Badminton New Zealand is proud to announce the players selected for our U15 Development Squad and U17 & U19 Performance Squad. This talented group will kick off their year with high-performance training camps in January, before stepping into the NZ Junior Badminton League and a series of development camps throughout the season. Their selection recognises both potential and commitment, and we’re excited to support their growth as they take the next steps on their badminton journey.

2026 Under 15 Development Squad

• Alex Zhang (WKO)
• Kingsley Li (WN)
• Tyler Dreaver (AK)
• Martin Gao (NH)
• Aaron Duan (WEL)
• Jayson Yang (WKO)
• Ethan Yu (NH)
• Elliot Leung (AK)
• Daniel Andrew (WKO)
• Jeremy Zhang (WN)
• Marco Sun (CAN)
• Alex Chen (NH)
• Leon Li (NH)
• Ian Chen (WN)
• Lucas Ziwen Ly (NH)
• Jason Liang (NH)
• Angela Diao (WKO)
• Jennie Liang (NH)
• Jana Priya Krishnakumar (NH)
• Anna Lu (NH)
• Amy Zhang (NH)
• Hannah Shang (WKO)
• Xinen (Anna) Xu (NH)
• Enaayat Enaayat (AK)
• Dina Lei (AK)
• Alina Li (CM)
• Oliva Yew (WKO)
• Katrina Huang (CAN)
• Hailey Lei (NH)
• Suksehaj Kaur (CAN)
• Sheena Li Wenxi (NH)
• Yu Chen (Bella) Bai (NH)

Invited to the January Camp only:

• Ray Gao (CAN)
• Isaac Liu (AK)
• Kaylee Chan (CM)

Coaches: Tracey Hallam, Cici Xie, Angus Crawford, Chris Sharrock

2026 Under 17 & 19 Performance Squad

• Jay Xuan Tan (CAN)
• Ansen Bee (BOP)
• Tony Yu (NH)
• Alvin To Kan Han (NH)
• Lucas Qin (WKO)
• Michael Hui (NH)
• Jason Shiqi Tong (NH)
• Eason Lei (CM)
• Larry Li (NH)
• Vincent Xu (NH)
• Leo Xu (NH)
• Ben Rambaud (CM)
• Rosie Yang (AK)
• Josephine Zhao (NH)
• Natalie Ting (NH)
• Josie Lee (WKO)
• Olivia Yang (WTK)
• Yanxi Liu (NH)
• Justreen Soriano (WTK)
• Emmy Xu (NH)
• Rebecca Zhang (NH)
• Selena Wu (NH)
• Rina Kim (CAN)
• Amy Wang (NH)

Reserves:

• Caleb Lim (BOP)
• Zooni Ahuja (CAN)

Coaches: Nick Chambers, Oliver Leydon-Davis, Ken Yew

Badminton New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Hamilton as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 9 February 2026.

Claire brings over 20 years of experience across the sports and events sector, with senior leadership roles in Auckland Basketball Services, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, New Zealand Football, and national youth development pathways. She has a strong track record in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, governance, and building high-performance environments.

Badminton New Zealand Board Chair, Ravi Nyayapati, said Claire’s appointment marks an important step forward for the organisation. 

“Claire brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to community and high-performance sport. We are confident she will provide the leadership needed to drive our next phase of growth and delivery.”

The Board also acknowledges outgoing interim Chief Executive Jane Patterson, ONZM for her leadership and stability for the organisation.

Claire will begin her role in February and will lead the implementation of Badminton New Zealand’s new Statement of Strategic Direction.

For further information, please contact:  office@badminton.org.nz

At 91 years young, Waihi’s Milly Culton is stepping down from her role leading Wednesday Morning Badminton after more than 65 years of volunteering across her community.

Milly’s story is a remarkable testament to the power of volunteering and the difference one person can make.

A Lifetime of Service

Born and raised in Waihi, Milly has given her time generously across countless community groups. She was awarded an Outstanding Community Service Award by the Hauraki District Council in 2017, is a Life Member of both the Waihi Tennis Club and the Waihi A & P Show, and has been a central figure in everything from athletics to highland dancing to Meals on Wheels.

Alongside her husband Jimmy, Milly organised the Waihi Junior Athletic Club, often loading buses full of local children to travel around the Hauraki District. For over 65 years she also organised the highland dancing at the Waihi A & P Show, after a successful career as a competitive dancer herself.

Bringing Badminton to Waihi

Milly’s connection to badminton began in 1969, when a group of women from the local tennis community decided to “give badminton a go” over winter. Just 24 women turned up at the Old Waihi Drill Hall that first week, and only two had ever played before.

From that moment, Milly became the organiser and driving force of Wednesday Morning Badminton – a role she has held ever since. Whether she was playing, running the draws, recording scores, or organising interclub competitions, Milly made sure the group was welcoming, competitive, and fun.

At its peak, the group had 60 regular players and three divisions of graded interclub competition. Even after she retired from playing herself, Milly continued to organise the mornings, making sure everything ran smoothly. For Milly, Wednesday mornings were non-negotiable – family holidays had to be planned around badminton.

Building Community Beyond the Court

Milly’s leadership extended well beyond organising matches. Under her guidance, Wednesday Morning Badminton raised funds for a new Waihi stadium, donated annually to Waihi St John Ambulance and Starship Hospital, and fostered decades of friendships.

She fondly remembers the camaraderie of “bring a plate” lunches after interclub matches, the laughter of organising teams without mobile phones, and the joy of seeing so many people pick up a racquet thanks to her efforts.

Stepping Down – But Never Forgotten

After more than five decades of leadership, Milly is now handing over the reins. She admits she will miss the contact with players – though perhaps not the early morning winter starts!

Badminton New Zealand extends a heartfelt thank you to Milly Culton. Her passion, generosity, and commitment have not only sustained badminton in Waihi but also inspired generations of volunteers across New Zealand.

Volunteers like Milly remind us that sport is built on community spirit, and that behind every game are people who give their time so others can play.

Thank you, Milly.

The 2025 NZ Tour Finals wrapped up last weekend at Auckland Badminton, bringing together the country’s best emerging and established players for three days of high-quality competition. With athletes from across New Zealand represented, the Finals not only showcased outstanding individual and pair performances, but also highlighted the depth of badminton talent spread across the regions.

From nail-biting deciders to dominant displays, the Finals delivered on every front - capping off another successful year for the NZ Tour.

Mixed Doubles

The mixed doubles final set the tone for what was to be a thrilling day of Finals. Adam Jeffrey (AK) and Laura Lin (AK) edged North Harbour’s Dylan Soedjasa and Justine Villegas 21-19, 22-20 in a match of outstanding quality. With both pairs exchanging leads and refusing to give an inch, the packed crowd was treated to one of the best spectacles of the weekend.

Soedjasa and Villegas had earlier survived a three-game semi-final battle against Harbour compatriots Markis Tew and Natalie Ting, while Jeffrey and Lin had stunned second seeds Vincent Tao and Alyssa Tagle in their semi-final.

Women’s Singles

In an all–North Harbour final, Yanxi Liu emerged champion, overcoming Josephine Zhao 21-17, 21-10. Liu’s consistency and court coverage proved decisive, capping off a strong tournament where she also defeated Auckland’s Coco Zhu in straight games in the semi-final.

Liu and Zhao had faced off earlier in pool play, with Liu making a dramatic comeback to win 9 consecutive points in the third game, defeating Zhao 21-17, 10-21, 21-19. This result pushed Zhao into a tough semi-final against top seed Jenny Zhu, however Zhao emerged victorious to set up the thrilling rematch.

Men’s Singles

Auckland’s Daniel McMillan claimed the men’s singles crown after a gritty three-game final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie. After dropping the first game 14-21, McMillan rallied with precise attacking play to secure the next two 21-15, 21-19.

Benzie had earlier impressed with a hard-fought semi-final win over Wellington North’s Bevan Cox, while McMillan was clinical in dispatching Hawke’s Bay’s Lezhi Zhu in the other semi-final. Earlier in pool play, standout performances included Wellington’s Toby Smith saving multiple match points to edge teammate Alexander Coumbe 22-20 in one of the weekend’s most dramatic encounters.

Women’s Doubles

Auckland–North Harbour duo Laura Lin and Anona Pak were untouchable in the women’s doubles, storming to the title with a 21-9, 21-10 victory over Harbour’s Yanxi Liu and Natalie Ting in the final.

Lin and Pak had been in dominant form all weekend, recording straight-game wins throughout the tournament. Liu and Ting themselves were impressive semi-final winners over Camellia Zhou and Jenny Zhu, but found Lin and Pak too strong in the title clash.

Men’s Doubles

The men’s doubles final saw a dynamic mix of flair and power as Raphael Chris Deloy (WKO) and Adam Jeffrey (AK) combined superbly to defeat Jack Wang (CM) and Lezhi Zhu (HB) 21-12, 21-18.

Deloy and Jeffrey had battled back from a game down in their semi-final against North Harbour’s Chris Benzie and Ricky Cheng, eventually turning the match with sharp net play and aggressive attack. Wang and Zhu also showed great resilience, clawing past Harbour pairing Dylan Soedjasa and Vincent Tao in a thrilling three-game semi-final that went down to the wire at 21-19 in the decider.

A Celebration of the NZ Tour

This year’s NZ Tour Finals once again reinforced the value of the Tour as a platform for competitive development and nationwide engagement. Players from all over New Zealand contributed to a vibrant and competitive environment throughout the season, with a fantastic mix of regional talent progressing into the Finals.

Badminton New Zealand extends its sincere thanks to the technical officials whose expertise ensured smooth and fair play throughout the Finals, and to all the regional hosts of Tour events whose efforts made this national series possible. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of Auckland Council and the Albert-Eden Local Board.

With the Tour Finals now complete, badminton fans can reflect on a season of outstanding performances, new rivalries, and a clear sign that the sport’s future in New Zealand is bright.

Event photos are now available via our online store.

One of New Zealand's most beloved badminton events returns this winter - and it's bigger than ever. The 2025 New Zealand Junior Team Championships (NZJTC) will bring together 92 teams and over 750 young players from across the country, cementing its place as a defining moment in the junior badminton calendar.

Held from 29 June to 2 July, this flagship event is more than just a competition - it's a celebration of teamwork, regional pride, and the future of our sport. With matches played across 43 courts, players aged Under 13 to Under 19 will represent their associations in a spirited battle for national honours.

What’s New in 2025?

To keep pace with the growing scale of the event, match formats for U15 and U17 teams have been refined, with ties now featuring 12 matches instead of 16, a move designed to reduce court-time pressure while also heightening competition between closely matched teams.

This year’s edition will also debut an exciting activation zone, providing fun off-court activities and games - a great way to recharge between matches and connect with players from other regions. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to ensure NZJTC is as enjoyable as it is competitive.

Powered by Partnership

The continued success of the Junior Team Championships wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of Palmerston North City Council, Pub Charity, and FlyPalmy, who help us deliver a world-class experience for players, coaches, and family.

As the event grows, so too does its impact - building friendships, life skills, and unforgettable memories for our next generation of champions. We can’t wait to welcome you to Palmerston North this July for a celebration of youth, sport, and the spirit of badminton.

Where to Watch

The event takes place at CET Arena in Palmerston North from Sunday 29 June to Wednesday 2 July. Spectators are most welcome at all sessions, and entry is free.

If you can't make it to the event, be sure to follow our social channels for updates and photos throughout the week:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Draws and results will be updated continuously as play progresses.

Badminton New Zealand is proud to celebrate the continued growth of our officiating community, with seven umpires recently achieving new qualifications. These milestones represent not only the commitment of each individual but also the growing strength of our national umpire development pathway.

These achievements are the result of dedication, ongoing learning, and countless hours officiating matches at the local and national level. We commend all seven officials for their contribution to badminton in New Zealand.

"Officiating is often a behind-the-scenes role, but it plays a huge part in delivering a fair and professional experience on court. These new and upgraded umpires represent the future of our technical official workforce - diverse, talented, and committed,” says Alec Huang.

Introducing the New Badminton NZ Umpire Coin

To mark the evolution of our officiating programme, Badminton New Zealand has also introduced a newly designed umpire coin - a small but meaningful symbol of pride for those tasked with leading our sport from the chair.

The new coin reflects the refreshed Badminton New Zealand brand and includes a number of special details:

• A bold new design, with teal and black sides to match our colours
• Our vision and founding year etched into the design
• A larger size for improved use in matches

All qualified umpires will be offered the chance to purchase one new coin at a discounted price of $10, with additional coins available for $15 each.

“This coin is a way to recognise the professionalism and pride our umpires bring to every match. It’s a small but powerful statement about who we are and the standards we set,” adds Huang.

As the badminton calendar continues to grow, so too does the need for capable and confident officials. We look forward to supporting our umpiring community with more development opportunities and resources in the year ahead.