Badminton New Zealand are proud to name the players selected to represent New Zealand in the Oceania Junior and Open Mixed Team Championships in February. The two teams will wear the silver fern as they compete on home soil, with the hopes of claiming both team titles.
The Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships runs from 10 – 12th February, with the event providing development and key preparations towards the BWF World Junior Championships later in the year.
New Zealand National Coach, Rikke comments, “Our New Zealand Junior team features a mix of experienced and debutant players, but I trust this team can learn from each other and grow together throughout this event.”
Congratulations to the junior players named for the Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships:
| Chris Benzie (NH) | Victoria Guo (WKO) |
| Isaac Chan (WTK) | Mia Xu (AK) |
| Daniel Hu (AK) | Rosie Yang (AK) |
| Jaden Mingoa (NH) | Josephine Zhao (NH) |
| Lezhi Zhu (HB) | Camellia Zhou (AK) |
The NZ Junior Team will be accompanied by coaches; Nick Chambers and Fanny Megahwati.
In the week following, the Senior team will take to court at the Oceania Open Mixed Team Championships, with the winning team qualifying for the BWF Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China in May.
Congratulations to the players named for the Oceania Open Mixed Team Championships:
| Adam Jeffrey (AK) | Erena Calder-Hawkins (TBC) |
| Edward Lau (NH) | Shaunna Li (NH) |
| Abhinav Manota (NH) | Anona Pak (NH) |
| Dylan Soedjasa (NH) | Justine Villegas (NH) |
| Jack Wang (AK) | Camellia Zhou (AK) |
The NZ Team will be accompanied by coaches, Rikke Olsen Siegemund and Tony Griffen.
“Our NZ Team looks solid across multiple events, with numerous Oceania and National Champions in the team. There are so many solid possible combinations that can be played – and that’s always a plus!”
NZ Team member, Justine Villegas remarks, “Going into this event, the team goal is to claim that Oceania title and qualify us to play in the Sudirman Cup later in May. It will be very tough against Australia, but I’m confident our team will put up a good fight.”
“Our team has been working hard lately, especially getting the international exposure again in the recent North Harbour International, Australian Open and international events in Australia.” NZ Team member & Oceania Mens Doubles Champion, Abhinav Manota adds,
“It feels great to be wearing the silver fern with this super team and we hope to have a good crowd cheering for us, since we’re playing on home soil.”
The Oceania Championships will be held at Badminton North Harbour across the following dates;
- 10 - 12th February - Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships
- 13 - 16th February - Oceania Junior Championships
- 13 - 16th February - Oceania Championships
- 17 - 19th February - Oceania Open Mixed Team Championships