This past weekend, Victoria's top junior badminton players competed in the Junior Team Championships, showcasing their skills across U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 categories. 

These championships are crucial for nurturing young talent, offering a platform for both metropolitan and regional teams to compete and build team culture from the grassroots up. 

The Victorian Country Team, made up of standout regional players, made its debut at these championships. Unlike regional-only events, this tournament features teams from metropolitan clubs, which often have more resources and a competitive edge. 

The initiative is designed to support and develop regional talent, allowing players from all parts of Victoria to excel on a larger stage. 

Vountus Indra, Head Coach of the U17 Victorian Country Team, praised the squad's performance, saying, “The teams played a great brand of badminton and showed exactly why they were selected in the Vic Country squad. Amazing fighting spirit and never giving in attitude was the Victorian way.” 

Clint Proctor, CEO of Badminton Victoria, commended the Victorian Country Team’s performance, stating, “It was fantastic to witness everyone from around regional Victoria come together and compete at the State Junior Teams. We are incredibly proud of all the players' commitment to the sport and high performance.”

While the team didn’t secure a medal, players valued the competitive experience. Geelong’s Andrea Wong (U13) remarked, “It was fun. I’m happy to play. It was challenging but enjoyable.” 

Shepparton’s Aaron Bose (U13) noted, “This is the biggest exposure I’ve ever had, and it was very fun. I’ll keep training to improve.” 

Bendigo’s Adam Lagman (U13) shared, “I really enjoyed the experience and made some friends. It was great training with everyone.” 

The Junior Team Championships highlighted Victoria’s emerging badminton talent, with the Victorian Country Team continuing to build its national profile and showcase the potential of regional athletes. 

U17 Victorian Country Team  

Campbell Truscott 

Ko Tipyi Soung 

Ashwin Bharathi 

Samantha Jandhi Suico 

Aarya Sapehyia 

Abilashini Palanisamy 

 
U13 Victorian Country Team 

Aaron Bose Abin 

Luke Jia 

Adam Lagman 

Andrew Wong 

Rita Li 

Chole Chan