All three Vancouver schools contending for the B.C. badminton championships this week in Richmond feature players who train at elite badminton clubs and training centres in the Lower Mainland.
The tournament runs from May 29 to 31 and features the best high school badminton teams in the province, including Killarney, Prince of Wales and the defending champions, a combined team from private schools St. George’s and Crofton House.
The club players give their teams an advantage with leadership and court skills, and it is undeniable that the St. George’s / Crofton team benefits from the fact that a large number of athletes also compete on the national circuit.
In fact, 16-year-old Alexa Wu competed in the badminton World Junior Championships, held last month in Malaysia. Her schoolmate, Emma Lin, competed in the 2011 Junior Pan American Games. Benny Lin, no relation to Emma, was the strongest player for St. George’s last year when they won the high school provincial title. He finished second in U23 national men’s singles this year and competed at the 2012 Junior Pan Am Games. Benny has since graduated and passed the torch to his young brother, 15-year-old Jack. His mixed doubles teammate at the Pan Am Games was Christie Choy, who competes for Crofton House and plays girls doubles with Wu.
These players benefit from specialized sport training at places like the Vancouver Lawn, Tennis and Badminton Club, Vancouver Racquets Club, ClearOne Badminton Centre, and ACE Badminton.
With privileged access and a growing list of credentials, it is no surprise a tandem team build from the Saints and Ivy dominate at school tournaments. Crofton coach Benjamin Leung put it simply: “Practise makes perfect they say, and by training and playing lots outside of just the school team, our players are able to fine tune their skills that require more than just a few hours a week of school practise.”
Prince of Wales benefits from the club system but also finds a strong alumni culture bolsters their success and sense of school pride.
Carmen Tang is one of many coaches that have contributed to the Walesmen badminton dynasty — one that has seen the school qualify for provincials the past seven years.
“Alumni usually come back to help out the senior team, and students on the senior team coach the PW junior teams,” she said. “Our constant appearance in provincials wouldn't be possible without students giving back to the community.”
Walesmen senior Daniel Schultz trains at Vancouver Racquets Club and coaches younger players. “I've tried to transfer some of that experience into helping my [school] teammates improve as best I can,” he said.
Schultz’s club doubles partner is also his high school rival, and Felix Law added that coaching can reward the instructor as well. Law, of the city champion Killarney Cougars, explained that teaching the sport to beginners at VRC gave him a deeper understanding of on-court positioning, which has helped in his own game.
Not all students make the cut on school teams at Prince of Wales, David Thompson and Killarney which are all known for their competitive badminton programs. To give themselves an advantage in a crowded field, some students take lessons at badminton centres specifically to earn a spot on the school team.
“I’ve seen an influx of avid badminton players come to the centre, trying to make their school team,” said Darryl Yung, CEO and head coach at ClearOne Badminton Centre. But most importantly, Yung said training at a badminton centre gives players confidence.
“When they feel like they’ve had some training with our provincial and national players, it gives them this feeling that, ‘Geez I’m doing some good training here and I can be better,’” he said.
Jack Lin, the up-and-coming badminton star from St. George’s, has played at four junior national championships and will compete in this year’s Canada Open in July. However, he already understands what school badminton is all about.
“High school badminton isn't really about the title or the banner. It is about respect, responsibility, resilience, empathy, humility and integrity,” he said.
No doubt it’s nice to win the high school provincial title, too.
Provincials will be held at Richmond Pro Badminton Centre and ACE Badminton in Richmond.
