The NAIT Ooks badminton team, led by their head coach, Alan Chow, begin their season this weekend with the first tournament at The Kings University on Sunday, January 16th.
Last year, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistant coach Nicholas Roque says, "COVID hasn't had an impact on our practice methods; however, it has impacted team bonding because the players aren't all at school consistently due to online classes." Due to the pandemic, this season has been deemed a transition back to play with a reduced schedule, but Roque said it isn't just his team that is impacted, "COVID has impacted the entire league. ACAC badminton tournaments have decreased from four to two this year. Badminton has also been reduced to a one-semester sport instead of the traditional full-year sport."
Despite the setbacks, the NAIT Ooks badminton team has a lot of potential this season. Roque says, "we currently have four returning and five new players on the team. The veterans have been able to create a positive & comfortable environment for the new players. The new players have been able to add additional energy to the team, which gives everyone more motivated to work hard." The team is also flexible, says Roque, "we currently have six men & three women on the team. The player's partners may change for each tournament depending on the situation. I believe that our players are very adaptable, allowing them to compete in all events (Singles, Doubles & Mixed Doubles)."
The first tournament will be an excellent gauge to see where the team stands in the league. The Ooks do have a few top contenders that Roque says we should look out for, "be on the lookout for Smit Patel in Men's Singles & Men's Doubles (w/ Davis), Davis Wong in Men's Doubles (w/ Smit) & Mixed Doubles (w/ Ivy) and Ivy Ung in Mixed Doubles (w/ Davis)
The second tournament is Sunday, February 6th, at NAIT. The ACAC Championships will occur at Olds College on February 19th and 20th. The NAIT Ooks are slated to host the CCAA Badminton National Championship from March 2-5.