WARRNAMBOOL Whales will have strong representation in a regional badminton squad.
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Fourteen Warrnambool Badminton Association players will play for South-West at the Victorian junior regional championships in Melbourne on Sunday.
Six regions from across the state — three metropolitan and three country — will compete in the one-day competition.
Warrnambool coach Robyn Amess said the Whales almost matched powerhouse Geelong for player numbers.
“We are happy. It’s almost 50-50 across the teams which is good,” she said.
“We always struggle against metro clubs. That’s the way the badminton world is but we should finish top two in the country draw.
“It’s an unknown quantity because the kids aren’t used to playing together.”
Amess said the competition was a stepping stone for players.
“Jayden Stokie and Belinda Amess have represented our region since under 13 age in 2007 and will compete in their last year of under 17 this year,” Amess told The Standard.
“2007 was the first year Warrnambool Badminton Association joined forces with Geelong association and competed for the South West region.”
“It’s fair to say that our youngest representatives in 2007 have now competed at all age levels and are great role models for debutants such as Dominic Crothers.”
Amess said the state junior regional championships would help fast-track players’ development.
“Matthew Crothers will play with one of the strongest boys from Geelong in Jacob Schueller,” she said.
“Jacob is a Victorian under 15 representative and Matthew will learn a lot from him.
“Jayden Stokie is our strongest player. He will do well down there but he has to play the number ones from the metros.
“Jayden and Rhianna McLeod should do well in the mixed.”
Warrnambool’s representatives are: under 17: Jayden Stokie, Rhianna McLeod, Belinda Amess, Michael Taylor, Nathan Crothers, Matt Taylor and Tiah Drake; under 15: Matthew Crothers, Matthew Dennis, Michael Loughhead and Emma Keegan; under 13: Thomas Crothers, Dominic Crothers and Temika Gay.
Warrnambool coaches Amess, Jackie Crothers, Brendan Gay and Stokie will guide the South West squad.
Warrnambool Badminton Association’s junior tournament, featuring singles, doubles and mixed, is on September 9.
justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au