Getting to Tuvalu takes time. Flights are limited, and once you arrive in Funafuti, the country’s main island, travelling beyond it means long boat journeys to the outer atolls. It’s a setting where logistics shape what’s possible, including in sport.
Earlier in May, BOC Development Officer, Dhanny Oud, visited Tuvalu to work alongside the Tuvalu Badminton Federation (TBF), focusing on something simple but critical: building the number of people who can deliver badminton locally.
Focusing on Local Delivery
The visit supported TBF’s 2026 delivery of the Australian Aid Team Up Play for Equity Grant Tuvalu, which the federation has received for a second year. While previous work has focused on increasing participation, this phase is more about strengthening the people behind the programmes.
Two Shuttle Time courses were delivered during the visit.
Over two days, eight Youth Leaders were trained, learning how to organise and run sessions within their own communities. After this, seven teachers completed their Shuttle Time course, giving them the structure and confidence to introduce badminton in schools.
Most of the teachers were from Motufoua Secondary School on Vaitupu Island, an eight-hour boat journey from Funafuti. As the country’s only state boarding school, it is an important entry point for growing the sport. With a new indoor sports hall being built on campus, there is now both the workforce and, soon, the space to support regular badminton activity.
Working Alongside the Community
Outside of the formal courses, the visit was spent working directly with players and coaches in different settings.
In Funafuti, this included joining a regular social badminton session organised by TBF. These sessions are informal, but they are where most players engage with the sport week to week.
There was also time set aside for small-group player development, offering more focused support to those already involved in badminton.
Capitalising on their momentum, two of the newly trained teachers delivered a Shuttle Time session at Nauti Primary School. The session was practical from the outset, with students picking up rackets and learning basic skills straight away.
Early Signs of Ownership
One of the aims of the visit was to move delivery further into local hands.
“What stood out was how quickly the teachers and youth leaders took ownership. Once that happens, the programme becomes part of the community rather than something external.”
— Dhanny Oud, BOC Development Officer
At the same time, the reason for playing remains simple:
“I like badminton because it’s fun and I can play with my friends.”
— Benjamin, participant
Next Steps
The impact of this visit will be seen in what continues in the weeks and months to come.
There are now more teachers able to introduce badminton in schools, more youth leaders who can assist with delivery, and clearer links between different parts of the programme; from primary schools to secondary level and community sessions.
With continued support through the Team Up Play for Equity programme, and improved facilities on the way, TBF is in a stronger position to keep building from within.
