With the inclusion of Para-badminton in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, the popularity is on the rise in the region.
Badminton Australia along with Badminton Victoria have recently played host to a Para-Badminton training camp linked with the Australian Para-Badminton championships. The event and training camp was attended by 26 participants from Australia, New Zealand and Tonga and featured a range of training exercises from various coaches.
The on-court coaching programme was led by Ian Bridge (WA) who was assisted by Marriane Loh (BA), Margaret Beakley (BV), Michelle Au (SA), Vinny Harris (NZ), Metui Vainikolo (Tonga) and Oceania Coaching and Development manager Robbie Thackham. To compliment the on court training sessions for the Para athletes the coaches were all included in a long term planning session with the basis of planning for a Paralympic cycle.
Athletes were exposed to physical training programmes at the BayFit Leisure centre from the staff at Victoria Institute of Sport followed by on-court training sessions covering technical and tactical issues.
Following on from the training camp component the athletes competed in the Australian Para-Badminton championship. This was hosted side by side with the able bodied national championships at the Melbourne sport and aquatic centre.
Results as follows:
MS SL3/4 Winner – Corrie Robinson (NZ)
WS SL3/4 Winner – Caitlin Dransfield (WA)
MS SU6 Winner – Luke Missen (VIC)
MS WH1/WH2 Winner – Richard Engles (NSW)
MD SL3/SL4 Winner – Phonexay Kinnavong (QLD) & Luke Missen (NSW)
MD WH1/WH2 Winner – Lochan Cowper & Grant Manzoney (WA)
WD SL3/SL4 Winner – Caitlin Dransfield & Claire Mclean (WA)
