Concordia University of Edmonton of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) has been awarded the 2018 CCAA Badminton National Championships.
The bid was approved today in Ottawa during the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s annual winter board meeting. The Championships will be held in Edmonton, AB, Feb. 28 to March 3, 2018.
“I have no doubt that Concordia will do a phenomenal job of hosting the 2018 CCAA Badminton National Championships,” said Jordan Richey, CCAA Badminton Convenor. “Their badminton program is one of the strongest in the country and they have a rich history of sending players to the Nationals.”
Since 2002, the Thunder Badminton program has won four CCAA National Championships (2002 Women’s Singles, 2003 Women’s Doubles, 2004 Women’s Doubles and 2005 Mixed Doubles), eight CCAA National Silver medals and three CCAA Bronze medals.
Concordia has tight-knit relationships with both the local and provincial badminton community including the B-Active and Royal Glenora clubs in Edmonton, as well as provincially with Badminton Alberta.
“Their competition gym and venue for the CCAA All-Canadian banquet are second to none and should serve as the platform for a first-class championship,” said Richey.
While this is Concordia’s first CCAA National Championship, the institution has recently hosted the 2016 ACAC Women’s Soccer Championships, 2015 ACAC Badminton Championships, 2015 ACAC Indoor Track Championships and 2013 ACAC Cross Country Running Championships.
In 24 years as a CCAA member, the Thunder has been crowned CCAA National Champions on six occasions in addition to also earning 14 other CCAA National Championship medals.
During the 2014-15 season, Thunder head coach Kevin MacAlpine mentored former student-athlete Samantha Wong as a part of the CCAA’s Female Apprentice Coach Program. Wong remains with the program as an assistant coach.
The 2017 CCAA Badminton National Championships will be hosted by Seneca College in Toronto, ON, March 8-11.
