Double winner
Summerside native wins ACAA rookie, player of the year awards
Emma Hughes was shocked to be named the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) player of the year during her first season playing badminton against the region’s top college students.
“It’s amazing I won both awards. I thought I had a good chance at rookie of the year, but never player of the year because of all the other amazing badminton players in the league,” the Summerside native said.
Hughes compiled a 35-5 record in five tournaments while representing the Holland College Hurricanes. She was 17-3 in singles, 16-0 in doubles with partner Krystin Visser and 2-2 in mixed doubles play.
She started playing badminton when she was 10 years old at her elementary school, Ecolesur-Mer, and quickly fell in love with the sport.
She played competitively throughout middle school and high school, and represented P.E.I at the 2012 and 2013 Acadian Games as well as the 2014 Francophone Games.
Hughes started the culinary program at Holland College in 2015.
Noticing the college hadn’t had an ACAA badminton team since 2010-11, she began lobbying for a team.
“I approached Albert Roche, Holland College’s athletic director, about the idea in my first year, but it was too late to start a new team. He told me though if I could get enough people interested, there could be a team the following year.”
She began spreading the word on Facebook and in other badminton clubs across town.
“I was nervous before the meeting, but because of the awesome turnout, Albert said we could have a team. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in my life.” Holland College Hurricanes’ Emma Hughes
Last fall, the room was filled with students wanting to tryout when Holland College held a meeting to gauge interest.
“I was nervous before the meeting, but because of the awesome turnout, Albert said we could have a team. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in my life,” Hughes said.
Hughes practised hard and finished every tournament at, or near, the top in each event she competed in.
Hughes’ winning ways continued last weekend at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) qualifying tournament.
Hughes and Visser won the women’s doubles event and will represent Holland College at the nationals in Toronto from March 8-11.
Hughes realizes the competition is going to tough, but hopes to be competitive.
“The goal for nationals is to do the absolute best we can. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I just want to go there and be as competitive as possible and hopefully bring something home for Holland College.”