Robbie Thackam observes NMI players during his 3rd Badminton U19 Training Camp at the Marianas High School gym.
Edward Lau, currently ranked 155 in the world, practices with NMI players during Robbie Thackham’s 3rd Badminton U19 Training Camp at the Marianas High School gym.
THE coaching and development manager for Badminton Oceania, Robbie Thackham, is back on island to host his third U19 Training Camp in preparation for the Northern Marianas Open 2024 and the Saipan International 2024 tournaments set for next month.
The training camp, which is held at the Marianas High School gym, kicked off on Tuesday and will end Sunday.
On Tuesday, Thackham conducted a course for new coaches to help them develop young players. From Wednesday to Sunday, he will focus on youth participants as they go through a performance training camp.
Thackham said he has seen great improvements compared to last year. “Skills have definitely developed — so they’re improving,” he added. “They are not used to a full day of training but after that they have been doing really good so far. This time, we’re looking at a lot of skills around the net and also playing with more intensity and how can we be more consistent when playing with more pressure and moving faster. Those are the key things that we are looking at,” Thackham said.
After last year’s developmental program, the NMI Junior National Badminton Team won a bronze medal at the Pacific U17 Invitational Team Challenge 2024 hosted by Geelong, Australia in February.
“They did really really well…and they actually have another tournament coming up in September — the world junior championships. This is their preparation for their final selection process,” Thackham said, referring to the ongoing training camp.
Thackham said NMI players just have to be patient so they can get into a higher level. “They just need to train on a weekly basis throughout the year and [their level] will only get higher,” he added.
This year’s camp has 20 players from the NMI and two from Guam.
“Their levels are quite consistent and there are a couple of new players, which is good,” Thackham said. “They need to experience training at a higher level, a higher intensity, and training harder than they are used to every day.”
For his part, Northern Marianas Badminton Association Vice President Nate Guerrero said, “So far, the clinic is good. I see the kids working hard and striving to be better. I hear good feedback from both the players and Coach Robbie as well. The players were very excited that Robbie came back so they really are pushing themselves and making the best of the opportunity.”
This year, Thackham brought New Zealand player Edward Lau to help show proper fundamentals to the training camp participants.
Lau is currently ranked 155 in the world.
Guerrero said NMBA appreciates Thackham’s efforts. “The NMI benefits greatly because his training and advice go a long way in increasing their playing level and making them better players. Imparting his knowledge to the players, coaches and NMBA officers also goes a long way in how we conduct our training sessions and tournaments.”
