New Zealand’s women produced a determined and competitive performance in the final of the 2026 VICTOR Oceania Women’s Team Championships, finishing runners-up to Australia in a 4–1 result in Auckland.
Both teams entered the final unbeaten in the group stage, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
Shaunna Li Sets the Tone
Shaunna Li opened the final with confidence and composure, delivering a convincing win in her rematch against Tiffany Ho, 21–13, 21–19. Shaunna’s performance put New Zealand ahead early and set a strong tone for the tie.
Amy Wang Shows Fight
In the second singles, Amy Wang faced Australia’s Faye Huo. Amy battled hard and stayed competitive throughout, but Australia managed to close out the match to level the tie at 1–1.
Promising Start from Zhao
Josephine Zhao showed great promise in her singles encounter, leading in both games at different stages. Despite her strong starts and aggressive play, Australia fought back to secure the match and take a 2–1 lead.
Ting / Zhou Push Olympian Pair
The doubles clash provided one of the most thrilling moments of the night. Scratch pair Natalie Ting and Camellia Zhou took on Olympian Gronya Somerville and partner Faye Huo in a high-quality three-game battle.
The Kiwi pair pushed the Australians all the way, with momentum swinging back and forth and the crowd fully engaged. Despite the spirited effort, Australia edged ahead to claim the third point and secure qualification for the Uber Cup.
Li / Lin Close Out the Tie
Shaunna Li returned to court alongside Laura Lin for the final doubles match, facing Angela Yu and Jesslyn Carrisia. The New Zealand pair fought strongly and looked to add another point to the tally, but Australia narrowly edged the contest to complete the 4–1 result.
While the titles remained with Australia, New Zealand’s women demonstrated composure, competitiveness, and belief throughout the Championships. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, the Uber Cup team showed encouraging signs for the future.
Badminton New Zealand is extremely proud of the effort shown by both the men’s and women’s teams. Competing at this level on home soil is a privilege, and the performances throughout the week highlight the continued growth of New Zealand badminton.
Onwards and upwards. 🇳🇿🏸