OUR TEAM IN 2019

Team NL Badminton has returned from Red Deer. They held their own against Nova Scotia, the 7th Place Team but were not victorious. In skill, our players were comparable to most of their opponents in this encounter. However, the large venue, complete with a crowd of spectators was somewhat nerve-wracking and took a major toll on the team’s performance.

Although this was a young team, with an average of only about three years of provincial training, they were not overwhelmed by the competition. Players and coaches all felt that we could have beaten Nova Scotia had we been able to bring out our best performance on the day.

Preparation for a competition of this magnitude requires more than a few months of practice. Comments from nearly all players on Canada Games teams 2019 as well as 2015 were consistent in recommending that four to five years of training were needed to realistically expect success.

SELECTION FOR 2023

Badminton NL maintains a Provincial Training Program with which to develop players to a high performance level. It is accessible to any junior player, from any area of the province, who has competent basic skills, a guiding coach who can work in conjunction with the Provincial Coach, and the determination to complete a structured training program. It is through this program that a junior can develop to a high performance calibre.

Canada Games Team 2023 will be selected from contenders with a minimum of three years dedicated effort within the Provincial Training Program. There will be no open try-outs.

Any players who have a desire to develop as competitors and represent our province in competition are encouraged to apply to the Provincial Training Program in time to commence training in season 2019-20. Those in the program who will be under 23 as of 31 December 2022 are eligible to contend for Canada Games 2023.

John Gillam, Provincial/High Performance Coach