Kiwis Storm into Quarterfinals at Northern Marianas International Series

It was a standout Day 3 for Team New Zealand at the Northern Marianas International Series, with multiple players advancing into the quarterfinals across several categories.

Mixed Doubles

New Zealand’s mixed doubles pair Raphael Deloy and Yanxi Liu delivered a convincing performance against Australia’s Phillip Halim and Faye Huo, cruising to a 21-14, 21-13 victory to secure their quarterfinals spot.

Joining them in the quarterfinals are fellow Kiwis Eric Lu and Josephine Zhao, who defeated Guam’s Allan Zeng and Kristine Deng with 21-6 and 21-8.

Men’s Doubles

Fresh off their gold at the 2025 VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships, Raphael Deloy and Lezhi Zhu continued their winning streak, moving into the quarterfinals after another solid performance.

Women’s Doubles

Back in action, Yanxi Liu and Josephine Zhao teamed up for the women’s doubles and defeated Cook Islands’ Arihoia Sprague-Marsters and Lana Toa 21-10, 21-5. This win marks their second event quarterfinals appearance this week.

New Zealand juniors continue to deliver strong performances across multiple events, and we look forward to watching their growth on the international stage.

What’s Next?

Quarterfinal matches begin tomorrow morning, followed by the semifinals in the afternoon at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym in Saipan. With strong Kiwi representation in the draw, New Zealand will have plenty to support at the tournament.

New Zealand’s Raphael Deloy and Lezhi Zhu have been named the Men's Doubles Champion at the 2025 VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships, capping off a strong tournament campaign with a confident performance in the final.

After days of competition in Saipan, the pair stood tall on finals day, showcasing composure, chemistry, and strategic play on court to secure the gold medal for New Zealand.

Reflecting on the win, Raphael Deloy shared his excitement:

“It feels amazing to win the Oceania Junior Championship. I’ve prepared since the start of this year to be able to achieve a really good outcome out of this tournament. So I’m really happy.”

His partner, Lezhi Zhu, spoke about the mindset that carried him through the pressure moments of the final:

“I think throughout the match I just told myself ‘composure’ over and over again – and it worked out.”

This victory is a sign that the future is bright for New Zealand badminton, with rising stars like Raphael and Lezhi leading the way. We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible win with the pair and can’t wait to see how they perform next at the Northern Marianas International Series, where they’ll take on the challenge of competing in an Open International tournament.

The journey continues - and we’re cheering every step of the way.

Saipan, Northern Marianas — New Zealand’s junior team delivered a dominant performance on Day 1 of the VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships 2025, winning both of their ties with convincing 5-0 victories over Tahiti and Cook Islands. 🇳🇿🏸

The Oceania Championships is one of the first junior tournaments globally to trial the proposed format of the event and the new scoring system. The young Kiwis showed great composure and teamwork as they adapted to the tournament’s new scoring format, which sees all matches played best of 3 games to 15 points. The fast-paced system has created exciting matches with quick shifts in momentum.

Speaking after Day 1, New Zealand’s Lezhi Zhu said:

“The team performed really well today and pushed through every challenge. A highlight was seeing how the new 15 points format can go by so quickly. ”

With two strong wins in the books, New Zealand now looks ahead to Day 2, where they will face off against Fiji and host nation Northern Mariana Islands. The team will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run and continue building momentum as the tournament progresses.

The team event continues through June 10, after which the players will shift their focus to the Individual Championships, running from June 12–15.

Stay tuned as we follow the journey of this exciting young squad as they take on the best of Oceania!

The 2024 World Junior Mixed Team Championships features a group stage followed by a final stage that determines the overall team rankings. Each team tie consists of 10 matches (two men’s singles, two women’s singles, two men’s doubles, two women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles) played under a unique relay scoring system, where teams compete to reach 110 points.

Key highlights of the relay system:

• The first match is played to 11 points (change ends at 6).
• The second match begins with the score from the first, but the losing side starts with at least 5 points.
• Each subsequent match is played to the next 11 points, with the trailing side starting with their actual score or a multiple of 5 (whichever is higher) - a minimum of 5 for the first match, 10 for the second match, 15 for the third match and so on)
• The 10th match finishes when one player/pair reaches 110 points to win the tie.

This dynamic format makes for a fast-paced, strategic competition, with no player allowed to compete in more than 4 matches, keeping things fresh and intense.

Pre-Match Draw Procedure and Match Order Explained

Before each team tie at the World Junior Mixed Team Championships, a draw will be conducted between the team managers. This draw will determine the order of the matches to be played. Here’s how the process works:

• The first five matches in the tie must cover one of each discipline: Men's Singles (MS), Women's Singles (WS), Men's Doubles (MD), Women's Doubles (WD), and Mixed Doubles (XD).
• The winner of the draw gets to select the first and third matches.
• The opposing team selects the second and fourth matches.
• The remaining match that hasn't been chosen will be played as the fifth match.

Once the first five matches are decided, the remaining matches (from six to 10) will follow the same order as the initial five matches, creating a consistent flow and balance in the competition.

This system ensures a strategic approach to the match order and adds an extra layer of excitement as the teams compete in different events throughout the tie! Stay tuned to see how the draw plays out and what tactics each team employs!

Tune in to watch and support Team New Zealand! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more frequent updates.

Read a more detailed explanation of the new scoring system on the official BWF website (here)

Live scores and updates available on tournament software!

In the recent months, Badminton New Zealand has happily welcomed Camellia Zhou as an intern to help her in the field of Sports Management. Throughout her internship, she has been a valuable asset, contributing her skills and knowledge for badminton and applying it to various events, including the 2023 Junior New Zealand Badminton League. Camellia's experience sheds light on the opportunities internships provide for students to gain practical knowledge and insights of running a national sporting organisation.

During her time with Badminton New Zealand, Camellia actively participated in the behind-the-scenes operations of organising events. From overseeing sanctioned events, delivering the Junior New Zealand Badminton League and discussing future national events, Camellia's contributions were valued in creating a positive experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.

"I have gained practical skills, such as effective communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and organisation, which are highly transferable and applicable to various professional contexts."

Camellia Zhou

One of the highlights of Camellia's internship was her involvement in delivering the Junior New Zealand Badminton League. This premier event showcased the exceptional talent of young badminton players and provided a platform for their growth and development. Working closely with the organising team, Camellia actively contributed to the event's success by coordinating match schedules, managing the teams, and ensuring a vibrant and engaging experience for all involved.

Camellia's internship experience highlights the value that internships offer to students. It provides them with firsthand exposure to the processes of a national sporting organisation, offering insights into event management, stakeholder engagement, and challenges faced in delivering successful sporting events. Through this experience, Camellia gained practical knowledge, sharpened her organisational skills, and developed a deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts required to deliver events.

"My experience as an intern at Badminton New Zealand working alongside the events coordinating team has been incredibly rewarding."

Camellia Zhou

Badminton New Zealand enjoyed having Camellia as part of the team and recognises the potential in developing young talent. The organisation is committed to providing more opportunities for youth to engage in internships and gain valuable experiences within the sport.

Let us join together to celebrate a momentous milestone as the New Zealand Junior Team Championships (previously known as the North Island Team Champs) proudly enters its 40th year!

For generations, this event has been the pinnacle of excitement for junior players, and it is that time of the year again where we celebrate this remarkable occasion. For 40 years, aspiring juniors from all around the country have come together, proudly representing their associations, embarking on memorable journeys, forging new friendships, and creating lifelong memories along the way.

NZJTC has evolved throughout the years and it has become known as a crucial stepping stone for young talent, providing a platform for both budding beginners and high-performing athletes to shine. It is an exceptional opportunity for newcomers to learn from experienced players, honing their skills while immersing themselves in the vibrant badminton community.

Richard Skarott, a Manawatu representative and one of the pillars of the event, succinctly captures the essence of the long-standing event, acknowledging how everyone “values the contacts and friendships made over the years. It’s fantastic to see players go on to be integral parts of their association teams or to higher honours.”

Over the decades, the venue has also undergone many changes, from a rubber compound on concrete to sprung wooden floors, and expanding the capacity to accommodate the growing demand. With an impressive 24 courts in regular use and a staggering 38 courts for this year, Palmerston North continues to raise the bar for excellence.

Behind this grand event stands an extraordinary team of dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been involved for over 30 years. Among them, Janice Cudby has served in various roles such as Treasurer, Event Director, President, and now Referee.

Janice and her fellow volunteers share a deep passion for nurturing young talents and witnessing their growth in the sport as they progress through the age groups. Despite the challenges faced over the years, from snowstorms to leaking roofs and even the unforeseen impacts of Covid, the spirit of the event perseveres.

Janice remarks, “The show must go on,” and with a wealth of experience and resilience, the team stands ready to overcome any obstacles that may arise.

The legacy of NZJTC extends beyond the players themselves. As Donna Haliday, a Commonwealth Games representative, former NZJTC participant turned coach, beautifully puts it,

“Palmerston North was always the highlight of the year. I loved having the opportunity to play the sport I love for a whole week while at the same time having fun.”

Today, as a coach, Donna finds immense joy in witnessing players develop, gain confidence, and strive for excellence. The cycle continues as these former players embrace coaching roles, passing on their knowledge and passion to the next generation.

Known to everyone as “Palmy,” this event holds a special place in the hearts of all those who have experienced its magic.

“The fact that it has remained as a fundamental part of the National Calendar for 40 years is probably the best testament to the event, affectionately known as Palmy.”

Richard Skarott

Let us honour the rich history of the New Zealand Junior Team Championships, where talent thrives, friendships are forged, and unforgettable moments are created. Let’s celebrate this milestone together, playing hard and supporting each other as we experience another exhilarating chapter in the remarkable journey of junior badminton in Palmerston North.

As Halliday advises, “focus on your strengths, learn from your losses, and above all, savour every moment of this extraordinary event.”