Alora College successfully held the 2024 School Badminton Championship

Aitutaki’s Araula College proved great things can come from unexpected places with a strong debut at the Schools Badminton Championships at Tupapa National Hall this week.

Araura College successfully competed in the school year 7 and 8 badminton championships for the first time, competing against Tereora College, Titikaveka College, Nukutere College, Papaaroa School, Apii Te Uki Ou, Apii Avarua, Apii Nikao and Apii Arorangi.

The 16-member Aitutaki team surprised competitors and spectators with outstanding results in several categories, including the overall junior title, junior men’s singles title and women’s doubles title.

Furthermore, all of their players made it to the semifinals.

Since most of the tourists picked up a badminton racket for the first time last semester, they were a little nervous when the game started.

Alora Academy coach Leilei Matati is proud of his team’s success.

“Our kids are good at volleyball, and when we started badminton last semester, I saw great potential in the kids,” shared Matati.

“We had help from Thomas (Naglu), the president of the Badminton Association. We were also lucky that four of the top players from the Cook Islands came to Aitutaki and that really inspired our kids.

“It boosted the morale of our kids to see the top players in our country.”

The players at Alora Academy started training nine weeks ago, two days a week in the evening, and gradually increased to three days.

Mataiti would like to thank school teacher Anna Pareanga, team manager Kaiti Paiti, and the amazing parents who “supported us.”

Two big fundraisers in Aitutaki provided funding for Rarotonga.

“We would also like to thank Ivan Smith of Air Rarotonga for supporting our children and giving them this opportunity,” Matati said.

Cook Islands Badminton Association president Thomas Ngauru said they were delighted Alora College had accepted the invitation to take part in the annual schools event.

“We are amazed by their dedication and the rate at which students are progressing and we would not be surprised if they take home a trophy or two,” Ngauru said.

From 9am today, Year 9 and Year 10 students will compete at the National Auditorium badminton court. Families and the public are welcome to cheer on these budding badminton stars.