High Performance

High Performance

High Performance plays an important role within Waikato Badminton. In 2004 WBA started a plan to have Waikato teams and players competing at the highest level – including representing NZ at key international events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

It has been an amazing journey so far; one of the highlights was Waikato winning the Wisden Cup (NZ’s premier provincial league) in 2010, the first time since 1937 and completing the three-peat in 2012 and winning it again in 2016. This has been achieved after many years of hard work; players built up their training programme from just once a week in 2004 to training almost every day!

Waikato is now one of the leading regions in NZ when it comes to High Performance; the only region that is consistently able to compete with the Auckland regions.

chris & erena
Vinny Harris
shirt design
Susannah Leydon-Davis_Senior Player of the Year Nominations
20160806 IMG_5394_
Oliver Leydon-Davis

Success Factors

  • The ongoing support from the WBA management committee, the coaches, administrators and volunteers.
  • The support from the Waikato University by providing the opportunity for Waikato players to apply for a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship which provides a great incentive for our players to stay in Hamilton. Waikato Badminton currently has a number of HP players on the Hillary programme which not only covers University fees, but also provides key sport science support, leadership development opportunities and valuable interaction with other HP athletes from other codes. To find out more about the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship click on the following link (www.waikato.ac.nz/about/hillary) or contact the Waikato Badminton Director of Coaching by emailing coaching@waikatobadminton.co.nz or phone 027 856 3049.
  • The tremendous effort of the players in the HP programme. The choices they make on a daily basis, the support they receive from their family and friends, and the dedication, passion and commitment they display to be ‘the best they can be’ is an example for all Waikato players.

If you would like to know more about the Waikato High Performance programme please contact our Director of Coaching:

p 07 856 3049
m 027 856 3049
e coaching@waikatobadminton.co.nz

2017 High Performance players

Oliver Leydon-Davis (Based in Denmark)
Asher Richardson (Based in Germany)
Erena Calder-Hawkins (Hillary Scholar)
Matthew Graham (Hillary Scholar)
Vincent Harris (Hillary Scholar)
Chris Steeghs (Hillary Scholar)
Susannah Leydon-Davis
Jahvaya Wheki