Saipan, Northern Marianas — The Northern Marianas Sports Association (NMSA) awarded Janelle Pangilinan Coach of the Year at the recent 2025 NMSA Annual Awards Banquet.
Pangilinan—herself a Pacific Mini Games medalist for NMI— has spent the last decade driving the growth of badminton in the Northern Mariana Islands. A certified BWF Level 1 coach, she spearheads both the elite and grassroots development programmes on island. In the last year, she coached the NMI U15 team to a bronze medal at the Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge. She also led the U19 team to their historic third place finish at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships.
Looking back on this year, Pangilinan says the players are at the core of everything she does.
“There weren’t many young players or off-island opportunities for NMI badminton when I first started playing,” she explains. “Since I began coaching the young players, their numbers have continued to rise, and opportunities to play off-island have continued to present themselves. I am motivated to develop badminton because of the players.”
Although Pangilinan often travels across the Pacific to support her players, her greatest impact remains at home. Managing the Junior National Development Program and delivering Shuttle Time sessions throughout the community, she serves as a main proponent for the sport on the ground.
Looking forward, Pangilinan’s focus remains elevating the island’s next generation of players.
“Developing more complete players—not simply winners—is one of my personal coaching objectives,” she notes. “I want every player to have a solid technical foundation, mental toughness, self-assurance, and discipline. With the development, I want to start a U10 program because it is the first step toward a more structured basis.”
Northern Marianas Badminton Association’s standout members were recognised at the NSMA Awards Banquet 2025.
The NMI U19 team was also nominated for the 2025 Team of the Year. This came after their first NMI badminton medal in a continental championship at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships 2025.
Badminton Oceania extends warm congratulations to both Coach Janelle Pangilinan and the U19 National Team for their recognition and achievements in 2025.
Photos via Northern Marianas Sports Association/Northern Marianas Badminton Association
