SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. They didn't enjoy quite the fanfare of swimming or softball, but tucked away in their corner of Millennium Place, badminton players provided just as many thrilling finishes at the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games.

Players from all four western provinces and all three territories competed in badminton at the Games, and while the northerners didn't walk away with any medals, they rose to the occasion against each other.

After victories against Nunavut on Sunday afternoon, Team Yukon prepared to take on Team Northwest Territories in a playoff battle for fifth place Monday. The N.W.T. had prevailed in round-robin matches, so, buoyed by their new-found mascot Eddie the Eagle, the Yukoners were out for revenge.

Unfortunately, they came up short in the end, losing by a score of 5-3 in the team event, but head coach Randy Carlson was still pleased with his team's performance at the Games.

The goal heading in was to end up in that fifth-place playoff.

'The team performed to our expectations, and now we know what we have to work on,' said Carlson.

He said some of the boys' doubles matches against the N.W.T. were great to watch, as well as good experience for a young Yukon team.

'Our encounter with N.W.T. as a whole... even though we lost... I would say that was one of the best challenges and one we would like to do more often.

'In the North, it's hard to get good competition on a regular basis.'

Carlson said there's definitely a bit more of a bond between the three northern squads, which is something that's always fun and great for the athletes. He pointed to the sportsmanship and spirit of Team Nunavut, whose athletes could be heard shouting cheers throughout the competition.

'They were competitive, but so polite on the court as well,' he stated.

Watson Lake resident Michaela Rotondi, who is just 12 years old, said she had the most fun playing against rival N.W.T., since that's where she scored the most points. The young athlete said she refused to be intimidated by the fact most of her competitors at the Games were a few years older than her.

'I just came here to have fun. It's my first time (at a major competition), so it's really exciting. I'm having a blast.'

Rotondi's older brother Seth, 16, said while the matches with Nunavut and the N.W.T. were challenging, he most enjoyed the competition against B.C.

'I got smoked, but I learned a lot,' he smiled.

Both Seth and Michaela have only been playing badminton for two years. Their sister Abbie is also on the team and all three of them got involved through their parents. It's the same scenario for Vanessa and Jason Carlson, Randy's kids. Wife Janice Carlson is the team's manager.

Along with athlete Tyler Porter, that makes six of the 10 athletes, as well as the coach and manager, all hailing from Watson Lake.

'For the small communities, it's tough to break into team sport in Whitehorse,' explained Randy. 'With badminton, you can practice with two or 20 kids. It really works for the small communities. It's been a really big thing for the kids in our community.

'Plus, it's really a family sport. Adults and kids can play together.'

Also, badminton is one of the only sports where men and women compete as a team together, in mixed doubles. The fact it's a big combination of physical ability and mental strategy is what makes that possible, said Randy.

'That's why we like the sport.'

In Watson Lake, the team is able to book a lot of gym time they might not be able to get in Whitehorse. Leading up to the Games, they held a few coaching and training clinics in the southern Yukon community, as well as a few in Whitehorse.

Randy also took seven of the players to a one-week camp in Prince George earlier this month, as part of their final preparation.

'That was a big challenge and a lot of work, but it was great. That kind of thing is what the kids need to do more of. Training camps and bringing in quality coaches are really what we need to improve.'

Next up for the Yukon badminton players will be the 2008 Arctic Winter Games, where they will likely end up in rematches with many of their northern rivals from the N.W.T. and Nunavut.

It may be hard for AWG host Yellowknife to live up to the reputation Sherwood Park established with the Yukoners this week.

'I was so impressed with all the volunteers and the well-organized facilities,' stated Randy. 'This is professional. This would be what we call a Level 3 competition. It's definitely a step up from what we've experienced in the past.'

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, Team Yukon fell 9-0 to Saskatchewan in their final round-robin matchup.

For more coverage of the Western Canada Summer Games, including the final days of swimming and soccer, see Wednesday's edition of the Star.