The Jamaica Badminton Academy is announcing significant achievements and upcoming initiatives aimed at nurturing young badminton talent in Jamaica. 

Under the leadership of Matthew Lee and Kenneth Anglin, the academy is dedicated to providing a platform for children to enrich their lives through the sport, fostering not only a safe and competitive environment but also offering opportunities for international representation and educational advancement.

The academy focuses on promoting and encouraging badminton in Jamaica, offering training programmes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. The coaching staff is dedicated to developing top-level athletes while instilling essential values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The academy also emphasises a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and community building among its members.

Matthew Lee, director of Jamaica Badminton Academy, highlighted recent achievements, stating: “We currently have a lot of players selected to the national teams, especially for juniors. In the recent national junior championships, we had four medallists, including Zoelle Jamel who secured the Under-15 Girls Championship. We had a silver medallist, Joshua Walters, in the Under-13 Division, and I believe Hazel Tsang was in the final of the Under-11 Girls. These accomplishments demonstrate the growth and potential of our talented athletes.”

As the academy gears up for upcoming local tournaments, Lee emphasised the significance of these competitions in talent development. “Our unique schedule features multiple events, allowing young players to gain valuable experience in badminton tournaments. A new ranking system is being implemented (by the local governing body), providing players with the opportunity to earn points, leading to higher-tier tournaments and international representation,” he stated.

With international competitions on the horizon, the Jamaica Badminton Academy is preparing its athletes for the global stage. Lee explained: “We are particularly targeting the Junior Pan American Games, and we have designed a special training program for our high-performing athletes. Additionally, we are actively seeking sponsors to support these players’ representation on the international stage.”

Upcoming Tournaments

The local tournament calendar for 2024 includes exciting events such as the Tournament of Kings/Queens, Doubles Mania, Junior Classics, and the All Jamaica Super Series. These events offer participants a chance to showcase their skills and compete at various levels.

International Opportunities

The Jamaica Badminton Academy is gearing up for international tournaments, including the XXXII PAN AM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 and CARIBACO International Junior Championships. These events provide a platform for young athletes to represent Jamaica on an international stage.

The academy welcomes players from primary, prep, and high schools to join their training programmes, offering specialised coaching for different age groups. This presents a unique opportunity for children to not only excel in the sport but also enhance their university applications, pursue scholarships, and open doors to future job opportunities.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS:

Local Tournaments:

• February 24th – 25th: Tournament of Kings/Queens March – Club League, JG X Bad Boys Invitational April 20th – 21st: Doubles Mania
• May 18th – 19th: Junior Classics
• July: Summer Swing
• September: Club Knockouts
• November 9th – 10th & 16th – 17th: All Jamaica December 7th – 8th: Super Series

International Tournaments:

• July 11 – 13: XXXII PAN AM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 TEAM EVENT CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• July 15-19: XXXII PAN AM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 – U13 – U17 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• July 15-19: XXXII PAN AM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 – U19 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• August 21 – 25: CARIBACO International Junior Championships