A new and exciting addition to this year’s New Zealand Tertiary Badminton Championships was the inclusion of a Secondary School Invitational Team - a move designed to highlight and strengthen the development pathway for emerging players.

Held last weekend, the national tertiary event brought together university teams from across the country in a spirited competition showcasing the depth of badminton talent at the post-secondary level. The Secondary School team, comprised of some of New Zealand’s top young players from Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar School, proved they were more than capable of matching their older counterparts.

Placed in one of the initial round-robin groups, the secondary school side stormed through the group stage with three consecutive tie wins, underlining both their individual skill and team cohesion. Despite being ineligible for the medal playoffs due to invitational status, their results turned heads throughout the venue and reinforced the value of their inclusion.

Following their unbeaten group performance, the team entered the 5th–8th place playoff bracket. They continued their strong form, ultimately finishing 5th overall after securing a final playoff victory. Across the entire weekend, the young squad dropped just five matches - a remarkable feat against older and more experienced opposition.

Further validating the calibre of the secondary school athletes, two players - Markis Tew and Eva Chen - were named in the Tournament Team, an honour reserved for standout performers across all teams. Their selection not only reflects their individual excellence throughout the competition, but also demonstrates the impact that younger athletes can have at higher levels of play when given the opportunity.

Pathway Development in Action

The success of the Secondary School Invitational Team has sparked conversation around the importance of visible and meaningful pathways for junior players. By providing an opportunity to compete in a tertiary-level environment, Badminton New Zealand has demonstrated a commitment to bridging the gap between school-age and university sport - helping to ensure talented young players stay engaged and continue developing beyond secondary school.

Including this team not only gave players a valuable competitive experience, but also allowed tertiary teams and institutions to see first-hand the future of the sport. The initiative serves as a promising blueprint for how to integrate emerging athletes into higher-level competition, fostering stronger connections across all levels of the badminton community.

As the sport continues to grow, opportunities like this are essential to retaining talent, inspiring younger players, and building a more robust high-performance pipeline.

Badminton New Zealand has recognised three outstanding individuals - Daniel Shirley, Rhona Robertson, and Martin Lubransky - for their extraordinary contributions to the sport, and welcomed the esteemed Richard Purser as the organisation's new Patron, at the recently held Annual General Meeting.

Shirley and Robertson were presented with Exceptional Performance awards, while Lubransky was conferred with Life Membership in recognition of his decades of service to badminton.

Daniel Shirley: A Trailblazer

Daniel Shirley remains one of New Zealand’s most decorated and influential badminton athletes. His career-defining moment came in 2005 when he and partner Sara Runesten-Petersen captured a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the IBF World Championships - New Zealand’s only world championship medal to date and a milestone achievement that put New Zealand badminton on the global map.

Shirley also represented New Zealand at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and across three Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002, 2006), he earned a silver and two bronze medals. His fierce competitiveness and tactical excellence made him a force in both men's and mixed doubles.

Regionally, Shirley was dominant across Oceania competitions and consistently ranked among the top in the world. Off the court, his leadership and sportsmanship earned him widespread respect, culminating in the creation of the “Daniel Shirley Sportsmanship Award,” which is presented annually at the Oceania Championships to players who exemplify integrity, humility, and fair play.

Beyond his playing career, Shirley has contributed to the sport in coaching and mentoring roles, and remains an ambassador for badminton’s growth in New Zealand. His exceptional performances, pioneering spirit, and ongoing service have left an indelible mark on the sport.

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Rhona Robertson: Grit, Leadership, and Legacy

Rhona Robertson's badminton journey began at age 9 and blossomed into one of the most impressive international careers in New Zealand badminton history. Her rise through the ranks saw her earn 70 national caps, competing in every Uber Cup from 1988 to 2002, two Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games, and multiple World Championships.

Selected for the New Zealand senior team at just 17, Robertson went on to play No.1 singles and doubles throughout her career. Despite setbacks such as two ACL injuries, she persisted to represent her country at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. A standout moment came at the 1994 Commonwealth Games where she won a singles bronze medal, repeating her success with a doubles bronze (with partner Tammy Jenkins) in 1998 and helping secure team bronze at her final Commonwealth Games in 2002.

Beyond playing, she has continued to give back as a coach, mentor, and trustee of the Jeff & Heather Robson Memorial Badminton Trust. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and leadership—on and off the court.

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Martin Lubransky: Awarded Life Membership

Badminton New Zealand has awarded Life Membership to Martin Lubransky in recognition of his decades of passionate service to the sport across multiple roles and regions.

From his early playing days representing Wellington, Nelson, Auckland, North Harbour, and Marlborough, to holding presidential roles in multiple associations, Lubransky has been a tireless advocate and administrator. He served 13 years on the Badminton New Zealand Board, including three as President, and played a pivotal role as a national selector and convenor of inter-association competitions.

A Level 2 accredited coach, Lubransky has mentored teams at every level, from juniors to masters, with recent success coaching Nelson to return to the Slazenger Cup in 2023. He has represented New Zealand at three World Masters Games, securing multiple team and individual medals.

As a founding trustee of the Badminton New Zealand Development Trust and a long-serving leader in the Mainland Association, his commitment continues to shape the sport nationally and regionally.

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Richard Purser: Patron

Badminton New Zealand is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Purser as its new Patron - a fitting honour for a true icon of the sport.

Purser's career has spanned multiple generations as both an elite international player and a revered coach. He represented New Zealand at four Commonwealth Games and continues to be a cherished figure within the badminton community for his humble leadership, enduring passion, and lifelong advocacy for the sport.

His appointment as Patron not only recognises his exceptional legacy but also symbolises Badminton New Zealand’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its history, while inspiring future generations. Purser’s presence will no doubt continue to elevate the values and vision of the sport he has served for over five decades.

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These honours are more than ceremonial - they reflect lives of excellence, resilience, and leadership. Together, Daniel Shirley, Rhona Robertson, Martin Lubransky, and Richard Purser embody the very best of New Zealand badminton. Their journeys, each unique, have helped shape the sport’s identity in Aotearoa and laid a strong foundation for future generations.

Whether through groundbreaking international success, tireless service and governance, or decades of inspiration and mentorship, each of these individuals has made a profound and lasting impact. As Badminton New Zealand continues to grow and evolve, their legacies serve as both a guiding light and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through dedication, passion, and purpose.

In celebrating these outstanding contributors, Badminton New Zealand not only honours the past but also champions a vision for the future - one where excellence, integrity, and community continue to drive the sport forward.

New Zealand’s national badminton team put on a strong showing at the 2025 VICTOR Oceania Mixed Team Championships, finishing as runners-up after an impressive run to the final. The team secured dominant 5-0 victories over Tahiti, Fiji, and the Cook Islands before falling to Australia in a hard-fought gold medal match.

Dominant Start in Group Play

The Kiwi squad wasted no time asserting themselves in the early rounds, delivering commanding performances against Tahiti, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. These wins highlighted the team’s depth, with every player contributing to the undefeated run to the final.

The tournament also provided valuable experience for Raphael Deloy, Yanxi Liu, and Josephine Zhao, three young talents from New Zealand’s Under 19 Performance Squad, who gained further exposure to high-level international competition.

A Hard-Fought Final Against Australia

Facing off against defending champions Australia in the final, New Zealand fought hard but ultimately fell 5-0 in a series of competitive matches.

• Mixed Doubles – A strong start but a tough finish saw New Zealand lose 21-18, 21-15.
• Men’s Singles – A challenging match ended in a 21-12, 21-12 defeat.
• Women’s Singles – Shaunna Li pushed Australia’s Tiffany Ho to three games before falling 21-19, 18-21, 21-16 in one of the closest contests of the tie.
• Men’s Doubles – Raphael Deloy and Dylan Soedjasa brought plenty of energy to win the first game, but lost a tense match 12-21, 21-14, 21-18.
• Women’s Doubles – The Australian duo proved too strong, winning 21-5, 21-4.

Despite the final score line, the close matches, particularly in the women’s singles and men’s doubles, showcased the team’s competitiveness against Oceania’s top side.

Chief Executive Stephen Nelson reflected on the team's performance.

"We're really proud of our team and their efforts across the week. It's great to see a new generation of players coming though, wearing the fern. Unfortunately, Australia were too strong for us this time - we wish them all the best as they represent our region at the Sudirman Cup."

National Coach Rikke Olsen Siegemund commended the efforts of the team, despite a less than ideal run into the event.

"We've had limited preparation with some players overseas and others struggling with injuries. We did what we could on the day, but to get the win, we really needed to step up as a team. However, it's really promising to see this young team developing well from campaign to campaign."

Looking Ahead to the VICTOR Oceania Championships

There’s little time to rest, as the team now turns its focus to the VICTOR Oceania Championships, which start today. This tournament presents another opportunity for New Zealand’s top players to compete for individual titles and build on the momentum from their team performance.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Kiwi squad takes on Oceania’s best!

Badminton New Zealand is thrilled to announce the launch of its new online shop, a hub for badminton enthusiasts across the country to access high-quality equipment, apparel, and merchandise. More than just a convenient shopping experience, this initiative is driven by a deeper purpose: to nurture the sport’s growth at every level and support the next generation of players.

Supporting Junior Badminton

Proceeds from the online shop will directly benefit the Jeff & Heather Robson Memorial Badminton Trust, which provides much-needed grants to junior players. These grants help aspiring athletes with costs like training and travel to tournaments, ensuring that talented players can pursue their dreams regardless of financial barriers.

“We want to make badminton accessible to everyone, no matter where they are in New Zealand,” says Badminton New Zealand's Commercial Manager Jonathon Stone. “The online shop is a way to give back to the community while also providing players with the tools they need to excel.”

Launch Sale Offers

To celebrate the launch, the shop is offering exclusive deals:

• Buy two, save 30% on Yonex clothing.
• 15% off all rackets.
• Clearance clothing starting at $34.99.

Sale ends Sunday 12 January 2025.

As part of the shop’s launch, Badminton New Zealand is offering a limited-edition 2025 Supporters Shirt. Fans can show their pride for the sport while contributing to its development. Even better, personalisation is available for free on all orders placed before 31 January 2025. Don’t miss this chance to wear your support and make a difference!

A Win-Win for Badminton

Every purchase from the shop contributes to the sport’s development while ensuring players have access to top-tier gear. Whether you’re a casual player or an aspiring professional, this initiative is designed to support you on your badminton journey.

Visit shop.badminton.org.nz today to explore the range and take advantage of the launch sale. Together, we can smash barriers and build a brighter future for badminton in New Zealand.

Badminton New Zealand is proud to announce the selection of our team to compete at the Oceania Mixed Team Championships being held at North Harbour in February 2025. These 10 players have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment, and we congratulate them on their selection. We look forward to watching them represent New Zealand at this prestigious event.

New Zealand Mixed Team

Badminton New Zealand is pleased to announce the talented players who have been selected into our junior squads for the 2025 season. These young players have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and potential, throughout 2024 and this selection represents an exciting step in their journey as they aim to compete at the highest levels of the sport, both nationally and internationally.

New Zealand Under 15 Development Squad

Congratulations to the below players who have been selected into the New Zealand Under 15 Development Squad for 2025. The squad will be coached by Tracey Hallam, Kenneth Yew and Angus Crawford.

New Zealand Under 19 Performance Squad

Congratulations to the below players who have been selected into the New Zealand Under 19 Performance Squad for 2025. The squad will be coached by Rikke Olsen-Siegemund and Nick Chambers.