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.

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.

After days of competition in Saipan, the pair stood tall on finals day, showcasing composure, chemistry, and strategic play on court to secure the gold medal for New Zealand.

Reflecting on the win, Raphael Deloy shared his excitement:

“It feels amazing to win the Oceania Junior Championship. I’ve prepared since the start of this year to be able to achieve a really good outcome out of this tournament. So I’m really happy.”

His partner, Lezhi Zhu, spoke about the mindset that carried him through the pressure moments of the final:

“I think throughout the match I just told myself ‘composure’ over and over again – and it worked out.”

This victory is a sign that the future is bright for New Zealand badminton, with rising stars like Raphael and Lezhi leading the way. We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible win with the pair and can’t wait to see how they perform next at the Northern Marianas International Series, where they’ll take on the challenge of competing in an Open International tournament.

The journey continues - and we’re cheering every step of the way.

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!

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.