Meet the team

• Larry Li (North Harbour)
• Ben Rambaud (Counties Manukau)
• Eason Li (Counties Manukau)
• Jay Xuan Tan (Counties Manukau)
• Yanxi Liu (North Harbour)
• Natalie Ting (North Harbour)
• Amy Wang (North Harbour)
• Josephine Zhao (North Harbour)

Five of the eight players come from Badminton North Harbour, and the entire team is drawn from just two associations.

A young team with big results

This is a young team, and there is real quality in it. Amy Wang, Yanxi Liu and Natalie Ting are all senior national champions, with Yanxi also taking the mixed doubles title.

Leading the way in results is Amy, who has already represented New Zealand at the Australian Open Super 300. She is also heading to Dakar with Tony Yu for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Senior team experience runs through the group too. Yanxi, Amy and Josephine were named as junior prospects in New Zealand's Uber Cup squad earlier this year, all having delivered strong performances throughout 2025.

With a squad this young, these players are the future of New Zealand badminton, and Cairo is their chance to show the world.

A historic championship

This edition carries extra significance. It is only the second BWF Major Championship staged in Africa, and the first in 24 years, following South Africa's hosting in 2002.

Indonesia originally held the hosting rights but relinquished them, with the BWF naming Egypt as the new host. Matches will be played at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex, in the 26th edition of the championships.

A fast and unforgiving format

The team event, the Suhandinata Cup, uses a relay scoring system that makes every point count. Each tie is played as best of three sets. In each set, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles each contribute 11 points, building to 55.

Each player or pair hands the score on to the next discipline. A strong performance in one event can carry the whole team, and there is no hiding in any discipline. That depth across all five events will be key for a well-balanced New Zealand side.

The group stage will be tough. New Zealand has been drawn in Group C1 alongside Japan and Denmark. Last year in Guwahati, China claimed the team title with Indonesia runners-up.

After the team event, the players turn their attention to the individual championships.

Support the team

Competing on the world stage is a significant investment for these young athletes and their families. You can support them through their Givealittle pages:

• Natalie Ting
• Yanxi Liu
• Ben Rambaud
• Jay Xuan Tan

Go well in Cairo, team!

Edward Lau has also had an impressive record of Oceania titles, winning the Men's Singles crown in 2022 and 2024, with runner-up finishes in 2023, 2025, and 2026. Leading up to the World Championships, Edward Lau gained not only one but two national champion titles last month at his homeground Badminton North Harbour: Men's Singles Champion and Men's Doubles Champion with Raphael Deloy.

The 2026 BWF World Championships will be held at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi, India, from 17 to 23 August, marking the 30th edition of the tournament and the first time it has returned to India in 17 years.

Together, Edward and Shaunna have also twice finished runner-up in Oceania Mixed Doubles, in 2024 and 2025.

Edward Lau will be facing Ng Ka Long Angus from Hong Kong in Men's Singles.

Shaunna Li will be facing Dounia Pelupessy from Switzerland in Women's Singles.

The pair will be playing Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson from Scotland in mixed doubles. This will be a rematch from last year's World Championships.

We look forward to seeing Edward and Shaunna play. Go Kiwis!

Amy Wang (North Harbour) continued her impressive form, progressing through the group stage to secure a place in the Championship Quarterfinals for positions 1-8.

Amy started the tournament with victories over Denmark’s Lærke Mouritsen (17-15, 15-5) and Japan’s Chinari Kuronuma (15-7, 15-11), before taking on Thailand’s Pornchanok Chumarj (8-15, 9-15). Her strong performances earned her a quarterfinal clash against Japan’s Yubuki Azumaya, where she narrowly missed out on a place in the semifinals, falling 15-11, 14-16, 10-15 in a closely contested match.

Ben Rambaud (Counties) made an encouraging Shonai debut, competing in several hard-fought matches throughout the tournament. He produced a determined comeback victory over Esteyban Sainthuile T, recovering from one game down to win 8-15, 15-12, 15-11.

Ben also faced Malaysia’s Haw Wen Hoven Soon (15-8, 7-15, 8-15) and Japan’s Osuke Takahata (5-15, 8-15) during the group stage before advancing to the 9-16 playoff quarterfinals. There, he delivered an impressive performance to defeat Scotland’s Calum Tsang 15-7, 15-2 and secure his place in the semifinals. Ben’s tournament concluded with a narrow 15-13, 15-13 semifinal loss to Australia’s Chen Qiu, capping off a strong first appearance at Shonai.

While the competition has come to an end, the experience is far from over.

The New Zealand team will now head to a training camp with Futaba Future School, where they will continue to develop their skills alongside international players and coaches. The camp provides another valuable opportunity for learning, cultural exchange, and player development beyond the tournament environment.

Badminton New Zealand extends its sincere thanks to Badminton Oceania for making this opportunity possible. Their continued support of international development experiences plays an important role in helping New Zealand’s emerging athletes grow both on and off the court.

We look forward to seeing Amy and Ben make the most of the training camp as they continue their Shonai journey and bring home valuable experiences to support their future development.

Representing New Zealand are Amy Wang (North Harbour) and Ben Rambaud (Counties), accompanied by coach Kenneth Yew.

Amy heads to Japan in excellent form after a solid performance at the 2026 New Zealand U19 National Championships, where she claimed the Women’s Singles title and finished runner-up in the Women’s Doubles alongside Josephine Zhao. Returning to Shonai for a second consecutive year, Amy will be looking to build on last year’s impressive campaign, where she advanced to the Championship quarterfinals.

“I’m feeling really honoured and excited to be able to represent New Zealand and play against top players from different countries.”

Ben will make his Shonai debut after earning selection to represent New Zealand in the junior international event. The tournament provides a great opportunity for young athletes to compete against some of the world’s strongest junior players while gaining international experience both on and off the court.

For Kenneth Yew, the trip marks his third visit to Shonai as New Zealand’s coach. Drawing on his previous experiences, he is looking forward to helping Amy and Ben make the most of the opportunity.

“I’m honoured to be heading back to Shonai again this year. The last two trips have given me a great perspective on where we sit compared to some of the world’s strongest badminton nations. It was clear how vital preparation, mental toughness, and tactical awareness are to success, so I’m looking forward to drawing on those experiences to help Ben and Amy perform at their very best.”

Follow Badminton New Zealand’s social media channels throughout the week as Amy and Ben compete at the 2026 U16 Shonai International Invitational in Japan. Match updates, photos, and daily recaps will be shared throughout the event.

Begins with Dominant Performances and Early Statements

The opening day of the 2026 Wisden Cup delivered a mix of commanding victories and tightly contested encounters as associations from across New Zealand battled for early supremacy.

North Harbour, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Wellington North, Otago and Waitakere all took to the courts on Thursday, with several teams making immediate statements in their opening fixtures of the qualifcation round. North Harbour 1, Auckland 1, North Harbour 2, Counties Manukau 1 and Waikato 1 each secured 12-0 victories, showcasing impressive depth across all disciplines and setting the benchmark for the competition.

As the intense qualification came to an end, we saw our 12 association teams split into their respective Wisden and Slazenger Cup round robin pools

Slazenger Cup Highlights:

As the day progressed, matches became increasingly competitive. Wellington North 1 produced a dominant performance to defeat Wellington North 2 by an 11-1 margin, while Waikato 2 and Otago battled fiercely in a closely contested tie. With Waikato 2 ultimately claiming the 6-6 encounter on game difference. Counties Manukau 2 also continued its strong start to the tournament, overcoming Auckland 2 by 8-4 through a consistent team effort across the tie.

Wisden Cup Highlights:

An all-Harbour encounter saw North Harbour 1 defeat North Harbour 2 by 9-3, further highlighting the association's depth across its squads. Counties Manukau 1 then secured one of the tightest results of the day, overcoming Waitakere 7-5 in a closely fought tie, while Auckland 1 rounded out the session with a convincing 9-3 victory over Waikato 1 to remain among the tournament's early pace-setters.

Day One - Qualification Results:

• North Harbour 1 def. Counties Manukau 2, 12-0
• Auckland 1 def. Waikato 2, 12-0
• North Harbour 2 def. Wellington North 2, 12-0
• Counties Manukau 1 def. Otago, 12-0
• Waitakere def. Wellington North 1, 10-2
• Waikato 1 def. Auckland 2, 12-0

Slazenger Cup Results:

• Wellington North 1 def. Wellington North 2, 11-1
• Auckland 2 lost to Counties Manukau 2, 4-8
• Waikato 2 def. Otago, 6-6

Wisden Cup Results:

• North Harbour 1 def. North Harbour 2, 9-3
• Counties Manukau 1 def. Waitakere, 7-5
• Auckland 1 def. Waikato 1, 9-3

With several associations already showing strong form, the race for the 2026 Wisden Cup is shaping up to be highly competitive. As teams head into the second day of competition, every tie and every match will continue to play a crucial role in determining who remains in contention for the coveted title.

Day two Highlights:

Wisden Cup:

The Wisden Cup continued to take shape across both rounds, with North Harbour emerging as the standout association of the day. North Harbour 1 opened with an 11-1 victory over Waikato 1 before following up with a flawless 12-0 win against Counties Manukau 1, while North Harbour 2 recorded convincing victories over Waitakere (9-3) and Waikato 1 (10-2). Auckland 1 suffered a 4-8 defeat to Counties Manukau 1 in the morning before came back in the in the afternoon defeating Waitakere 8-4. With a series of commanding performances, both North Harbour and Auckland strengthened their positions as the tournament progressed.

Slazenger Cup:

The Slazenger Cup produced several closely contested ties throughout the day, with teams trading valuable points in a highly competitive field. Wellington North 1 started strongly with a 10-2 victory over Waikato 2, while Auckland 2 and Counties Manukau 2 recorded solid 9-3 wins over Wellington North 2 and Otago respectively. The afternoon session saw Counties Manukau 2 edge Wellington North 1 by 7-5 and Auckland 2 claim an identical victory over Otago, while Waikato 2 narrowly defeated Wellington North 2 in a 6-6 tie, prevailing on game difference. With multiple teams producing strong performances, the standings remain finely balanced as teams prepare for last day of competition.

Day Two Wisden Results:

• North Harbour 1 def. Waikato 1, 11-1
• North Harbour 2 def. Waitakere, 9-3
• Counties Manukau 1 def. Auckland 1, 8-4
• Auckland 1 def. Waitakere, 8-4
• North Harbour 2 def. Waikato 1, 10-2
• North Harbour 1 def. Counties Manukau 1, 12-0

Day Two Slazenger Results:

• Auckland 2 def. Wellington North 2, 9-3
• Wellington North 1 def. Waikato 2, 10-2
• Counties Manukau 2 def. Otago, 9-3
• Counties Manukau 2 def. Wellington North 1, 7-5
• Auckland 2 def. Otago, 7-5
• Waikato 2 def. Wellington North 2, 6-6 (game difference)

Day Three Highlights

Wisden Cup:

The final round of Wisden Cup pool play delivered several decisive results as teams pushed for strong finishes. North Harbour 1 continued its dominant run through the competition, recording back-to-back 12-0 victories over Waitakere and Auckland 1 to cement its position at the top of the standings. Counties Manukau 1 secured an important 9-3 win over Waikato 1, while North Harbour 2 narrowly defeated Auckland 1 by 7-5 in one of the closest ties of the round. North Harbour 2 ultimately claiming the 7-5 result against Counties Manukau 1 to round out a strong campaign.

Slazenger Cup:

The Slazenger Cup produced another day of competitive badminton, highlighted by several closely contested encounters. Wellington North 1 opened with a 9-3 victory over Otago, while Counties Manukau 2 recorded a 10-2 results against Wellington North 2. In the later round, Otago responded with a convincing 10-2 win over Wellington North 2, while Counties Manukau 2 overcame Waikato 2 by 8-4. Auckland 2 recorded a strong 9-3 victory over Waikato 2 before falling 8-4 to Wellington North 1 in its final tie of the day.

Final Standings:

Links:

Follow draws and results: https://badminton.org.nz/event/wisden-and-slazenger-cup-2026/

More Photos: https://photos.badminton.org.nz/wisdenandslazengercup2026/

This important national gathering focused on building capability, aligning programme delivery, and developing the workforce that underpins badminton’s grassroots growth across Aotearoa.

Aligning and Strengthening Shuttle Time Delivery

The first two days of the workshop followed a structured conference format, focused on collaboration, alignment and knowledge sharing.

Day one set the tone with a strong emphasis on nationalising the Bronze, Silver and Gold Shuttle Time programmes. Through a combination of presentations, group work and discussion, Associations explored how to deliver these programmes consistently across the country while still responding to local needs.

A key focus area was Shuttle Time Inclusion, ensuring coaches and deliverers are equipped with the tools to create fun, safe and engaging environments for all young people. This session reinforced the importance of accessibility and adaptability in growing participation.

The day also highlighted the shared roles and responsibilities across the network, with valuable input from Badminton Oceania, reinforcing the connection between regional delivery and international best practice.

Day two continued this momentum, with a focus on developing Youth Technical Officials through the integration of the Technical Officials Junior Award into Shuttle Time programmes. Participants also explored sponsorship opportunities, shared on-court best practice, and consolidated key learnings and action points to take back to their regions.

Building the Shuttle Time Workforce

The final two days shifted to the delivery of the National Shuttle Time Tutor Course, a critical component in expanding badminton’s development workforce.

This course is designed to qualify Shuttle Time Tutors, who play a vital role in training Shuttle Time Teachers and Youth Leaders within their local Associations. By increasing the number of qualified tutors, Badminton New Zealand is strengthening its ability to scale high-quality programme delivery nationwide.

Participants engaged in both theoretical and practical learning, covering tutor responsibilities, facilitation techniques, and approaches to mentoring and assessing new deliverers. The course emphasised consistency, quality assurance, and the ability to confidently train others - key factors in ensuring sustainable growth of Shuttle Time.

A Collective Effort

Workshops of this scale and impact rely on strong collaboration and support. Badminton New Zealand extends sincere thanks to Pelorus Trust for their funding support, which helped make this event possible.

We also acknowledge Badminton Waitakere for hosting the workshop and providing an excellent venue, and Badminton Oceania for their presence and contribution to the delivery of the programme.

Looking Ahead

The National Shuttle Time Tutor Workshop represents a significant step forward in strengthening badminton’s grassroots foundation. With regional representatives now better equipped to lead, train and inspire in their communities, the impact of this workshop will be felt across schools, clubs and communities throughout New Zealand.

By investing in people, capability and connection, Badminton New Zealand continues to build a more aligned, inclusive and sustainable future for Shuttle Time - ensuring more young people can experience and love badminton for life.

These shuttles are based on proven international RSL designs, with careful refinements to ensure outstanding performance, stability, and durability in New Zealand's playing conditions. As the official shuttles for all Badminton New Zealand national events, they provide a consistent experience from local club nights right through to elite national competitions.

RSL Gold: Precision for Every Player

Made with high-grade goose feathers, the RSL Gold delivers stable and accurate flight, making it the perfect choice for club play, regional competitions, and junior pathways.

• Official shuttle for all Badminton New Zealand Junior National events
• Recommended for regional inter-association competitions and local tournaments

Clubs and associations can confidently adopt RSL Gold to support player development while aligning with national standards.

RSL Black: Premium Quality for Elite Competition

The RSL Black features premium-grade goose feathers for superior durability, enhanced flight consistency, and top-level performance.

• Recommended for A Grade and elite competition
• Official shuttle for all Badminton New Zealand Senior National events

This model empowers our top athletes to train and compete with the same equipment trusted at the highest levels in New Zealand.

A Partnership That Gives Back

By choosing RSL Gold or RSL Black, you’ll be helping to fund player development and aspirations across the country for years to come, with 50c from every tube being donated to the Jeff & Heather Robson Memorial Badminton Trust.

Founded in honour of Jeff and Heather Robson – two of New Zealand badminton's most influential figures – the Trust delivers essential grants to talented players nationwide. These contributions help to remove barriers and unlock potential for athletes pursuing national and global success. In doing so, it sustains the growth of the sport at every level, turning individual aspirations into lasting achievements for badminton in New Zealand.

With RSL as our Official Shuttlecock Partner, we're strengthening the foundation of badminton in New Zealand – delivering world-class consistency and giving back to the community. Stock arrives mid-April, so clubs, coaches, and competition organisers are encouraged to prepare now.

To request a quote or place an order, contact RSL directly at: rslnz1928@gmail.com

Supported by Badminton Waitakere, in particular, their Masters’ Committee, the initiative is designed to directly assist emerging athletes with the cost of training and competing at the highest level – especially those set to represent New Zealand at the BWF World Junior Championships.

The Invitational Tournament will be delivered in August as part of a national training camp, providing members of the New Zealand U17 & U19 Performance Squad with intense competition to sharpen their skills ahead of the World Championships.

The three-year agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the junior pathway and ensuring talented young players are better supported as they progress towards world-level competition.

Paul Shirley of Waitakere Badminton said the initiative reflects the Masters community’s desire to give back to the sport.

“Many of our Masters players have enjoyed decades in badminton, and we recognise the sacrifices young athletes and their families make to compete at the highest level. This initiative is about backing the next generation in a practical way.”

Donna Trow of Badminton New Zealand said the partnership represents a powerful example of collaboration within the badminton community.

“International junior campaigns require significant investment, and initiatives like this make a real difference. We’re incredibly grateful to Waitakere’s Masters’ Committee for their leadership and generosity. This support strengthens our junior programme and provides meaningful recognition for athletes striving to represent New Zealand with pride.”

Further details on the Invitational Tournament will be confirmed closer to the event.

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.

Cover Photo: Badminton Oceania / Paul Foxall

After both teams progressed through the group stage undefeated, the final promised to be a tightly contested battle — and it did not disappoint.

Edward Lau Sets the Tone

Edward Lau stepped onto court first and immediately set the scene by putting the first point on the board for New Zealand. After a shaky start, Edward settled into the match and showed composure under pressure, defeating Jack Yu in three games, 16–21, 21–18, 21–18.

The early lead gave New Zealand strong momentum heading into the doubles.

Deloy / Jeffrey Deliver a Nail-Biter

Raphael Deloy and Adam Jeffrey produced one of the most dramatic matches of the night. Facing Andika Ramadiansyah and Frederick Zhao, the Kiwi pair found themselves trailing late in the third game before mounting a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive points to level the score at 18-all.

From there, it was neck-and-neck. Eventually, Australia edged ahead 23–21 to level the tie at 1–1.

Gruelling Singles Battle

Chris Benzie then took to court in what became a physically demanding singles encounter. Both players pushed their limits in a high-intensity battle, with long rallies and relentless pressure from both sides. It was a strong effort from Benzie, but Australia managed to gain the upper hand to take a 2–1 lead.

Doubles Rematch Seals the Tie

With the score at 2–1, Dylan Soedjasa returned to court for a crucial men’s doubles clash — a rematch of sorts from his individual finals campaign — this time partnering Vincent Tao. The Kiwi pair fought hard in an attempt to level the tie, but Australia’s combination proved strong, closing the match 21–18, 21–17 and securing the decisive third point.

Cheng Fights Until the End

Although the tie was sealed, Ricky Cheng continued to show tremendous fighting spirit in the final match against Oceania champion Shrey Dhand. Cheng pushed hard and kept the pressure on, but Dhand eventually closed the contest 23–21, 21–17 to complete the 4–1 result.

While the outcome did not fall New Zealand’s way, the men demonstrated resilience and fight throughout the campaign.

Badminton New Zealand is incredibly proud of the Thomas Cup team and the way they represented the country on home soil.

Cover Photo: Badminton Oceania / Paul Foxall