Name: Oliver Linton
Age: 20
Association: Manawatu
Para-badminton Classification: SL3

Getting into Badminton
Q. What was your first experience of playing badminton?
A. I played in the Manawatu Badminton Secondary School Competition when I was in year 9 at school.

Q. Where did you go to play badminton on a more regular basis?
A. I play socially at Crossroads Church. Then I contacted the local Palmerston North Badminton Club, who play at Arena Manawatu on Tuesday’s.

Q. When did you realise you wanted to play at a high level?
A. I realised I needed some coaching in late 2018 if I was going to improve and enjoy badminton.

Q. What were the next steps and what organisations were able to help you?
A. Manawatu Badminton Association for badminton coaching. Parafed Manawatu for initial encouragement.

Badminton Oceania Para-Badminton Training Camp
Q. What does your weekly training schedule involve?
Monday: One-to-one coaching with Joshua Curry at St Peter’s College
Tuesday: Palmerston North Badminton Club night 7:30pm at Arena Manawatu
Wednesday: 30 minute run and practice drills
Thursday: Badminton at Crossroads Church
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 20 minute run
Sunday: United Badminton Club 2pm at PN Intermediate Normal School

Q. How does it feel to be travelling to Australia as part of a New Zealand contingent?
A. Fantastic and I am really looking forward to it.

Q. Do you have any specific goals you want to achieve during or after the camp?
A. I want to have fun and do my best, especially in doubles. I want to test my ability level against other para-badminton players.

Para-Badminton
Badminton is a sport for all and for the first time para-badminton will be included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. As with badminton, para-badminton athletes will compete in mens and womens singles, mens and womens doubles and mixed doubles. To ensure fairness, athletes are divided into six classifications: WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SS6.
For more information visit the Badminton World Federation website: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/para-badminton/

Saturday 8th June saw 3 Manawatu teams playing Inter-Association ties across the central and lower North Island. Super-Vets were in Taranaki, while Senior Div 3 played at Wellington North & Senior Div 5 was in action in Rotorua.

Super-Vets
Beat Taranaki 6-3 & Beat Northland 6-3

Manager Simon Allan:
“There was a gale blowing in New Plymouth as the Manawatu Super-vets stormed into town and put two matches under their belt! It was a case of 6:3, 6:3 in a great performance by all players. Our thanks to Janice Cudby, (a youngster and whose games have to be forfeited due to age!) for supporting the women and allowing the full matches to be played. This bodes well for Manawatu Super-vets retaining the Division 1 status come season’s end. It truly is amazing to see these older people play. Be assured we are keeping a space for aging badminton players in the future, should you reach the critical age and manage to oust the present thriving members of the squad!”

Senior Div 3
Lost to Auckland 3 10-1 & Lost to Wellington 1 10-1

Manager Joshua Curry:
“Last weekend was a challenging weekend for our Div 3 team coming up against 2 of the strongest teams in the division in Auckland 3 and Wellington 1. While going down 10-1 in both ties, there were some encouraging signs with our younger players stepping up and becoming more competitive in their matches showing noticeable improvement over the first weekend. Against Auckland Ben and Fiona fought hard in their mixed to secure us our only win in a tight 3 game match. In our 2nd tie it was Isabella and Fiona that pulled through for a solid win against Wellington in the doubles. Isabella came oh so close to a victory in the 3rd game of her singles against an experienced Tracey Tham eventually going down 25-23.”

Senior Div 5
Beat Wellington North 3 6-5 & Beat Counties Manukau 3 6-5

Manager James Veitch:
“With two (not-so-new) faces coming into the team to replace absence and injury, the team put in 2 fantastic performances to snatch both wins from our ties this weekend. Special mentions must go to Jamie and Rose for stepping into the team, as well as Jovanah & Chris, who both extended their undefeated records in singles! The days play culminated when heading into the final 3 mixed matches, needing all 3 for the win against Counties Manukau 3, to whom we lost 9-7 last year… cue celebrations! Congratulations to both Jovanah & Rose who jointly shared MVP for this weekend, with Jason a close third.”