For Matthew Zhao (NZL), Yanxi Liu (NZL), Aneesh Nirmal (AUS) and Mimi Ngo (AUS) together with their coaches, Kenneth Yew (NZL) and Brent Miller (AUS), the last few days have been ones of new opportunities, learnings and creating memories. Competing at the International Badminton U16 SHONAI Invitational 2024 in Japan, these four young shuttlers have had the most unbelievable opportunities to be emersed into an International Badminton Tournament with their peers from around the world.
Coach Brent Miller from Australia only has good things to say about their time in Japan, outlining the experience his players have had such as “training with and playing practice games with juniors from Scotland, Canada and Korea”.
The players had to contend with one thing they don’t get in New Zealand, drift. With air conditioning in the venue, it was a new experience that Yanxi described as “an interesting learning”.
Adapting to different conditions, the level of opposition and the size of the stadium was a factor that had to be overcome. Mimi Ngo ‘found it hard to adjust to the different atmosphere and courts…but found it fun meeting other international players.”
Aneesh Nirmal sums up his experience well saying “it has been a good experience playing against the best of my age from around the world, and challenging them in rallies.”
Traveling and playing in a new country that has a different culture to ones own can be daunting. Kenneth Yew, coach of the New Zealand team has been impressed with his young players who have worked hard to adapt to something new. He said “the players are absolutely loving the people and culture here and have been amazed at the professionalism of the tournament and venue”’.
Even though being on the podium was not to be for these Oceania juniors in 2024, the experience of what they have been a part of, what they accomplished and the connections they have made while in Japan is priceless.
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- Oceania Teams
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- Australia
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- New Zealand
