{"id":409731,"date":"2024-06-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=409731"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Coach-Robbie-back-for-badminton-training-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Coach-Robbie-back-for-badminton-training-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Coach Robbie back for badminton training camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robbie Thackham, Badminton Oceania Coaching and Development manager, is back on Saipan for a weeklong badminton training camp for 20 junior badminton players at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

Along with the local players, two Guam badminton players tagged along in the six-day training camp that started last Tuesday and will end this Sunday.<\/p>\n

Thackham, who\u2019s on his fourth visit to Saipan already, said that the training camp consists of morning and afternoon sessions.<\/p>\n

The morning sessions are more on badminton footwork, cardio, and conditioning. The afternoon\/evening sessions are more on technical skills.<\/p>\n

Assisting Thackham in the camp is New Zealand badminton player Edward Lau, who is also competing in the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024 that is slated for July 2 to 7 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

With already three other clinics he\u2019s hosted in the past, Thackham said the skill level has developed since the last time he visited in October. \u201cThe quality is much better this time and they\u2019re more prepared, so I can push them a little bit harder and put some more tougher training into them.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, he was back on island for a coaching course that eight NMI players attended. Then, after the training camp, he\u2019ll stay for the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024.<\/p>\n

There, he said, \u201cI\u2019ll start off doing some stringing in the tournament, but some of these players in the camp, I\u2019ll help them with their first matches.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the junior players who will compete in the upcoming tourney, he said, \u201cIt\u2019s just the experience for them. They\u2019re obviously going to be competing against some of the top players in the world, but the biggest thing is the experience. You don\u2019t get better unless you can see international badminton. So, it\u2019s key that the tournaments are here because they get to actually experience what the top players in the world look like. Otherwise, if you don\u2019t see that, it\u2019s hard to aim and improve to that level.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that it\u2019s great there are more international tournaments that will be played here. \u201cWhen I looked at the draws, there are so many strong players that will come and play this tournament. It\u2019s one of the strongest\u2014Grade 3 international tournaments in the Oceania region. This year it\u2019ll be different because it\u2019s not an Olympic qualifier, but the quality of the players are still really, really high.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abigael Robles, for her part, said of the camp, \u201cIt\u2019s been really fun. I\u2019ve been looking forward to it for a really long time.\u201d On what was the key takeaway for her, she said, \u201ctalent is something that you have, but it\u2019s nothing if you don\u2019t work hard.\u201d As she is 19, she is one of other NMI players competing in the U19 2024 BWF Badminton World Junior Championships in China later this year.<\/p>\n

For 16-year-old Dave Odicta, he also said the camp is fun. On what he thinks of Thackham, he said, \u201cHe\u2019s a really motivating man. He really helps with badminton skills, our technical skills, and our footwork everyday\u2014that\u2019s good of him as a coach, especially since he flew all the way from New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n

He is competing in the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024, and as a young player, he said, \u201cI\u2019m excited but also nervous. But I want to learn more from new players and get insights on their play style and technical skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Participants of the badminton training camp hosted by Coaching and Development manager for Badminton Oceania Robbie Thackham, pose for a group photo at the Marianas High School Gymnasium yesterday.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Coaching and Development manager for Badminton Oceania Robbie Thackham sets up some drills for the 20 junior badminton players from the NMI and Guam yesterday in his badminton training camp at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

NMI badminton player Kyle Salcedo goes after the birdie during a session with Badminton Oceania Robbie Thackham in their badminton training camp yesterday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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