Badminton’s brightest young talents bound for Shepparton

SHEPPARTON is set to become a hub for young badminton talent as the city prepares to host the AIA Junior State Circuit Tournament for the next three years. This exciting announcement comes as a result of a three-year partnership between the Greater Shepparton City Council and Badminton Victoria.

The first event took place on March 2-3, 2024, the two-day event was held at the Shepparton Sports Stadium. The tournament showcased some of Victoria’s finest young badminton players, with U/15 and U/19 draws competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories.

Mayor, councillor Shane Sali, expressed his delight at hosting the event, stating, “Badminton is a growing sport and we are proud to invite these young athletes to experience all that Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley has to offer.”

Badminton Victoria CEO Clinton Proctor echoed the sentiment, expressing his excitement at bringing the tournament to Shepparton and unveiling the Regional High-Performance Junior Pathway, a new initiative aimed at nurturing young talent in regional areas.

This partnership not only strengthens ties with local badminton clubs but also enhances the region’s sporting event program, promising a positive impact on the local economy and businesses.