Earlier this month, a new wave of talent from Wallis et Futuna landed in Auckland, eager to leave their mark at the Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge.
After their team chant filled the arena, the players buzzed with excitement and nerves. It was first time the French territory had been invited to compete at the Pacific Invitation Team Challenge. Yet from the first point, the athletes proved they were ready to embrace the challenge.
“It’s our first time in a big competition, so we were a bit stressed,” said Noah Likuvalu, Wallis et Futuna team member. “But we just played our own game, so it was very cool.”
And playing their own game worked. Despite the pressure, the team held their ground and scored several wins throughout the competition. Their ability to focus on what they do best—no matter the nerves—made all the difference.
Before the competition began, the team spent three days at a U15 development camp designed to introduce them to higher-level training. The camp united athletes from the region, giving them a chance to improve their skills and connect with other players.
“The camp was cool because we learned new skills,” Likuvalu said. “We don’t have those types of intense trainings, so we really enjoyed ourselves.”
The excitement wasn’t only felt by the players. Their coaches, Jacob and Michelle Halemai, watched with pride as the athletes stepped into a new competitive environment.
“It’s been a really great experience, for the kids, and for myself too,” Jacob said. “It was great to come in and meet other players from other countries. Especially for us, we’re from a small island. We don’t get the chance to get out often enough, and the kids need that for their motivation.”
The learning opportunity for the young Wallis et Futuna team went further than the camp and the gameplay. The players also experienced the full spectrum of what it means to be a competitive athlete. This exposure to a higher level of play was invaluable for the team.
“You’ve got the line judges, the referees, all the officials,” Michelle said. “It allows them to see what it would be like to be in a high-level match and gives them that taste of what’s to come if they keep applying themselves.”
For the Halemais, this trip was about sparking a deeper love for the sport. “We just wanted the kids to have a great experience and go back and talk with their friends about it,” Michelle said. “We want as many people as we can to experience what badminton is.”
Looking ahead, the coaches have big dreams for the team. They hope to establish clear pathways to higher-level competition and begin to build structures to help athletes stay in the sport for the long-term.
Though this competition marked the start of Wallis and Futuna’s international journey, it’s only the beginning. With a fourth-place finish, the players have returned home with a new perspective on what they can achieve with dedication. This experience has opened their eyes to new possibilities, and they are ready for whatever is next.
