The Badminton Cook Islands team that represented Counties Manukau Badminton at the New Zealand 2023 Junior Team Championship have all returned home with their medals.

Te Pa Tupa, Zarrian Heather Rau, Tereapii Akavi and Kaiyin Mataio returned to Rarotonga with their bronze medals after competing in the U17 Division.

And silver medals were awarded to Edon Teraitua in the U15 Division One and Gold for Lana Aperau-Toa in the U15 Division Two.

Badminton Cook Islands president Thomas Ngauru said they are absolutely thrilled with the players results.

Ngauru said: “It was an overwhelming experience for our players, not just the high level of play but the large number of players and the gigantic playing venue. 

“The great thing about playing for Counties Manukau is they got the opportunity to play with some great players and top juniors like Lezhi Zhu, Tristan Apalisok and Darren Wee as well as against New Zealand's top juniors.”

He said it was a great environment for Cook Island based players to learn and prepare for upcoming competitions like World Junior Champs in September in USA and New Zealand Junior Nationals in October.  They thanked Counties Manukau Club for the opportunity including Robbe Thackham of Badminton Oceania and everyone who supported the team especially CITC Supermarket for the Saturday Sausage sizzles.