Pictured: Robbie Thackham and The Edgewater Resort and Spa staff play AirBadminton on the beach In late January, our Coaching and Development Manager, Robbie Thackham, took advantage of the quarantine-free bubble in operation between New Zealand and the Cook Islands to lead a Pacific Coaching Course, deliver a player development camp and launch AirBadminton into The Edgewater Resort and Spa. Firstly,Continue reading “Covering all bases: Coach education, player development and AirBadminton resort launch”
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AirBadminton debuts at the 2022 Cook Islands Beach Games
The 2022 Cook Islands Beach Games took place across Rarotonga at the end of January, bring the island’s most popular sports together across their stunning beaches and backdrops. AirBadminton, the outdoor game which launched two years ago, made its debut at this year’s edition of the Games. The new version of the sport is recognizedContinue reading “AirBadminton debuts at the 2022 Cook Islands Beach Games”
Tinomana Naea (Cook Islands) crowned first winner of Serve-ing Pacific – Badminton Oceania’s new volunteer recognition programme
Congratulations to the first Serve-ing Pacific winner, Tinomana Naea, from Cook Islands. He was nominated for excelling with ‘Inclusiveness’ – one of five organizational values which Badminton Oceania embeds across all programme areas. Tinomana is a committee member and Shuttle Time Tutor for Badminton Cook Islands and his hard work, loyalty and determination has never faltered since joining the organisation overContinue reading “Tinomana Naea (Cook Islands) crowned first winner of Serve-ing Pacific – Badminton Oceania’s new volunteer recognition programme”
Juniors impress at the Cook Islands Under 15 National Championships
Pictured: (left to right) Tereapii Akavi, Te Pa O Te Rangi Tupa, Zarrian Heather-Rau and Kaiyin Mataio It was a smashing weekend for Badminton Cook Islands with their Under 15s National Championship Games taking place last weekend at the TSA Arena. Thirty players participated in singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches with most of theContinue reading “Juniors impress at the Cook Islands Under 15 National Championships”
Cook Islands become first representatives to compete in New Zealand since 2019
Eight junior players from the Cook Islands will be travelling to Auckland this week to take part in a 10-day badminton bonanza. Throughout the week, the youngsters will be competing in the North Island Bay of Plenty U15/U19 Open from 23-25 April and Waikato U17 Open on 1 and 2 May 2021. In between the two tournaments, the youngstersContinue reading “Cook Islands become first representatives to compete in New Zealand since 2019”
Humans of Shuttle Time: Thomas Mereana-Ngauru – Cook Islands
Pictured: Thomas Mereana-Ngauru (left) distributing Shuttle Time equipment across the Cook Islands The Badminton World Federation’s Humans of Shuttle Time series presents the perspectives of those who work on badminton development at the grassroots level. Thomas Mereana-Ngauru, President and Shuttle Time National Coordinator for Badminton Cook Islands, first found badminton in New Zealand at his school during the 70s. DespiteContinue reading “Humans of Shuttle Time: Thomas Mereana-Ngauru – Cook Islands”
Badminton Cook Islands pay it forward to support the unemployed
Badminton Cook Islands are celebrating tremendous growth in the sport following a global pandemic which saw people rush on to courts and prioritise health and exercise once lockdown restrictions eased in country earlier this year. After a three-week lockdown earlier this year, only non-contact sports were originally allowed to take place, seeing the inception of a popular female-onlyContinue reading “Badminton Cook Islands pay it forward to support the unemployed”
Badminton Cook Islands deliver successful Mixed Team event at Cook Island Games
This year, the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) collectively decided to host a national Games for the first time, building on other formats like the ‘Manea Games’ which are a quadrennial Games for a group of five southern islands. Invoking the Olympic values to bring people together, especially during the time ofContinue reading “Badminton Cook Islands deliver successful Mixed Team event at Cook Island Games”
Cook Island juniors put through their paces with six month physical training programme
This week, junior players from the Cook Islands would have been making history as the first team to represent their country at the Barfoot & Thompson BWF World Junior Championships 2020. The event was originally set to take place in Auckland, New Zealand, from 28 September – 11 October 2020, but the event has been postponed untilContinue reading “Cook Island juniors put through their paces with six month physical training programme”
Cook Islands launch mid-week ladies sessions to cope with demand for badminton
Pictured: Liana Eggleton (left) and Lovelyn Gatchalien (right). Photo Credit: Cook Island News Cook Islands Badminton Federation continue to disrupt their nation’s sporting landscape with innovative ideas to improve badminton’s popularity across the country. Last month, their plans to adapt to the ‘new normal’ were celebrated as they managed to capitalise on the sports non-contact element, makingContinue reading “Cook Islands launch mid-week ladies sessions to cope with demand for badminton”
Badminton Cook Islands 