Eastern Bay of Plenty Badminton is flying from strength to strength, with many schools stepping up ahead of AIMS Games.

Whakatāne Intermediate School, alongside Tarawera High School and Awakeri School, came together at the Whakatāne War Memorial Centre last week for a qualifying round for the Bay of Plenty Championships.

Girls and boys played over two consecutive days.

Whakatāne Intermediate badminton coach Kendra Lowndes was there with William Doney to guide the school teams through the process.

“The EBOP comp is an excellent chance for our AIMS players to build on their skills and get local games under their belts,” she said.

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for the kids who love badminton but aren’t in the AIMS team to jump in and have a go.”

With 20 girls’ and 22 boys’ teams competing in the qualifying round, it is likely badminton will be a hotly contested sport at the 2025 AIMS games in Tauranga, which begin on August 30.

Whakatāne also hosts the EBOP Junior Badminton Competition each year, which provides opportunities for players from schools to come together competitively and socially.

“Will and I have worked hard to create a fun, safe space where our players can enjoy the sport, support each other, and test themselves against other schools,” said Lowndes.

“Catching up with teams from around the Eastern Bay and seeing everyone’s progress is always one of the best parts of our season. It’s a perfect lead-up to BOP and AIMS later in the year. We can’t wait.”

With last year’s Year 8s from Whakatāne Intermediate School having gained a lot of personal bests, this year’s young players are excited about the season ahead.

Girls’ team captain Olivia Hathaway having played for a year and a half, revels in the competition side of the sport and the camaraderie.

“I enjoy it a lot as my rivals are also my friends. It’s a social environment with a leadership role that makes me a more confident person”.

The sports growth in Whakatāne is reflected across the wider Bay with a badminton complex in the planning stages in Tauranga.

BOP Badminton event co-ordinator Tarryn Espitalier is excited about the opportunities this provides.

“Badminton is the fastest growing sport in intermediate and secondary school circles, which is really encouraging, so we are happy to offer support where we can. Local school teams will now be able to come over and watch national events.”