Cook Islands Badminton U15 team returned home last week, after an intense match against New Caledonia ending with a silver medal win.

Badminton Oceania states that the mixed team action of the Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge wrapped up with deserving victories, as New Caledonia triumphed in a 3-2 tie against the Cook Islands, completing their successful run to take out the Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge title.

Badminton Oceania states that it was a fierce competition, with rising young talents from across the region showing incredible promise.

President of Cook Islands Badminton Association, Thomas Mereana-Ngauru says: “I am so proud of our young team placing 2nd at this year's Under 15 Pacific Invitation Team Challenge held on the North Shore in Auckland, New Zealand.

“Preceded by a combined three day training camp which included teams from Guam, Northern Marianas, Wallis & Futuna and New Caledonia.  The three day round robin competition came down to the final two top teams Cooks and New Caledonia with Cooks valiantly going down 3 - 2 after an intense boys doubles”.

Team members were Hinarii Taulu-Amo, Terito Napa, Trudeinus Tuaputa, Zephania Aperau-Toa, Claude and Vincent Simpson, coached by Manea Maretapu and the team manager was Thecla Oti-Tuaputa.

A look back at the match, Badminton Oceania states that in an exciting U15 mixed team match, New Caledonia came from behind to defeat the Cook Islands 3-2, showcasing resilience and determination across the five matches.

Match 1: First up was the mixed doubles, Claude Simpson and Henrynna Napa of the Cook Islands faced Lyam Sargito and Augustine Capitaine from New Caledonia. The Cook Islands pair took the first match 21-17, 21-10, getting their team off to a strong start and putting them 1-0 up in the tie.

Match 2: In the women’s singles, Trudeinus Tuaputa from the Cook Islands faced Olympe Darcheville of New Caledonia in the girls’ singles. Tuaputa fought hard, but Darcheville triumphed, leveling the score at 1-1 and keeping the Cook Islands in the hunt.

Match 3: In the boys’ singles, Vincent Simpson of the Cook Islands took on Kimi Durand from New Caledonia. Durand showed his strength and consistency, winning 21-11, 21-13, and giving New Caledonia their first lead of the tie at 2-1.

Match 4: In an exciting girls’ doubles match, Henrynna Napa and Trudeinus Tuaputa of the Cook Islands faced Augustine Capitaine and Olympe Darcheville of New Caledonia. Despite a tough challenge, the Cook Islands pair came out on top, winning 21-19, 21-14, and evening the tie at 2-2, setting up a decisive final match.

Match 5: It all came down to the final match, where Claude and Vincent Simpson of the Cook Islands played against Kévin Durand and Lyam Sargito from New Caledonia. The New Caledonia duo showed their composure and clinched the tie with a 21-15, 21-15 victory, securing a 3-2 win for New Caledonia.

The Cook Islands gave a strong performance but ultimately fell short in the final boys’ doubles match.

The team returned on February 12.

Mereana-Ngauru added: “In terms of the development of badminton in the country this result is a great indication of where they are tracking compared to other players in the region. Unfortunately for us we don't have the numbers at the moment to provide the competition our juniors need hence travel overseas to gain that experience and stay up to par with our pacific colleagues.”

He acknowledged Bank of Cook Islands and CITC (Cook Islands Trading Corporation), their patrons and the community for their continuous support.