Over the first weekend of October, the top under-19 players from Australia and New Zealand will compete in the Trans-Tasman Challenge 2022.
The new initiative is part of Badminton Oceania’s player development programme (Tier 1) and will see the players compete in three test matches on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October 2022.
Australia will be fielding a range of junior talent, including recent Commonwealth Games debutant Jack Yu.
Four male and four female players from each country will be competing. Find out more about the under-19 players competing in their player profiles below. Simply click on their names to open a short bio on each player.
Male Players
What was your journey into badminton?
My badminton journey began at the age of nine where my mama tang would bring me to the court when she was playing badminton, naturally as a curious young man I fell completely in love with the sport of badminton as soon as I landed a shocking smash straight down the line.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
My favourite badminton player is Wei Nan from Hong Kong, he may not be the best in the world but he has a strong smash.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
My ambitions within badminton goes beyond as a player, i wish to promote the sport within Australia so our future generations have a greater chance to become competitive internationally.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
- Competed in World Junior Championships 2018 (Canada) and 2019 (Russia)
- Winning National Under-19 Doubles title in 2022
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
Instead of playing badminton, I also like to relax by going to the gym or swimming.
What was your journey into badminton?
I started playing badminton at the age of 8, I was surrounded badminton my whole life.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
My mother and my father are both my inspiration, from all the results and respect they’ve earnt from the around them is something I really look up to being in the future.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
I want to become what my parents have achieved in their career or hope to become better than them one day.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
Representing my country at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, World Junior Championships 2019 (in Russia) and will be again later this year.
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
I enjoy sleeping in and spending time with family and friends.
What was your journey into badminton?
I have been playing badminton for more than 10 years. I started playing badminton because my brother and sister was training, so I just followed along.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
Viktor Axelson, because he is an exciting player to watch on court and plays amazing angles on his shots.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
I hope to represent Australia in international tournaments.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
- Winning in the 2022 U19 Australasian National Championships in both the Men’s doubles and Mixed doubles title
- Representing Australia in the most recent World Junior Championships since COVID in 2019.
- Representing Australia and winning the 2019 Oceania Junior Team Championships
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
Playing games, going on foodie adventures and watching YouTube and Netflix.
Profile not yet available.
Female Players
What was your journey into badminton?
I’ve been playing for 6 years, I got into badminton after watched 2016 Australian Open.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
My favourite badminton player is Tai Tzu Ying because she has a unique playing style.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
My long term ambition is to play at an Olympic Games
What are your biggest achievements so far?
- Getting Selected for training camp in Thailand for Youth Olympics.
- Winning u15 Nationals singles and winning u19 Nationals doubles.
- Representing Australia for World Junior championship in Spain
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
I like being outdoors, going for beach walks and I enjoy eating.
What was your journey into badminton?
I have been playing for 11 years. I was first introduced to badminton when I was 6 while my mum was playing the South Australia Graded tournament. She was the one who got me into playing badminton.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
Greysia Polii would probably be my favourite player. She is so smart when she plays doubles, making it look effortless and enjoyable. Her winning gold in the 2020 Olympics was such an inspiration, encouraging me to continue down the women’s doubles path.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
My long term ambitions is to play in the Olympics for Australia.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
Some of my greatest badminton experiences and some of my best achievements so far would be the 2022 U19 Australian National Championships Doubles win and playing really amazing games at Oceania Badminton Championships making it to the semi finals for the woman’s doubles.
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
Off the badminton court I love the social life. Going out on adventures with friends and family or even playing other sports like basketball, soccer and tennis for fun.
What was your journey into badminton?
I started playing badminton in China when I was 9 years old, and continued playing after moving to Australia in 2019.
Who is your favourite badminton player and why?
My favorite badminton player is Lee Chong Wei. He experienced many setbacks and failures in his career, but his spirit of never giving up and being firm and persistent is inspirational to me.
What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?
To compete in the Commonwealth Games.
What are your biggest achievements so far?
- Winner of mixed doubles and women’s doubles, Runner-up of women’s singles at the U15 National Championships in 2018
- Winner of mixed doubles, the runner up of women’s doubles, and the third place of women’s singles at the U19 National Championships in 2022
What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?
Cooking, eating, and table tennis.
Profile not yet available.
All three test matches will be available to watch on the live stream, via Badminton Oceania’s YouTube Channel. Click here to watch.
You can also follow the latest tournament updates by following Badminton Oceania’s Facebook page.
