice group.
Coach Christina
Youth Basic Instructor
Christina Malyn-Gossett started playing badminton seven years ago after watching her father compete in the National Senior Games Association Badminton championships. From the moment she got her first racket, Christina fell in love with the sport; entering tournament competition five years ago around Western New York, and Toronto. Christina earned her Master's degree in Elementary education and has been working with children on many levels for many years, ranging from teaching Sunday school to working in a day care center.
Coach Hetram
Youth Basic instructor
Hetram Sookdeo has played badminton during his high school in Guyana, South America. He joined Rally Niagara badminton club in 2011 for fun, making new friends and relaxation. He lived in Amherst with his wife and three children for the past 19 years and enjoys playing the game and coaching younger children in the sport. His youngest son, Chet attends the coaching sessions and enjoy being with his friends at the club.
Coach Navin
Youth Inter / Adv Instructor
Navin Agrawal has played competitive badminton for over 15 years. Early in his life, he wasn't very active physically and had troubles with chest congestion every winter. As he took on learning badminton in Jamshedpur (a small steel city in India), alongside State level players, his health improved within the first year and became free of his condition. He continued playing badminton wherever his job took him in India and UK. During winter of 2011, he joined Rally Niagara Badminton.
Coach Sandeep
Youth Advanced Instructor
Sandeep Yalamanchili has been a volunteer coach for the past 6 years at Rally Niagara. He has a wealth of coaching and playing experience, He currently has a level 1 BWF coaching certification and has participated in senior international and regional tournaments in the USA and Canada.
"Buddy"
Administration "watch dog"
Buddy loves badminton and is an occasional visitor to the club. His favorite snacks are well worn aeroplane feather birdies.
Coach Praveen
Youth Intermediate Instructor
Praveen Arany is a badminton enthusiast who started playing in middle school and has been active for the past 30 years. He has been competing in local and regional tournaments and loves playing less competitively these days due to time constraints. Praveen joined Rally Niagara in the fall of 2015 when he moved to Buffalo with his family. His wife, Hema and daughter, Niki love to play badminton besides enjoying the many activities in the Buffalo-Niagara region. He currently coaches the advanced youth group focusing on technique and game strategies.
Coach Zarni
Youth/Adult Advanced Instructor
Zarni Htay has played International Open badminton for over 10 years for Myanmar National team. Started playing badminton since he was 12 years old with his parents who also played and coached badminton for the Mandalay State. He is 4 times Myanmar National Champions and played more than 20 open and international tournaments. He joined Rally Niagara Badminton in 2014. He currently resides in East Amherst with his wife, Jessica and two kids and is looking forward to sharing his passion for the sport of badminton.