LAST weekend, Awakeri Badminton Club hosted its first badminton exchange with Eastland Badminton Club from Gisborne.  

Each club had a squad of 28 players comprising under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 teams.

This exchange came about after Kirsty and Lyndon Reid from Awakeri Badminton met Geoff Wright from Eastland Badminton at an Under-17 Waikato Invitational Tournament in February.

They got to talking about their small clubs' similarities; both have just four courts and a fair distance to travel to play against other clubs.  

They discussed how beneficial it would be for the young members from both clubs to be able to play against a wider range of players during the long gaps between national and regional badminton tournaments.  

It was decided that Awakeri would host this year’s exchange and, if successful, the two clubs would try to make it into an annual event, with Gisborne hosting next year.  

The exchange began on Saturday with a welcome lunch followed by some mixed doubles, then boy’s and girl’s doubles.

In the event, the clubs enjoyed dinner together before the players had some downtime getting to know each other. This included playing more badminton along with soccer, basketball and cards.

To conclude the day, the two clubs enjoyed an hilarious game of charades, then stayed “marae styles” in the lounge area of the Awakeri Events Centre.  

Sunday began with a big breakfast, and then rolled straight into singles matches.  

At the conclusion of the singles games, while the exchange scores were being tallied, Awakeri and Eastland had a farewell lunch together.

The exchange concluded with a small prize-giving.

The overall winner of the exchange was Awakeri, having won the under-15, under-17 and under-19 trophies. Eastland won the under-13 trophy.

Kirsty Reid said the players and their whānau were a credit to their clubs.

“They were all so lovely and polite and were a pleasure to host.

“Lifelong friendships have been made and the players can’t wait to catch up again soon.”

Wright said it was an amazing opportunity for everyone.  

“Awakeri were an amazing host; they fed, housed and looked after us and made us part of their family.”

Reid said the Awakeri Events Centre was the perfect venue as it had everything they could need for an event of this size: badminton courts, showers, toilets, kitchen facilities, large eating and sleeping area, space to run around outside, plenty of parking.

They are grateful to the NZCT, which covered the cost of accommodation and shuttles for the event, and sponsors Nickz Auto Services in Edgecumbe, WJ Dippie in Tāneatua and Bay Spreaders. Delish Pizzas in Edgecumbe, Awakeri Takeaways and Jewelz, Whakatāne also helped make it a memorable exchange.