Updated: 4th May 2022
New Zealand has withdrawn their team from the BWF Thomas Cup Finals, due to start later this week in Bangkok.
During the recent Oceania Championships, and in the subsequent days after this event, several New Zealand players have tested positive for COVID-19. This has resulted in a severely depleted team, with the possibility of additional positive cases detected upon arrival in Thailand. The difficult decision to withdraw the team was made, considering all factors, and putting player welfare at the forefront of our thinking. We are focused on supporting the remaining New Zealand players in Australia and getting them home safely, as soon as possible.
Six years since their last appearance, New Zealand has qualified for a place in the BWF World Men’s Team Championships (Thomas Cup) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Following the cancellation of the Oceania Qualifying Teams event in February, the continental qualifying position was determined based on the country’s world ranking points across singles and doubles disciplines. New Zealand prevailed within the Oceania region, accepting their spot to contest the Thomas Cup.
The New Zealand Men's team named to compete at the Thomas Cup are:
- Adam Jeffrey (Auckland)
- Dylan Soedjasa (North Harbour)
- Edward Lau (North Harbour)
- Joshua Feng (North Harbour)
- Oliver Leydon-Davis (Waikato)
- Ricky Cheng (North Harbour)
- Ryan Tong (Auckland)
National Coach, Rikke Olsen Siegemund accompanies the team throughout their international campaign.
The New Zealand team will depart at the end of April to compete at the Oceania Championships in Melbourne, ahead of the Thomas Cup commencing on the 8th May.