Cook Islands U15 badminton team is set to compete in the 2025 Pacific Invitational, hosted by Badminton Oceania.

The tournament, which coincides with the Oceania Mixed Teams Championships, will take place at Auckland’s North Shore from February 7-12.

This biennial event is a key opportunity for young players to showcase their talent on an international stage.

The Cook Islands team, featuring three boys and three girls, will aim to build on their impressive performance at the inaugural U15 competition in 2023.

That year, they earned a silver medal after a thrilling 3-2 loss in the final against Tahiti. This time, they are determined to go one step further and claim gold. The team includes Vincent Simpson, Claude Simpson, Zephania Aperau-Toa, Trudeinus Tuaputa, Terito Napa, and Hinaarii Taulu-Amo.

Thomas Ngauru, President of the Cook Islands Badminton Federation, expressed his confidence in the young athletes, saying, “We are incredibly proud of this team. They’ve shown immense potential, and with hard work and dedication, I’m confident they’ll deliver a strong performance in Auckland.”

The upcoming competition will feature teams from across the Pacific, including New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Guam, and the Northern Marianas. With such strong competition, the Cook Islands team has already begun an intense three-month training program. This preparation will focus on sharpening their technical skills, improving physical fitness, and building team cohesion.

Alongside training, the team will engage in regular fundraising activities to support their campaign. These efforts include events at CITC Supermarket, where the community has shown strong support in the past.

The team also acknowledges the invaluable support from their sponsors. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Bank of the Cook Islands and Badminton Oceania for making this journey possible," Ngauru added.

With a rigorous training schedule and strong community support, the Cook Islands U15 Badminton team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead in Auckland. Their participation in the Pacific Invitational represents a valuable opportunity to compete at a high level and gain international experience.

The team is focused on building upon their previous success and representing the Cook Islands with pride.

Meanwhile, the Aitutaki Badminton Association held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 11.

According to Badminton Cook Islands, this meeting is a big step for the local badminton community, bringing together players, coaches, and fans who are excited to grow the sport on the island.

They discussed plans for future tournaments, community outreach, and training programs to help players of all ages improve their skills.

Recently, junior players from Aitutaki showed their talent in a College tournament and the AIMS competition.