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Badminton Australia Announces 2026 Junior Falcons Selections and World Junior Championships Team

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 7 August 2026

Badminton Australia Announces 2026 Junior Falcons Selections and World Junior Championships Team

Badminton Australia has confirmed the latest selections for the Junior Falcons Program and the Australian team that will compete at the BWF World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt, from 5-17 October 2026. The selections were made by the Badminton Australia Selectors Panel in accordance with the national athlete selection policy.

Junior Falcons Selections

Following outstanding performances at the Australian Under 15 and Under 19 National Championships, three athletes have secured automatic selection into the Junior Falcons Program:

  • Yee Bo Leow (Ming Badminton Academy, Victoria) – Winner, U15 Boys Singles.
  • Nicholas Ung (Rise Badminton Academy, Victoria) – Winner, U19 Men’s Doubles.
  • Wayne Xuan (Ming Badminton Academy, Victoria) – Finalist, U19 Men’s Singles.

In addition, Wanjiao Luo of Pro Badminton Academy, Victoria, claimed the U15 Girls Singles title but is not yet eligible for inclusion in the Junior Falcons Program due to the minimum age requirement of 14 years.

Further selections into the program outside of the above auto-selections will be considered in December.

World Junior Championships – Cairo, Egypt, 5-17 October 2026

Badminton Australia has also announced the athletes selected to represent Australia at the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships in Cairo.

Women’s Team

  • Faye Huo (NBC, NSW)
  • Jesslyn Carissia (NBC, NSW)
  • Smrithi Adepu (EBA, Victoria)
  • Victoria Tjonadi (Roketto, NSW)

Men’s Team

  • Om Neelam (Rise Badminton Academy, Victoria)
  • Chen Qiu (ASCOR Performance Pathway, Victoria)
  • Wayne Xuan (Ming Badminton Academy, Victoria)
  • Rishi Boopathy (Roketto, NSW)

Coaching and team management appointments will be confirmed at a later date.

Building the Future of Australian Badminton

The selected athletes represent some of Australia’s most promising young badminton talent and will have the opportunity to compete against the world’s best junior players when the championships take place in Egypt this October. The event provides an important platform for athlete development and international experience as Badminton Australia continues to strengthen its high-performance pathway.

Badminton Australia acknowledges and thanks Yonex for its valued support as the official sponsor of the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships team. Yonex’s ongoing partnership plays an important role in supporting Australia’s emerging athletes as they compete on the international stage.

Congratulations to all athletes selected for the Junior Falcons Program and the 2026 World Junior Championships team. Badminton Australia wishes the players, coaches and support staff every success in their preparations for the upcoming international campaign.

Badminton Australia Seeks National Para Head Coach

Badminton Australia is excited to announce an opportunity for an exceptional coach to lead the next chapter of Para badminton in Australia, with applications now open for the position of National Para Head Coach.

As Australia continues its pursuit of success on the international stage, this pivotal role will provide leadership across the national Para badminton pathway, supporting athletes, coaches and key stakeholders to drive performance outcomes while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the sport.

Reporting to the National Para Performance Manager, the National Para Head Coach will lead the development and progression of athletes within Badminton Australia’s National Para High Performance and Development Programs. The role will work closely with athletes, personal coaches, performance support staff and partner organisations to deliver world-class coaching, athlete support and campaign planning.

The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing athletes for major international events, including future Paralympic campaigns, while also contributing to coach development, talent identification and the growth of Para badminton across Australia.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of athletes and contribute to the continued evolution of Para badminton within Australia’s high-performance sporting system.

Badminton Australia welcomes applications from experienced high-performance coaches who are passionate about athlete development, collaborative leadership and building a culture of excellence. Experience coaching Para athletes is desirable but not essential.

The position is offered on a 4 days per week basis with additional coaching hours possible. The preferred location is Melbourne where our head office is based, although other locations within Australia will be considered. Domestic and international travel will form an important part of the role.

Para badminton continues to grow both nationally and internationally, and this position represents an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the sport while supporting Australian athletes to achieve success on the world stage.

Applications close on 30 June and all information can be found via https://www.badminton.org.au/vacancies.

Badminton Australia Launches Future Para Falcons Program

 

Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the launch of the Future Para Falcons, a new national Para badminton development program designed to support talented Para athletes and accelerate their progression within the high‑performance pathway. 

The Future Para Falcons program sits within Badminton Australia’s Para performance pathway and provides a direct development pathway into the Para Falcons program, supporting athletes as they work towards Paralympic representation. 

Supporting Emerging Para Talent 

The Future Para Falcons provides emerging Para badminton athletes with enhanced development opportunities and increased exposure to national performance environments. The initiative strengthens the transition between community participation and high‑performance programs, supporting athletes as they prepare for the demands of elite Para badminton. 

Through the program, selected athletes will benefit from: 

  • Targeted development and training opportunities 
  • Exposure to national performance planning, standards and expectations 
  • Increased connection to Badminton Australia’s high‑performance system 
  • A clearly identified pathway toward selection in the Para Falcons program 

Selected Athletes – Future Para Falcons 

The following athletes have been selected for the Future Para Falcons program: 

  • Katelyn Colley – Western Australia – SH6 
  • Caitlin Dransfield – Western Australia – SL3 
  • Remi Foster – Victoria – SL4 
  • Zashka Gunson – South Australia – SL4 
  • Nang Van Nguyen – Western Australia – WH1 
  • Michael Simpkins – Victoria – SU5 

Selections are based on demonstrated potential, commitment to development, and alignment with Badminton Australia’s Para Athlete Performance Pathway. 

Para Athlete Performance Pathway 

The launch of Future Para Falcons coincides with the release of Badminton Australia’s new Para Athlete Performance Pathways document. This resource outlines the structured pathway through which Para badminton athletes can progress, from early development through to Paralympic representation. 

The document provides clarity on: 

  • Key stages of athlete development 
  • Entry points into Badminton Australia programs 
  • Expectations at each level of the pathway 

View the Para Athlete Performance Pathways document here.   

The Future Para Falcons is an important step in strengthening Australia’s Para badminton pathway and aims to support the wider high-performance system, including SIS/SAS para units. By providing a clear pathway into the Para Falcons program, Badminton Australia aims to build depth, consistency, and long‑term success within Para badminton. Badminton Australia looks forward to working closely with athletes, coaches, and state and territory associations to support the growth of Para badminton across the country.

 

Badminton Australia Announces Teams for BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026

Media Release
Badminton Australia Announces Teams for BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026

Melbourne, 13 March 2026

Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the athletes selected to represent Australia at the upcoming BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 at Horsens, Denmark, from 24 April to 3 May 2026, the world’s premier international team championships in badminton.

The prestigious tournament will see Australia’s top men’s and women’s players compete against the world’s best, proudly representing the green and gold on the international stage.

Uber Cup Team (Women)

The following athletes have been selected to represent Australia in the Uber Cup:

  • Faye Huo – NBC/NSW
  • Jesslyn Carissia – NBC/NSW
  • Tiffany Ho – NBC/NSW
  • Angela Yu – Sunnybank Hills/QLD
  • Gronya Somerville – NBC/VIC
  • Victoria Tjonadi – Roketto/NSW

Thomas Cup Team (Men)

The following athletes have been selected to represent Australia in the Thomas Cup:

  • Shrey Dhand – Rise BA/VIC
  • Ephraim Stephen Sam – Sams BA/QLD
  • Jack Yu – Sunnybank Hills/QLD
  • Andika Ramadiansyah – EBA/NSW
  • Frederick Zhao – Rise BA/VIC
  • Rizky Hidayat Ismail – KBC/NSW
  • Rishi Boopathy (Development) – Roketto/NSW

Support Staff

The teams will be supported by an experienced coaching and performance staff:

  • Leanne Choo – BA National Head Coach
  • Josh Neil – BA National Performance Manager
  • Zhou (Grace) Jiang – NBC High Performance Coach

The BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals represent one of the most prestigious events in international badminton, bringing together the world’s top badminton nations in a highly competitive team format.

Badminton Australia congratulates all selected athletes and staff and wishes the teams the very best as they prepare to represent Australia internationally.

Badminton Australia would like to sincerely thank Konec, Badminton Oceania, and anonymous donors for their invaluable support of the Thomas & Uber Cup teams. Without their support, it would not have been possible to send our teams to the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals.

For all Media enquiries, please contact Badminton Australia’s CEO, Tjitte (TJ) Weistra.

Phone: 0424979415
Email: Tjitte.Weistra@badminton.org.au
Website: www.badminton.org.au

BAHRAIN BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026: Australians take to the World Stage

From 8–14 February in Manama, Bahrain, history was made as Australia sent its largest-ever team to the BAHRAIN BWF Para World Championships 2026. Sixteen athletes from Australia competed in the Championships, which is a competitive biennial tournament with strict entry standards. Australians faced the world’s best among the six classifications of Para Badminton (WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6), and AUS was represented in five of the six classifications, a powerful statement of the nation’s growing strength in the sport.

Team Australia 

For the five debutants (*), Bahrain delivered a first taste of elite international competition. For more experienced players, the competition offered an early proving ground on the road to the 2028 Paralympics. Badminton Australia proudly congratulates the following athletes who earned their place on the world stage: 

Qambar Ali Akhteyari
Lachlan Boulton
Hayden Braun*
Katelyn Colley
Caitlin Dransfield
Martyn Ford
Mischa Ginns
Zashka Gunson
Sarah Keenahan*
Macka Mackenzie
Grant Manzoney
Nang Van Nguyen*
Brandon Ka Nam Poon*
Arika Shetty
Celine Vinot
Bree Wright* 

* First World Championships appearance

Results 

While many Australians fought hard but exited during the group stages, several athletes pushed deep into the draw. Caitlin Dransfield (WA) led the charge, reaching the SL3 Women’s Singles quarterfinals – Australia’s best result of the tournament. Dransfield narrowly missed out on semifinals in a gripping three-game match against China’s Yuan Haoying.  

Also advancing beyond the group stages into the Round of 16 were: 

Mischa Ginns (WH2 Women’s Singles) 

Zashka Gunson (SL3–SU5 Women’s Doubles) 

Macka Mackenzie (WH1 Women’s Singles) 

Grant Manzoney (WH2 Men’s Singles) 

Arika Shetty (SL4 Women’s Singles)  

Celine Vinot (SL3 Women’s Singles; SL3–SU5 Women’s Doubles) 

Bree Wright (WH1 Women’s Singles) 

The Team Behind the Players 

Backing the athletes was Badminton Australia’s largest-ever Para World Championships support team, including: 

  • Para High Performance Manager – Olivia Knowles
  • Head Coach – Ian Bridge
  • Para Performance Support Specialist – Stephen Hadlow
  • Team Physiotherapist – Brooke Bakaric
  • Assistant Coaches – Thomas Champion & Victoria Wang 

With growing depth and experience, Australia has made one thing clear: our players belong on the world stage. Focus now turns locally to the National Championships, the breeding ground of future success, where many of these players started their Para Badminton journeys. The Yonex Australian Para Badminton National Championships are set to take place in Altona, Victoria on 29-31 May 2026.

Check out the photos from the event! (Photo credit: BWF / https://media.npc.bh)

Australia Shines at the 2026 VICTOR Oceania Championships

Australia delivered a strong overall performance at the 2026 VICTOR Oceania Badminton Championships in Auckland, producing winning results across both the team championships and individual events.

Team Championships

Australia enjoyed a successful campaign across the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Team Championships, demonstrating depth and consistency throughout the competition.

The Women’s Team showed composure in key matches, with decisive performances across singles and doubles ensuring a strong result in the championship tie. The victory also secures their place at the BWF World Women’s Team Championships in Denmark later this year.

In the Men’s Team Championships, Australia once again proved difficult to overcome, with important wins across all disciplines contributing to their overall success and qualification outcome. The win secured Australia’s fourth consecutive men’s team title and earned qualification for this year’s BWF World Men’s Team Championships.

Across the team events, Australia’s performances reflected a high standard of preparation and execution throughout the championships.

Individual Championships

Australian players also featured prominently during the individual championships, with several athletes delivering strong performances on finals day.

In Men’s Singles, Shrey Dhand claimed the title following a demanding final, displaying resilience and physical endurance over the course of the match.

The experienced pairing of Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu continued their successful partnership in Women’s Doubles, producing a composed performance to secure the championship.

Australia also topped the podium in Men’s Doubles, with Rizky Hidayat and Jack Yu combining effectively throughout the tournament.

In Mixed Doubles, Andika Ramadiansyah and Angela Yu worked well together to claim the title after a solid finals performance.

Australia was also represented in the Women’s Singles final, with Tiffany Ho delivering a determined performance on the championship stage.

Full results

Team Events: https://bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5638/victor-oceania-mens-and-womens-team-championships-2026/results/podium

Individual Events: https://bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5639/victor-oceania-championships-2026/results/

(Photo Source: Badminton Oceania)

Australians Ready for Bahrain BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026

Australia’s para badminton athletes are preparing to compete on the world stage next week at the Bahrain BWF Para Badminton World Championships 2026, running from 7-14 February.

The Australian squad is heading to Manama with a strong and diverse squad, ready to compete against the world’s best in one of the most prestigious events on the para badminton calendar.

This event is a key milestone in the lead-up to future Paralympic cycles, offering crucial world ranking opportunities and high-level international competition.

“Having sixteen athletes competing in the Para Badminton World Championships is a major achievement for Australia, and this group being led by our Para Falcons adds an extra level of strength and experience. Our players have been working hard in preparation for this benchmark event, and are motivated and ready to compete against the best in the world,” said Badminton Australia National Para Performance Manager and Team Manager, Olivia Knowles.

Of the 16 athletes selected, eight are Para Falcon athletes, reflecting the success of the Para Falcon program in supporting high performance para badminton athletes.

Matches and results can be followed live via the official event draw and results page: https://bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5605/bahrain-bwf-para-badminton-world-championships-2026/info

Australian Players:

Martyn Ford
WH1 Men’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Men’s Doubles (with Grant Manzoney)

Nang Van Nguyen
WH1 Men’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Men’s Doubles (with Hayden Braun)

Bree Wright
WH1 Women’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles (with Qambar Ali Akhetyari)
WH1-WH2 Women’s Doubles (with Mischa Ginns)

Macka Mackenzie
WH1 Women’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles (with Grant Manzoney)

Grant Manzoney
WH2 Men’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Men’s Doubles (with Martyn Ford)
WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles (with Macka Mackenzie)

Qambar Ali Akhetyari
WH2 Men’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles (with Bree Wright)

Mischa Ginns
WH2 Women’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Women’s Doubles (with Bree Wright)
WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles (with Marcelo Alves Conceicao [BRA])

Celine Vinot
SL3 Women’s Singles
SL3-SU5 Women’s Doubles (with Zashka Gunson)

Caitlin Dransfield
SL3 Women’s Singles

Lachlan Boulton
SL4 Men’s Singles

Brandon Poon
SL4 Men’s Singles
SL3-SU5 Mixed Doubles (with Zashka Gunson)

Zashka Gunson
SL4 Women’s Singles
SL3-SU5 Mixed Doubles (with Brandon Poon)
SL3-SU5 Women’s Doubles (with Celine Vinot)

Arika Shetty
SL4 Women’s Singles

Katelyn Colley
SH6 Women’s Singles
SH6 Women’s Doubles (with Sarah Keenahan)

Sarah Keenahan
SH6 Women’s Singles
SH6 Women’s Doubles (with Katelyn Colley)

Hayden Braun
WH2 Men’s Singles
WH1-WH2 Men’s Doubles (with Nang Van Nguyen)

Australian Team Officials in Attendance:

Olivia Knowles – National Para Performance Manager / Team Manager

Ian Bridge – National Para Head Coach

Stephen Hadlow – Para Performance Support Specialist

Tom Champion – Assistant Coach

Victoria Wang – Assistant Coach

Brooke Bakaric – Physio/Medical Lead

Stay tuned to Badminton Australia’s social media channels for more content and updates from all the action in Bahrain.

Falcons & Oceania Championships Selection Announcement

Badminton Australia Announces Falcons Squad Updates and 2026 Victor Oceania Team Championships Selections

Melbourne, 22 December 2025 – Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the latest updates to the Falcons program and the selection of athletes who will represent Australia at the 2026 Victor Oceania Team Championships, scheduled to take place in North Harbour, New Zealand from 13–15 February 2026. This event also serves as the qualifying tournament for the prestigious Thomas & Uber Cup Finals which will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from 24 April – 3 May 2026.

Falcons Program Updates

The Junior Falcons squad remains unchanged. For the full Junior Falcons squad list, visit: badminton.org.au/junior-falcons.

The Senior Falcons squad welcomes several new players, strengthening Australia’s competitive edge on the international stage:

New Selections:

  • Alvi Wijaya Chairullah (EBA/NSW)
  • Andika Ramadiansya (EBA/NSW)
  • Rizky Hidayat Ismail (KBC/NSW)
  • Karono Karono (NBC/NSW)
  • Nozomi Shimizu (NBC/NSW)
  • Laudya Chelsea Griselda (NBC/NSW)
  • Saena Kawakami (NBC/NSW)
  • Pramudya Kusumawardana (ACE/NSW)
  • Karsten Darma (NBC/NSW)
  • Michael Owen (NBC/NSW)

Withdrawn:

  • Yuelin Zhang (Rise BA/VIC)

Not Reselected:

  • Dania Nugroho (SPOC/SA)

For the full Senior Falcons squad, visit: badminton.org.au/senior-falcons.

2026 Victor Oceania Team Championships Selections

Badminton Australia is proud to announce the athletes selected to represent Australia in February in New Zealand:

Women’s Team:

  • Faye Huo (NBC/NSW)
  • Jesslyn Carissia (NBC/NSW)
  • Tiffany Ho (NBC/NSW)
  • Angela Yu (Sunnybank Hills/QLD)
  • Gronya Somerville (NBC/VIC)
  • Victoria Tjonadi (Roketto/NSW)

Men’s Team:

  • Shrey Dhand (EBA/VIC)
  • Ephraim Stephen Sam (Sams BA/QLD)
  • Jack Yu (Sunnybank Hills/QLD)
  • Andika Ramadiansyah (EBA/NSW)
  • Frederick Zhao (Rise BA/VIC)
  • Rizky Hidayat Ismail (KBC/NSW)

Coaches/Managers: Leanne Choo and Josh Neil

Badminton Australia congratulates all selected athletes and looks forward to strong performances at the Oceania Championships.

For all enquiries regarding this announcement, please contact TJ Weistra, Badminton Australia CEO via Tjitte.Weistra@badminton.org.au.

Badminton Australia ASC Funding Recognition

Media Release

Badminton Australia recognises Australian Government investment via the Australian Sports Commission

Melbourne, 10 December 2025

Badminton Australia today recognises the vital investment and ongoing support provided by the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). This funding underpins the delivery of our High Performance (HP) program, supporting our HP staff and athletes, preparing for major international campaigns, and driving qualification pathways to World Championships and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The ASC’s investment enables Badminton Australia to:

  • Strengthen athlete pathways: From talent identification through daily training environments to international competition readiness.
  • Support High Performance staff and systems: Including coaching, performance analysis, sports science, medical support, wellbeing services, and program management.
  • Plan and deliver major international campaigns: Targeted competition schedules, travel and logistics, team services, and performance preparation across continental and global events.
  • Progress qualification and performance at pinnacle events: Strategic support for qualification efforts for World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
  • Enhance inclusive and safe performance environments: Ensuring athlete wellbeing and long-term engagement in the sport.

Tjitte Weistra, Badminton Australia CEO, says: “The Australian Government’s investment, channeled through the Australian Sports Commission, is crucial to the success of our High Performance program. It ensures our athletes and staff have the resources, expertise, and support they need to compete on the world stage and across World Championships and Olympic and Paralympic qualification campaigns. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which helps us build sustainable performance systems and inspires the next generation.”

Badminton Australia also acknowledges the ASC’s broader role in strengthening the Australian high-performance system, enabling sports to plan long-term, innovate, and deliver evidence-based high-performance environments that support both performance outcomes and athlete wellbeing.

For all Media enquiries, please contact Badminton Australia’s CEO, Tjitte (TJ) Weistra.

Phone: 0424979415
Email: Tjitte.Weistra@badminton.org.au
Website: www.badminton.org.au

YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships Team and Junior Falcons Selection Announcement

Badminton Australia is pleased to confirm the selection of the 10-member squad representing Australia at the YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships 2025 to be held in Guwahati, India.

Women:

  • Faye Huo – NBC/NSW
  • Jesslyn Carrisia – NBC/NSW
  • Maureen Wijaya – NBC/NSW
  • Mimi Ngo – An-Yu BA, PBX/WA
  • Victoria Tjonadi – Roketto/NSW

Men:

    • Shrey Dhand – EBA/VIC
    • Landon Kurniawan – MAXIMA/NSW
    • Phillip Halim – BISA United/NSW
    • Jayden Lim – PBA/VIC
  • Wey Shawn Ng – PBA/VIC

Coaches/Managers: TBC

Note: The team has been selected in accordance with the BA Selection Policy.

YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships 2025

Dates:

  • Mixed Team Championships (Suhandinata Cup):  6 – 11 October
  • Individual Championships (Eye-Level Cups):  13 – 19 October

More Info: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/events/world-junior-championships/

Badminton Australia would also like to congratulate Jesslyn Carrisia (NBC/NSW), Adlyn Mary Sojan (ABC/SA) and Chen Qiu (PBA/VIC) on being selected to join the Junior Falcons program.

For the full squad go to https://www.badminton.org.au/junior/