In a triumphant display of skill, leadership, and dedication, Ritu Shah has secured her place as the 2023-2024 CCAA Women’s Badminton Player of the Year, marking her second consecutive win.

The student-athletes were honoured at the 2024 CCAA Badminton National Championships, hosted by Seneca Polytechnic in King City, ON.

Jack Ronahan, UKC Devil’s badminton coach, said, “With unparalleled skills on the court, and a magnetic personality off the court, Ritu is a beloved member of the badminton community. Her precision and agility on court make her a formidable competitor, while her warm and approachable personality have endeared to all those who meet her. Ritu dominates the game while also exemplifying what sportsmanship is, making her a great role model for all those in the Atlantic region and beyond. “

Not only a leader on the court, Shah finds time to volunteer with several student organizations. She is the second-year rep for the Dal Neuroscience Society, a Dal Global Medical Brigades donations committee member, and volunteers with Boelab.com.

On the court, as part of Nova Scotia’s provincial team, she brought home one of Nova Scotia’s first medals from the Canada Games in over two decades, with her silver in women’s singles at the 2023 Canada Games. Shah was also named Badminton Nova Scotia Athlete of the Year in 2023. Beyond all this, she finds time in her busy schedule to coach at two different clubs (JBTC and CGC).

“Ritu is the type of student-athlete every program wants to recruit. Excelling both on and off the court, she makes everyone better around her. What makes Ritu even more deserving is that she finds time to give back to the local badminton community year-round, spending at least one night per week coaching young athletes while balancing a full course load, training program, and volunteer initiatives”. Said Andrew Harding, CCAA Badminton Convenor.

After two full seasons with the CCAA she remains undefeated in Women’s singles and holds a perfect record in ACAA Women’s Doubles this season. She demonstrated extraordinary dominance on the ACAA team championship day, conceding only a mere seven points throughout the competition. Shah led her team to their sixth consecutive ACAA banner in the team event. This week, at the CCAA Badminton National Championship, Shah aims to bring home another Women’s Single Gold.

The CCAA Women’s Badminton Player of the Year receives a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.

2024 CCAA Women's Badminton All-Canadians

JASLEEN KAUR

MONIQUE LEE

RITU SHAW