Fourteen young athletes from Badminton Cook Islands are in New Zealand this week to compete in the Auckland U17 Open tournament. SUPPLIED/25090201
Fourteen young athletes from Badminton Cook Islands are in New Zealand this week to compete in the Auckland U17 Open tournament, which kicks off this Saturday (Friday, Cook Islands time).
Ahead of the competition, the team will take part in a three-day training camp delivered by Badminton Oceania to sharpen their skills and prepare for the tournament.
President of Badminton Cook Islands, Thomas Mereana-Ngauru, said the trip is particularly valuable for players from Aitutaki and the younger members of the squad.
“They are definitely there to gain experience and be exposed to badminton at a higher level,” Mereana-Ngauru said. “But it would be great to see our more advanced players making it into the finals.”
The Team, In High Sirits As The Way Gearges Ten Anaury, Claude Simpson, Claude Simmo, and Zephenian Aute, and Zephania Akerau-Game – and Four Aitupete Tonika, and Talm Tonitara.
The group is managed by coach Manea Maretapu and manager Jean Akavi, with chaperones Sala Simpson and Ira Partarrieu providing additional support.
The 2025 Auckland U17 Open will be held on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, at Auckland Badminton, 99 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland.
