PORT VILA, VANUATU—Last week, the Vanuatu Badminton Association (VBA) was officially welcomed as a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), a milestone moment for the country’s newest sporting body. The announcement comes less than a year after VBA was founded, and just months after joining the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC).
This exciting development coincided with a visit from Badminton Oceania staff members Sam Kreutzer (Participation and Development Manager) and Dhanny Oud (Development Officer), who returned to Port Vila to support VBA in its early development journey. Their visit marked a continuation of the momentum that began late last year, with a focus on both Para badminton and grassroots development.
When the earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 17 last year, it left a trail of destruction across Port Vila, damaging key infrastructure and displacing many community activities, including sport. But in true Vanuatu spirit, the community adapted. The Wan Smol Bag Yut Senta, a vibrant youth theatre centre, opened its doors to badminton, offering a safe and welcoming space for the sport to grow.
PARA BADMINTON: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMPETITION READINESS
For three days, one of Wan Smol Bag’s indoor theatre spaces transformed into a training ground for Para badminton. Two emerging athletes — Jacklynda Molidu and Rodney Talo — took part in focused sessions designed to build their skills and prepare them for international competition.
The sessions had two key goals: to assess the current level of both players and coaches, and to introduce a more structured, high-intensity training environment. From skill development to match play, every detail was geared toward helping Jacklynda and Rodney feel confident and ready for next month’s VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships.
“I was pleased to see the improvement of the players since we last saw them in December,” said Dhanny. “It was great to see their passion and drive to improve.”
Jacklynda, who is both a Para badminton player and a Shuttle Time teacher, shared her reflections on the experience:
“I am very interested in the training because it has helped me learn many new things in a short time,” she said. “As a Para, I have gained valuable skills and knowledge that I am eager to put into practice. I am also motivated to share what I have learned with others by training them, so that we can all grow and improve together.”
Local youth also joined in at times, adding energy and enthusiasm to the sessions. Lyn Kuai, who coaches Para badminton and has been delivering sessions at Wan Smol Bag for several years, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity:
“First, I want to thank both Sam and Dhanny for the 3-day training. I really enjoyed it and learned three new things: how to use the court for singles and doubles, how to use the racket and shuttle to train para-athletes — I used to use my hand to throw the shuttle! — and how to understand odd and even numbers on the court, and when to switch sides after winning a rally. I appreciate this opportunity.”
SHUTTLE TIME: EMPOWERING TEACHERS TO DELIVER SPORT
On Saturday, 6 September, the VASANOC office hosted a full-day Shuttle Time Teachers course. Coordinated by VBA’s Augustine Yalou and VASANOC’s Mathias Boe, the course welcomed schoolteachers keen to bring badminton into their classrooms.
Just two days later, the newly trained teachers put their skills into action at Freedom School, where over 100 students across four classes participated in Shuttle Time activities. It was a lively and encouraging start to what promises to be a long-term impact.
To ensure the programme is implemented effectively across schools, Sam and Mathias met with James Malau from the Ministry of Education and Training. Together, they discussed how VBA could most appropriately roll out Shuttle Time in the school system, aligning with national education priorities and an emphasis on sustainability.
With 19 trained Shuttle Time Teachers now on board, VBA plans to deliver the programme to five schools in Port Vila by the end of 2025.
A GROWING MOVEMENT
Founded in November 2024, VBA has made rapid progress, joining VASANOC in April and becoming a BWF member in September 2025. Shuttle Time remains the cornerstone of its development strategy, helping introduce badminton to more people across Vanuatu.
This recent visit builds on the first Shuttle Time Teachers course held in December 2024, where nine teachers were certified. This time, ten new teachers joined the ranks, with three returning for a refresher. Most are schoolteachers who will now lead badminton sessions in their schools.
Interest in Para badminton is also growing. Since the initial sessions with the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee last December, Jacklynda and Rodney have continued training and will proudly represent Vanuatu at the upcoming VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships and the YONEX Australian Para Badminton International 2025.
This trip was made possible through the BWF New Member Grant. Special thanks to Wan Smol Bag Yut Senta and VASANOC for their continued support and generosity in providing facilities.
