The first ever New Zealand Secondary School Junior Badminton Championships were held late-November in Auckland. For six Auckland schools, this was their first time attending a NZSS Badminton event, and two of them – ACG Parnell College and Botany Downs Secondary College – headed home as national champions.
On the final day of play, all teams in the Boys’ Division played off for their final placings, with the victors of each group meeting each other in the title fight. Top seeded Lynfield College progressed undefeated through the group stage, dropping just five matches. They were prepared to face a stiff challenge in the final, with ACG Parnell (winners of Group B) also undefeated, losing just a single match. The final was a fitting result, with ACG Parnell winning the hard-fought tie 3-2. In the 3rd/4th playoff tie, Auckland Grammar School defeated Palmerston North Boys’ High School 4-1.
In the Girls’ Division, runners-up Avondale College had two close encounters with St Oran’s but were unable to overcome them.
Botany Downs Secondary College and Mt Roskill Grammar School both enjoyed success in the mixed competition. Champions Botany Downs Secondary College were undefeated throughout the event, while Mt Roskill fell only to Botany Downs, to finish second. Third place was taken out by Manurewa High School, with some emerging talent that will pose a threat in future.
Badminton New Zealand would like to thank their partners Four Winds Foundation, OnePure, Honda, Bartercard and Massey University, whose support enables events like this to run.