Pictured: Junior players from Cook Islands and New Caledonia. Photo credit: Paul Foxall
The junior competitions which took place over the weekend (VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships 2023 and Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge) were an important component in the development of talent across Oceania.
2019 was the last year the Junior edition of the Continental Championships were able to take place in Oceania due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, therefore it was a delight to welcome some of the top junior talent from across the continent to Auckland Badminton Stadium.
In the history of the Continental Championships (Open and Junior), a player outside of Australia and New Zealand has yet to win an individual or team gold medal. Therefore, the new Pacific Under 15 initiative aims to develop talent which can break the mould, level the competitive balance and achieve the ambitious milestone in the long term.
Learning how important the experience of playing in an international competition are to the players and coaches, we captured some of the top quotes form the weekend:
How are you feeling with your performances so far?
“I’m happy, I think it did well – I’ve played better than I have at home in Saipan”, says Lina (MNP)
“I think my performances were good, but I could do better than I did – because I need more experience playing matches”, says Charmaine (MNP)
“It was actually really good, I’ve really improved & happy with how I played”, says Shaina (MNP)
“It was great to play against other countries, I used my learnings from practice into the games”, says William & Kimi (NCL)
“I think my performances were good, especially having such close matches with Tahiti & New Caledonia”, says Apii (COK)
“We are slowly improving, learning & making friends with the other teams, and learning skills from them as well”, says Joyce (TGA)
“I feel good & happy because it brings our family & friends together & our family cheers lots for us”, Ela (TGA)
What is your highlight of Oceania Champs 2023? (U15 training, tournament)
“Meeting new people, I’ve loved making friends with players from lots of different countries”, says Charmaine (MNP)
“It was fun to meet new people new places & have a challenge on court”, says Lina (MNP)
“The tournament is a highlight because it’s tougher matches than playing at home, everyone we play against is really good”, says Shaina (MNP)
“Playing against Tahiti & Cook Islands”, says William & Kimi (NCL)
“Probably bringing the haka to New Zealand & bringing the vibe an impressing everyone”, says Apii (COK)
“I love coming to New Zealand & playing against the best players it’s a great challenge”, says Kaiyin (COK)
“Meeting new friends from different places around the Pacific”, says Eliakima (COK)
“Every day playing is fun, whether we win or lose, its fun and we are learning a lot. Just because you have a bad day today, doesn’t mean it will be a bad day tomorrow”, says Joyce (TGA)
How will this inspire your year ahead?
“I’m definitely going to play much more, so I can improve more day by day & each month, I’m excited about international tournaments coming to Saipan so I can keep learning”, says Charmaine (MNP)
“I want to come back even better & give a better performance, so when I get home I’m going to practice harder”, says Lina (MNP)
“knowing that I’ve gained experience, I know how tough the competition is and what I need to work on to improve”, Shaina (MNP)
“I am going to train more & better so I can get better & beat them next time”, William & Kimi (NCL)
“it inspires me to keep playing & play more so I can improve & beat Tahiti & New Cal next time”, Apii (COK)
“it inspires me to train hard back at home so I can improve”, Kaiyin (COK)
“it inspires me to train harder, so when we meet again we will be better”, Joyce (TGA)
What are your learnings from this year’s event?
“I’ve learned I need to be more active on court, with my footwork & my shot placement”, Charmaine (MNP)
“I learned that there are levels to this game & the competition is very tough & I need to work harder”, Justin (MNP)
“I’ve learned a better grip, and improved footwork”, Lina (MNP)
“What I’ve learned from this trip is that you can meet new friends, have fun & do your best… and do things that you’ve never done before”, says Shaina (MNP)
“I’ve learned to respect the umpires & other players”, says William & Kimi (NCL)
“To be more active on the court & move around faster”, says Apii (COK)
“You can make friends with your competitors as well, even though you have your differences”, says Joyce (TGA)
Coaches – as a coach what have you enjoyed most about Oceania Champs 2023? (BWF L1, training camp, tournament)
“We learned a lot from the coaching course. The training camp & then the tournament is something you can’t put a price on especially for the players, they get to have a great experience & competition & meeting new people and these are things that will stick with them for a lifetime”, says Ezekiel (MNP)
“Overall it’s a great experience, and we’re excited to take this knowledge that we gained & apply it back home to badminton in CNMI. We’re really thankful for the opportunity.”, says Nate (MNP)
“Being able to coach in pressure situations, testing yourself & your players under pressure. Putting practice & what I’ve learned into game situations, and watching the kids learn & grow & seeing the fight in their eyes”, says Danny (COK)
“Seeing the kids meeting new friends & learning from each other”, says Leo (TAH)
“The feeling of getting back, it’s been a long tough few years for Tonga & its great to be back at International competition – with this new young group that have only been training for 6 months”, says Sione (TGA)
“The camaraderie, to meet people from other countries in the Pacific – meeting new players & improving their skills & learn from new friends, to know what we have to improve on, especially for our very young players. It’s very good for our young players to play against new players & give them more motivation. Now they’ve seen the level & if they want to win more matches they have to improve. It’s good for them to see the higher-level players, watching the finals”, says Johanna (NCL)
