Araura College took the 10th Annual College Badminton Tournament held late last month by storm, drawing strength from last year’s experience to win both the junior and senior grades in their second year of competing.

Badminton Cook Islands hosted its annual tournament, which saw participation from all schools on Rarotonga and Araura College from Aitutaki. Students from Years 7 through 10 competed in the event.

Sixteen students from Araura participated in this year’s tournament, accompanied by coach Rere Mataiti, manager Kaiti Paiti, teacher Ana Pareanga, and a parent. This group travelled to Rarotonga for the tournament held on Thursday, May 22.

Mataiti commended the team for the achievement. He noted that the clean sweep was an unexpected outcome for the team, especially given that it was only their second time participating in the annual event

“I am super happy, so proud of our students” Mataiti told Cook Islands News.

The players were understandably proud of their achievements at the end of the tournament.

Their excitement was evident, a result from their hard work through numerous after-school sessions, restless practices and countless learning experiences.

Mataiti said they entered the tournament with the goal of defending the junior title they won in 2024.

Due to the motivation, support and encouragement from the coach, the team pulled through and successfully delivered a significant outcome, winning both the junior and senior titles.

“I knew Tereora College will be our strongest senior opposition due to the number of awesome players they have, but that did not hold our students back to achieve their dreams,” Mataiti said.

“I was keeping a record of our wins on the day and encouraging our students before every game to give it their best and play smart.”

The team trained two to three days a week from 4pm to 6pm after school.

Mataiti said that six weeks before the tournament, the Araura team began their training, as well as running social badminton games in the Araura College hall every Monday from 6pm to 8pm.

The team also held two fundraisers prior to the tournament, each raising over $4000 ($8000 in total) to pay for airfares and food.

The ground transportation and accommodation were both sponsored by Member of Parliament Teokotai “Tango” Herman, including donations of food and money from three Aitutaki MPs.

Coach Mataiti encountered a slight challenge in replacing the previous Year 10 players and recruiting new Year 7 girls for participation

“Once we found them, I worked on building their skills,” he said. “Slow progression for the new ones but success at the end.”

Mataiti would like to acknowledge the following supporters from Rarotonga: the three Members of Parliament from Aitutaki, former prime minister Henry Puna, MP Akaiti Puna, Teking Reva George and Tino and Teina Napa for their support.

He would also like to express his appreciation to the students’ parents for their support and effort in organising the fundraisers, and to Araura College for the use of the school hall for trainings.