Written by CCAA

EDMONTON, Alta. - The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) will host the 2021 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Badminton National Championships.

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) institution will host the event March 3-6, 2021 in Edmonton, AB.

NAIT has a rich tradition of excellence in Badminton, having captured 23 CCAA Championships. The Ooks previously hosted Badminton Nationals in 2014, 2010, 2002, 1998 and 1987.

"With this being the sixth time NAIT has hosted these CCAA Championships, I fully expect athletes and coaches to take away life long memories from this event," said Michael Kopinak, CCAA Badminton Convenor. "Edmonton, here we come!"

All matches will take place in the NAIT Gymnasium.

NAIT has strong support from both the Edmonton and Alberta Badminton communities. In addition, the institution has close ties to the Be Active Badminton Club, which has proven to be beneficial to both parties as student-athletes at NAIT have been able to train and compete against some of the city's most elite players.

Volunteers for Nationals will also come from the Edmonton District Badminton Association.

"The CCAA Championships represent the pinnacle of achievement in college sport and NAIT is prepared to settle for nothing less than a first-class tournament," said Jordan Richey, Athletics Manager at NAIT.

Overall, the Ooks have played host to 11 CCAA Championships, most recently the 2017 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championship.

When Kopinak first began coaching, NAIT was the site of one of the first CCAA Badminton Championships his players qualified for. The experience certainly left a mark.

"I distinctly remember walking into the venue and feeling like we were special – like we were at the Olympics or some World Championship," said Kopinak. "From that moment on, it became clear to me that NAIT had pride in hosting unforgettable, top notch experiences for CCAA student-athletes."

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