LIVELIGHTER COUNTRY CARNIVAL 2025: A Celebration of Regional Badminton Excellence
Badminton WA was proud to host the return of the LiveLighter Country Carnival on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June at Kingsway International Sports Stadium, with this year’s event embracing a team-based format following a trial of individual pairs in 2024.
This annual celebration of regional badminton brought together 85 players from six regional associations – Avon, Bunbury, Geraldton, Great Southern, Mandurah, and Wheatbelt – competing across three competitive divisions: Numbats (Division 1), Swans (Division 2), and Quokkas (Division 3). Teams were made up of two to three male and female players, playing five-match ties that included singles, doubles, and mixed doubles formats.
🏆 Team Results
NUMBATS (Division 1):
- 🥇 Gold: Mandurah 1 – Dorje Tamang, Marcus Khor, Tiffany Mah, Karissa Stewart, Sraynar Nuon
- 🥈 Silver: Geraldton Blue – Ugyen Namgyel, Zane Ugle, Jordan McDonald, Michelle McDonald, Tennille Criddle, Jodie Tonkin
- 🥉 Bronze: Bunbury 1 – Derek Garcia, Russell Richards, Lucas Chuan, Serena Lin, Rosie Smith
SWANS (Division 2):
- 🥇 Gold: Great Southern Eejits – Jerry Poiron, Hermer Rosquillo, Michelle Watson, Hannah Henderson
- 🥈 Silver: Mandurah 3 – Andrew Lo, Graeme Ward, Keiran Pitts, Grace Ramos, Cassandra Lejeunie
- 🥉 Bronze: Mandurah 4 – Jack Gauci, Raji Rey Lato, Nino Macapaz, Maxine Wong, Alicia Gooi
QUOKKAS (Division 3):
- 🥇 Gold: Mandurah 5 – Vinuanand Nityanand, Gurpret Sachdev, Arjun Si, Shin Saw, Kian Ying Wai
- 🥈 Silver: Great Southern No Idea – Rhett Eiffler, Dalton Henderson, Shannen Higginson, Veronica Panton (Metro)
- 🥉 Bronze: Wheatbelt 2 – Ken Turner, Cliff Altus, Haiden Sheridan, Ricci-Lee Sheridan
⚡ Lightning Mixed Doubles Knockout
A high-energy 32-pair knockout competition followed the team events, featuring fast-paced matches to 30 points with no setting.
- 🏆 Champions: Dorje Tamang and Tiffany Mah (Mandurah)
- 🥈 Runners-Up: Ugyen Namgyel and Michelle McDonald (Geraldton)
🎖 Individual Honours
- Sportsmanship Award: Dorje Tamang (Mandurah)
- Player Potential Award (Sponsored by Patron Gary Dymond): Alex Mitic (Avon)
- Best Dressed Team: The Whealtbelters – capturing the fun and spirit of the event.
🙌 Celebrating Regional Volunteers
As part of Badminton WA’s recognition of outstanding volunteer contributions, each region nominated their 2025 Regional Volunteer of the Year, presented with commemorative plaques by President Christine Ferguson and Vice President Lily Buttrose.
- Rosemary Smith (Bunbury) – Life Member and coaching coordinator, delivering development programs in schools and clubs across the South West.
- Rhett Eiffler (Great Southern) – Founding member and Secretary of the Great Southern Association, championing growth and officiating.
- Carla Van Tonder (Geraldton) – Junior Club President, Treasurer, and an energetic force in both junior and senior badminton development.
🙏 Acknowledgements
The event was delivered thanks to the commitment of a dedicated management and officiating team:
- Event Director: Christine Ferguson
- Technical Official: Judith Cousins
- Floor Assistant: Rita Bonjour
- Shuttle Control: John Granville
- Umpires: Five qualified officials, including Vice President Lily Buttrose
- Board Member Charles Pan and Executive Officer Rob Kennedy supported with logistics and coordination.
Badminton WA thanks all players, volunteers, and supporters who made the 2025 LiveLighter Country Carnival such a memorable celebration of regional badminton. Events like these embody the passion, community spirit, and commitment driving our sport across Western Australia.
