The hunt is on for badminton players to help set a new world record in Oxford for the longest rally with the largest number of participants.

The record stands at 112 shots between 112 players, so at least 113 people are needed at the event on July 9 at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, in Pegasus Road.

The event was devised by Fusion Lifestyle sports development manager Leon Popplewell, who was inspired by the arrival of the Olympic Torch in the county next month.

He said: “We thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the torch go by and really inspire people to do something.”

Already between 20 and 30 people have said they are keen to take part, from age 10 upwards.

The players are split evenly either side of the court, hit the shuttlecock once and then retire. Then a player from the other side returns it, and so on, until each participant has taken part in the rally.

Mr Popplewell said: “We have never done anything like this before but we thought we should make the most of it.

“You don’t have to be a world-class player to do it, but you have got to be confident in yourself to be able to return it because you will be under a bit of pressure and there will be a lot of eyes on you.

“People won’t be trying to catch you out, so just as long as it’s not the first time you’ve played, you should be fine.”

The torch is due to pass through Blackbird Leys at about 5.15pm, with the idea being the record attempt starts at 6pm after the group has watched the historic procession.

There will also be a ‘no strings’ badminton session – where people can turn up and play without needing a partner – from 2pm so players can warm up in readiness for their bid to get in the record books.

Mr Popplewell will be filming and documenting the attempt, while a number of sports centre staff have already signed up.

He said: “There is already a high participation rate in badminton.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something you would not be able to do again and we hope it does inspire people to come back to badminton.”

He hoped about 120 people would take part.

  • To register to join the record attempt, email leon.popplewell@fusion_lifestyle.com or call 01865 467245.