2026 Under 15 Development Squad

• Alex Zhang (WKO)
• Kingsley Li (WN)
• Tyler Dreaver (AK)
• Martin Gao (NH)
• Aaron Duan (WEL)
• Jayson Yang (WKO)
• Ethan Yu (NH)
• Elliot Leung (AK)
• Daniel Andrew (WKO)
• Jeremy Zhang (WN)
• Marco Sun (CAN)
• Alex Chen (NH)
• Leon Li (NH)
• Ian Chen (WN)
• Lucas Ziwen Ly (NH)
• Jason Liang (NH)
• Angela Diao (WKO)
• Jennie Liang (NH)
• Jana Priya Krishnakumar (NH)
• Anna Lu (NH)
• Amy Zhang (NH)
• Hannah Shang (WKO)
• Xinen (Anna) Xu (NH)
• Enaayat Enaayat (AK)
• Dina Lei (AK)
• Alina Li (CM)
• Oliva Yew (WKO)
• Katrina Huang (CAN)
• Hailey Lei (NH)
• Sukhsehaj Kaur (CAN)
• Sheena Li Wenxi (NH)
• Yu Chen (Bella) Bai (NH)

Invited to the January Camp only:

• Ray Gao (CAN)
• Isaac Liu (AK)
• Kaylee Chan (CM)

Coaches: Tracey Hallam, Cici Xie, Angus Crawford, Chris Sharrock

2026 Under 17 & 19 Performance Squad

• Jay Xuan Tan (CAN)
• Ansen Bee (BOP)
• Tony Yu (NH)
• Alvin To Kan Han (NH)
• Lucas Qin (WKO)
• Michael Hui (NH)
• Jason Shiqi Tong (NH)
• Eason Lei (CM)
• Larry Li (NH)
• Vincent Xu (NH)
• Leo Xu (NH)
• Ben Rambaud (CM)
• Rosie Yang (AK)
• Josephine Zhao (NH)
• Natalie Ting (NH)
• Josie Lee (WKO)
• Olivia Yang (WTK)
• Yanxi Liu (NH)
• Justreen Soriano (WTK)
• Emmy Xu (NH)
• Rebecca Zhang (NH)
• Selena Wu (NH)
• Rina Kim (CAN)
• Amy Wang (NH)

Reserves:

• Caleb Lim (BOP)
• Zooni Ahuja (CAN)

Coaches: Nick Chambers, Oliver Leydon-Davis, Kenneth Yew

Held from 29 June to 2 July, this flagship event is more than just a competition - it's a celebration of teamwork, regional pride, and the future of our sport. With matches played across 43 courts, players aged Under 13 to Under 19 will represent their associations in a spirited battle for national honours.

What’s New in 2025?

To keep pace with the growing scale of the event, match formats for U15 and U17 teams have been refined, with ties now featuring 12 matches instead of 16, a move designed to reduce court-time pressure while also heightening competition between closely matched teams.

This year’s edition will also debut an exciting activation zone, providing fun off-court activities and games - a great way to recharge between matches and connect with players from other regions. It’s all part of an ongoing effort to ensure NZJTC is as enjoyable as it is competitive.

Powered by Partnership

The continued success of the Junior Team Championships wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of Palmerston North City Council, Pub Charity, and FlyPalmy, who help us deliver a world-class experience for players, coaches, and family.

As the event grows, so too does its impact - building friendships, life skills, and unforgettable memories for our next generation of champions. We can’t wait to welcome you to Palmerston North this July for a celebration of youth, sport, and the spirit of badminton.

Where to Watch

The event takes place at CET Arena in Palmerston North from Sunday 29 June to Wednesday 2 July. Spectators are most welcome at all sessions, and entry is free.

If you can't make it to the event, be sure to follow our social channels for updates and photos throughout the week:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Draws and results will be updated continuously as play progresses.

As part of the build-up, we asked the players what they’re most looking forward to and their responses.

Here’s a sneak peek at what they had to say:

“To play well and have fun”
“Playing with or against people I haven't met before, and learning how they play”
“I want to gain more experience and learn how I could get better”

Want to know which players shared these thoughts?
👉 Head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see their profiles and full quotes!

We can’t wait to follow their journey as they represent Aotearoa on the international stage. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes moments from Melbourne!

Held last weekend, the national tertiary event brought together university teams from across the country in a spirited competition showcasing the depth of badminton talent at the post-secondary level. The Secondary School team, comprised of some of New Zealand’s top young players from Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls Grammar School, proved they were more than capable of matching their older counterparts.

Placed in one of the initial round-robin groups, the secondary school side stormed through the group stage with three consecutive tie wins, underlining both their individual skill and team cohesion. Despite being ineligible for the medal playoffs due to invitational status, their results turned heads throughout the venue and reinforced the value of their inclusion.

Following their unbeaten group performance, the team entered the 5th–8th place playoff bracket. They continued their strong form, ultimately finishing 5th overall after securing a final playoff victory. Across the entire weekend, the young squad dropped just five matches - a remarkable feat against older and more experienced opposition.

Further validating the calibre of the secondary school athletes, two players - Markis Tew and Eva Chen - were named in the Tournament Team, an honour reserved for standout performers across all teams. Their selection not only reflects their individual excellence throughout the competition, but also demonstrates the impact that younger athletes can have at higher levels of play when given the opportunity.

Pathway Development in Action

The success of the Secondary School Invitational Team has sparked conversation around the importance of visible and meaningful pathways for junior players. By providing an opportunity to compete in a tertiary-level environment, Badminton New Zealand has demonstrated a commitment to bridging the gap between school-age and university sport - helping to ensure talented young players stay engaged and continue developing beyond secondary school.

Including this team not only gave players a valuable competitive experience, but also allowed tertiary teams and institutions to see first-hand the future of the sport. The initiative serves as a promising blueprint for how to integrate emerging athletes into higher-level competition, fostering stronger connections across all levels of the badminton community.

As the sport continues to grow, opportunities like this are essential to retaining talent, inspiring younger players, and building a more robust high-performance pipeline.

The team will travel to Melbourne, Australia in May to be part of the U15 Australian International experience which will consist of team building, training sessions and tournament match plays!

We are excited to see this opportunity for New Zealand's Juniors and look forward to see how the juniors will make the most of it in Australia.

New Zealand U15 Australian Experience Team

New Zealand Under 15 Development Squad

Congratulations to the below players who have been selected into the New Zealand Under 15 Development Squad for 2025. The squad will be coached by Tracey Hallam, Kenneth Yew and Angus Crawford.

New Zealand Under 19 Performance Squad

Congratulations to the below players who have been selected into the New Zealand Under 19 Performance Squad for 2025. The squad will be coached by Rikke Olsen-Siegemund and Nick Chambers.