Badminton in Tairāwhiti continues to thrive as junior participation grows and more young players represent the region at national level.
Over the past three years Badminton Eastland community coordinator Geoff Wright has worked alongside volunteers, coaches, managers and families.
The aim has been to strengthen the junior pathway and create more opportunities for young people to develop their skills.
“That work is starting to pay dividends,” Wright said.
“This year Badminton Eastland entered four junior teams in the New Zealand Junior Team Championships – an Under-13, U15, U17 and U19 team – the most teams the association has entered in the competition to date.”
Thirty-one players travelled to Palmerston North to represent Tairāwhiti at that competition.
“It is fantastic to see how far the juniors have come over the last three years. To get four teams away to a national championship is a huge achievement for a small association like ours.
“It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of work from the players, coaches, managers and, most importantly, the families who support them.”
The junior season begins early with pre-season development sessions starting in February, followed by squad trials in March.
It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of work from the players, coaches, managers and, most importantly, the families who support them.
“Behind every junior team is a group of volunteers giving their time to make the opportunities possible,” Wright said.
“This year Jon Barry, Dan Dan Li and Debs Hancock managed the U13 team at the tournament, and Eli Wright coached them.
“Tim Smith and Michelle Smith looked after the U15 team, Kelli Smiler and Summer Reynolds managed the U17 team.”
Wright coached the U17 and U19 teams and Rachael Spriggs helped manage the U19 team at the tournament.
Badminton Eastland’s goal is to make Tairāwhiti increasingly competitive on the national stage.
“The real results of our investment in the juniors will be seen over the next few years. We are still building,” Wright said.
“It is about creating a pathway for our young players.”
For children and young people interested in giving badminton a go, Badminton Eastland runs Shuttle Time sessions for primary and intermediate-aged players on Wednesdays.
Social badminton is held on Wednesday evenings for high school students.
Anyone interested in finding out more can contact eastland.coordinator@gmail.com.
The association will host its annual Junior Tournament this weekend for U13, U15, U17 and U19 player in singles and doubles.
“It’s a great opportunity for whānau to come down, support the kids and see what badminton is all about. There is a lot of talent coming through and it is great to see the confidence these young players are developing.”
Wright said Badminton Eastland was extremely grateful for the support of Grassroots Central Trust, Kiwi Gaming Foundation and the Bobby Foundation.
“The association also acknowledges Kevin Hollis Glass, who once again allowed us to use their forecourt for the association’s annual car wash fundraiser.
“With growing participation, four national junior teams and an increasingly strong development pathway, the future of junior badminton in Tairāwhiti looks bright.”
The junior players who competed at the nationals were:
U13: Amanda Reese Macmac, Daphne Dale Dela Torre, Anica Hancock, Tomas Contreras-Rojas, Guy Wright, Vin Barry.
U15: Amber Monika, Bella Richardson, Joedii Patuwai, Ella Stevens, Elayna Ang, Mitchell Spriggs, Jiziah Aumua (Ūawa), Joash John, Manu Marsh (Ūawa), Damien Smith.
U17: Kiani Olsen, Charizma Greaves, Tia Tui-Cooper, Chloe Riwaka, Eruera Ihimaera-Wikotu, Tanveer Singh, Borshan Halder, Luke Wright, Hunter Huhu.
U19: Aria Poon, Zita Szoke, Willow Roberts, Oliver Tilghman, Eli Wright, Kenji Kato-Golding.