Natalie Guzman is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Trevor G. Browne for AZPreps365.com

For Trevor Browne badminton, the 9-0 loss against Hamilton High School October 16 was not surprising.

With only one win before their Hamilton match, most girls knew what they were up against.

Despite the challenge, the team gave their best effort in every single match, fighting for each point called. However, some girls on Trevor Browne note that their East Valley school counterparts have advantages.

Trevor Browne is located in the heart of the Maryvale village, on the west side of Phoenix. When it comes down to the financial aspects of the team, Trevor Browne head coach Danell McPhaul said that other sports programs at Trevor Browne, such as football and baseball, already receive more funding than the badminton team.

Yet in comparison between Trevor Browne and Hamilton badminton, McPhaul said there is a difference in financial opportunities for teams. Not in district funding, but from the sport-specific opportunities available. Many of the Valley’s badminton facilities are located in the East Valley, including the Arizona Badminton Center, which is in Mesa.

“This is where the majority of the [badminton] facilities are located,” McPhaul said of the East Valley. “For them to be able to get better and to go practice [is] a lot more due to their socio-economic status.”

Not only are facilities more accessible to East Valley schools, but players like junior Mariana Quintero said she thinks parent and club involvement are key factors.

“A lot of schools like Hamilton, parents put [students] into clubs,” Quintero said.

McPhaul reiterated the same thought about parent participation in the comparison between the two schools.

“It comes down to how much the parents are willing to contribute,” McPhaul said.

Also, equipment can be an expensive issue.

“The rackets in particular because they do get broken a lot and it is a little expensive to get them fixed and we just don’t have enough money all the time to get through,” McPhaul said.

Captain and senior Birydiana Cervantes said she is hopeful for fundraising later this year, though believes financial status isn’t as important because it’s all the same rules and equipment.

“It’s all the same; it doesn’t matter if the gym is small or big,” Cervantes said.

For now, the badminton season has concluded and Trevor Browne ended the season with a 2-11 record – its second win coming against Maryvale High School following their match against Hamilton. Hamilton went on to lose the Division 1 state championship to Sunnyslope High School.