Life membership has been granted to Julie Carrel at the 93rd AGM of Badminton New Zealand, in recognition of her substantial contribution to the sport over 40 years.
Glenn Cox of Badminton North Harbour spoke to Julie's nomination, which was unanimously passed.
"Julie’s contribution to Badminton is spread over 40 years, during which she has undoubtedly left a lasting positive impression.
Firstly, as a player at the age of 18 she was selected to represent New Zealand in a tour to Australia and was part of one of the first NZ junior teams to have a series win there against Victoria. She was a member of the New Zealand National Squad with 26 international appearances for New Zealand from 1986 to 1996 including the 1990 Commonwealth Games and Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup and White Trophy competitions. She was a member of the North Harbour Wisden Cup teams who were successful winning the Inter-Association Division One team's event in 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1999. She is also the holder of 22 national championships titles ranging from juniors, seniors and masters events.
At the conclusion of her playing career, Julie began coaching in which she mentored and passed on her vast experience to future badminton players in New Zealand. She was then appointed the Chief Executive of Badminton North Harbour and over the next 13 years was responsible for not only lifting the sport in that region but also raising the bar for all of badminton in New Zealand.
In 2003 at the Badminton New Zealand inaugural awards Julie was awarded the Supreme award for “Outstanding Contribution to Badminton in New Zealand.” Concluding her time at North Harbour, Julie took up the role of Events Manager for Badminton New Zealand and so began a legacy of badminton events in New Zealand. In 2004 Julie was appointed Tournament director for the first ever One-Star tournament to be held in the Oceania region and tournament director for 2005 New Zealand Open, which was a World Grand Prix event, then again in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She continued running this from 2013 – 2018 utilising her own business and risk. She was also the tournament Director for BWF World Junior Championships held in Auckland in 2007.
Julie was the convenor for the New Zealand Tournament and Events committee from 2004 – 2019. She completed her Referees course in 2007 and has been a BWF Referee since 2014. Julie is respected throughout the Badminton World Federation for her contribution, experience and expertise in whatever badminton role she engages in. Julie is still active in providing her time to New Zealand Badminton, volunteering her time as referee for the Badminton New Zealand U19 National Championships in Christchurch last year and the NZ Tour Manawatu Open last weekend.
Julie Carrel is a 'one in a million' badminton person. Her passion for the sport in New Zealand and as part of New Zealand has covered over 40 years and we can think of no one more deserving of a life membership than her."
Badminton New Zealand joins our associations in acknowledging Julie's incredible passion and dedication to our sport, and we congratulate her on being granted life membership of Badminton New Zealand.