Badminton is taking giant steps once again
TASMANIA is back on the badminton map and hoping to become part of the international scene.
The state will send a sixplayer team to the Australasian under-17 championships in Invercargill, New Zealand, next month and the Tasmanian Badminton Association plans to renovate the centre at South Hobart so the state can host international competition.
Included in the planned renovations are upgraded floors, amenities, entrance and the roof being raised to bring it in line with international requirements.
TBA president Robert Brockman said sending a team to New Zealand would have long-term benefits.
“The opportunity that this provides our players is immeasurable,” he said.
“Being able to play against the best junior players in Aus- tralia and New Zealand is something not many players get to experience. The friendships created from these events will stay with the players for years to come.”
The team consists of Friend’s School’s Darcy Webster-Jones, 14, and Tara Thies- sen, 15; Dominic College duo Mathew Sojan, 15, and Ben Scott, 15; and Reagen Robotham, 15, and Gracen Watkinson, 15, from Marist College.
It will be the first time any of them have represented Tasmania.
“I feel very grateful to be able to have the opportunity to compete in the championships,” Tara Thiessen said. “I have played badminton since I was a little girl but didn’t start seriously training until a couple of years ago. To be able to compete in such a high level of this sport is very exciting.”
Darcy Webster-Jones said it was a bonus to represent the state in a sport he loves.
“I really like playing badminton, as it’s an opportunity for me to meet lots of new people of all ages, and I get to play a sport that I enjoy to play,” he said.