The recent New Zealand Badminton (NZB) Junior Team Championships in Palmerston North was hosted by Manawatū badminton and attracted junior players from around New Zealand. This championship is the main national age group event this year.

Our teams received incredible hospitality and warm support from Manawatū. In addition, a big thanks to the parents and volunteers who were helping us, you are always very supportive! Also, what a great way for players to spend their school holiday, with their friends and testing the development philosophy of Auckland Badminton in competitive games.

The NZB junior team championships is a perfect development opportunity players and coaches, because, when the opposition may have been difficult the ABA teams demonstrated their developmental progress over the last year and their passion for badminton.

Coaching staff are extremely happy with the attitude and hard work all have put into training and the behaviour and free spirit shown – some of the younger ones were on their first trip away from home and coped well with the challenges. We take away great memories and experiences from every event all of them showed big steps in the development process from the last encounter with North Harbour in May.

Newly appointed Development Manager, Simon Richards was optimistic about the future of ABA in terms of its approach to long-term development. “It is highly likely that the game in the future will be quicker, more technical, and tactical, and the demands on our younger players will be elevated. Through a planned, consistent approach to training, based around principles of Long-Term Player Development, the Auckland Badminton Association Talent Development Programme will provide a platform for players wishing to reach their potential’.

Feng Li, our head coach says, “Long term development is our priority, we are not only wanting to develop good players, but also it is about creating better people.”

A busy school holiday for Auckland Badminton Junior players, planning for next year has already begun.

Congratulations to Our U19 T1 Champions:

Article added: Friday 23 July 2021