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Australia Expands Para Badminton Classification Workforce with BWF Training Course

Badminton Australia and Paralympics Australia hosted a Badminton World Federation (BWF) National Level 1 Classifier Training course from 27–29 May, welcoming nine attendees from Australia, Fiji, Korea and Malaysia.

Building classification capability in Australia

Classification is essential to the integrity and fairness of Para sport competition. It determines whether an athlete is eligible to compete and places them into a sport class with athletes whose impairments affect them in similar ways in their sport.

For Australia, this training marks a significant step forward because we have had a limited number of active Para badminton classifiers available to support the classification pathway growth. With six Australians now undertaking Level 1 training, spread across a wide range of locations, we’re strengthening the national classifier network and reducing reliance on a small pool of personnel.

What this means for Para Badminton

Expanding our classifier base helps unlock practical, athlete-focused improvements:

  • More opportunities for classification nationwide: With more trained people across more locations, we can better support classification beyond major events.
  • Improved access and reduced barriers: Increased state capability can reduce travel and waiting times for athletes who need classification to enter or progress through competition.
  • Stronger event readiness: A larger classifier workforce supports smoother delivery of competitions and pathway events as participation grows.

Supporting growth at a state level

This work is part of a broader focus on growing Para badminton participation across Australia. We are currently working with state organisations to help support the growth and participation of Para badminton at a state level.

Increasing out-of-competition opportunities

In addition to competition-based classification, we will be working closely with the State Para Units to support out-of-competition classification opportunities – helping athletes access the classification process in a way that supports both development and entry into the sport

Badminton Australia and Paralympics Australia thank the BWF and all attendees for contributing to this important step in strengthening the future of Para badminton classification in Australia.

If you are interested in undergoing classification, please express your interest to Para.classification@badminton.org.au.

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)

BA Welcomes Tim Burke As National Integrity Manager

Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Burke as the new National Integrity Manager.

Tim brings a wealth of experience in sport integrity and education including two decades in anti-doping, five years in school drug education and a wide mix of senior appointments in state government and not-for-profit organisations.

Most recently, Tim has applied his skills in the youth justice system, supporting interventions aimed at addressing and preventing offending behaviour. With a career involving anti-doping roles at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Tim is excited to reconnect with the sport sector.

“Sport is such an integral feature of the Australian landscape and lifestyle,” Tim said.

“It brings joy, friendships, challenge and inspires excellence for many people. Sport has not always been a safe, inclusive and fair environment and I’m deeply motivated to continue the great work already established at BA to maintain integrity for all members and participants at all levels.”

Tim will commence in the role on 23 February, 2026.

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.

BA Welcomes Kevin Wu As Membership & Data Performance Officer

Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Wu as the new Membership & Data Performance Officer.

Kevin comes from a basketball background and has been involved as a player, referee and as a technical official (score table official and statistician) at state, national and international level. Professionally, he was the Administrator of a competition that involved 6,000+ players and most recently, was at Basketball Victoria for the past 8 years as the Data and Digital Coordinator. At Basketball Victoria, Kevin worked closely with software developers to design and build PlayHQ from the ground up, a sports management platform tailored for grassroots sports. He then led the rollout to 150+ associations and 500+ clubs, providing onboarding, training, and ongoing support. He was also responsible for system administration and the collation and analysis of participation data. Kevin also has a strong foundation in IT, having completed a Bachelor of Business Systems and spent the first decade of his career in IT Support.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and am excited about joining the team at Badminton Australia. I am looking forward to meeting the staff and volunteers at governing bodies and club level and building strong relationships with key people in the sport. I am hoping that with the experience I bring in community sport and a customer focus, I can make life easier for competition administrators, enhance the experience of participants, and help grow the sport of badminton. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in due course and being a part of the badminton community.”

Kevin will commence in the role on 2 February, 2026.

 

 

BA Welcomes Oscar Yam as Events & Communications Manager

Badminton Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar Yam as the new Events and Communications Manager.

Oscar has spent over three years at Table Tennis Victoria, where he led and developed the events portfolio, supported improvements to the State Team experience, and contributed to growth in membership, affiliate numbers, and education accreditations. He has also been involved with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the National Basketball League (NBL), supporting match-day operations and leading volunteers for the delivery of events.

Oscar brings a strong background in event management and sport administration. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Marketing and a Master of Business in Sport Management from Deakin University. Originally from Hong Kong, Oscar made the move to Melbourne in 2022 to pursue his career in sport. He is fluent in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.

“I am excited to join Badminton Australia and bring a meticulous approach to events, helping to strengthen the profile of the sport,” Oscar said. “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to bring exciting events to life for players, coaches, and everyone involved. I look forward to contributing to high-quality competitions and initiatives, playing a part in LA28, and supporting the growth of badminton at all levels, creating memorable experiences for the community.”

BA CEO Tjitte Weistra said, “We are thrilled to have Oscar join the team at Badminton Australia, as we focus on strengthening our events and communications leading up to LA28 and Brisbane 2032.”

“As a young, energetic professional with strong experience in events and operations, Oscar is well-placed to make a meaningful contribution, supporting our competitions and initiatives while engaging the badminton community.”

Oscar will commence in the role on 12 January, 2026.

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/

Bendigo set to host thrilling international badminton triple-header

Regional Victorian city Bendigo will host a trio of major events: YONEX Bendigo International, YONEX Australian Para Badminton International and VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships.
Players from across Australia and overseas are heading to Bendigo in October for a trio of international badminton tournaments.

Badminton Australia is delighted to announce the return of international tournaments to Bendigo for the next three years, marking a significant boost for regional Victoria’s thriving sporting culture.

Beginning in October 2025 onward, Bendigo will host a triple-header of events, starting with the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships, YONEX Bendigo International and YONEX Australian Para Badminton International.

“Bendigo is a beautiful city that’s rich in history and we are delighted to be returning for the next three years,” Badminton Australia CEO Tjitte Weistra said.

“We are very thankful to the Victorian State Government, City of Greater Bendigo and YONEX for the ongoing support which has enabled these events to become major fixtures on the Australian badminton calendar.

“This investment demonstrates a strong commitment to both competitive badminton and inclusive sports in Australia, and we look forward to welcoming athletes and fans to Bendigo in the coming years.

“These events will provide an invaluable opportunity for Australian athletes to compete in international tournaments on home soil, ensuring the continued growth of badminton from grassroots to high-performance levels.”

The tournaments will be held at the Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association and will continue through 2026 with the YONEX Bendigo International, before the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships and YONEX Australian Para Badminton International return for another triple-header in 2027.

City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy and Experience James Myatt said Eaglehawk Badminton and Table Tennis Complex was the perfect location to present all three high profile tournaments hosting around 450 players and supporters.

“We are thrilled and proud to host the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships, YONEX Bendigo International and YONEX Australian Para Badminton International, celebrating the spirit of inclusive sport and showcasing athletes at the pinnacle of their performance,” Mr Myatt said.

“These tournaments promise to be incredibly exciting, and we encourage all players and their supporters to enjoy our excellent facilities and explore Greater Bendigo’s fantastic offerings during their stay here.”

YONEX Brand Manager Michael Fariman said YONEX was proud to support the continued growth of elite and inclusive badminton across regional Australia.

“It is a privilege to work with Badminton Australia in bringing world-class badminton to communities like Bendigo,” Mr Fariman said.

“These tournaments not only highlight top-tier talent but also inspire the next generation of players, and YONEX is proud to be part of that journey.”

Victorian Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos says this will be an exciting time in Bendigo.

“This is an opportunity for Bendigo locals to enjoy a world class tournament. The Allan Labor Government is proud to support these events which bring players and spectators to a truly special part of Victoria, supporting local jobs, businesses and the economy.”

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said this will be a great spectacle in Bendigo.

“These events bring some of the best badminton players from the world to Bendigo which is a big win for local fans – locking this in for three more years is a great coup for the city, bringing tourists from far and wide.”

Badminton Oceania Secretary General Julie Carrel said the announcement represented a historic moment for badminton throughout the region.

“The funding support for these three tournaments in Bendigo marks a significant milestone for badminton across Oceania,” Ms Carrel said.

“The integration of able-bodied and Para badminton competitions in the same venue at the same time is not only a significant achievement but also demonstrates our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all athletes can come together to enjoy our great sport.

“We look forward to welcoming players and officials from across the world to Australia, this is a wonderful opportunity to compete, share experiences, and celebrate badminton and all that it offers.”

Event Prospectuses:

  • YONEX Bendigo International (October 15-19)
  • VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships (October 16-19)
  • YONEX Australian Para Badminton International (20-25 October – Including Classification)

For more information or media enquiries, please contact: Badminton Australia Event and Communications Manager, Anthony Pinda | anthony.pinda@badminton.org.au | 0417 378 993