Three teams of 16 players are getting ready for the 2024 VICTOR Oceania Championships in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

On Sunday, the teams including management attended a church service at the Church of Latter Day Saints, Takitumu Branch, as they had one more week until the team departs for the Victor Oceania Champs and also U17 Pacific Challenge in Melbourne, Australia.

According to Badminton Oceania, the Oceania Championships fall within the Olympic qualification period and present a perfect opportunity for players to gain valuable world ranking points towards qualification on the Road to Paris.

The tournament will attract around 200 players and support staff from the 14 Oceania member countries.

The Oceania Championships (individual events) will be held from February 12-15, followed by the Oceania Men’s and Women’s Team Championships from February 16-18.

There are expected to be over 212 players with support staff from eight Oceania countries taking the court in Geelong.

The Pacific U17 Training Camp will be held on February 14 and 15, and the Pacific U17 Team Challenge will take place from February 16-18.

Badminton Oceania says: “This opportunity for young Pacific players is the focus of the Badminton Oceania Tier 3 Player Development Programme for 2024, a follow on from the Pacific u15 Invitation Team Challenge and development camp played in Auckland in 2023.”

Teams and players from Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Northern Marianas, and Tahiti, together with their managers and coaches, will be involved in the development camp for two days prior to the u17 Pacific Challenge. 

The camp will include on court and off court work including an integrity session showcasing the Badminton World Federation’s Player Education – Dual Career Programme.

Cook Islands Badminton team is sponsored by Bank Cook Islands (BCI).