The Lake Washington School District will offer badminton as a sport at its four high schools beginning in the spring of 2013.

The district reviewed its athletic offerings as part of the transition to four-year high school and surveyed female student-athletes on desirable additions to the current athletic programming.

280 girls played badminton at the junior high level in the district and after reviewing availability of facilities, qualified coaching candidates and competition, decided to move forward with the process.

“We have a history of strong badminton programs at the junior highs in our district,” deputy superintendent Traci Pierce said. “It is an Olympic sport and we believe it will be a popular offering at the high school level.”

The Lake Washington teams will compete against one another as well as squads from Mercer Island and Bellevue.

Contact and submissions: jsuman@bellevuereporter.com