The Auckland Badminton Association is proud to announce the appointment of Tony Griffen as the new Head Coach of the Auckland Wisden Cup team, ahead of the nationally significant event being held on Auckland’s North Shore from 23–25 May.

Tony brings over 15 years of extensive coaching experience across New Zealand, alongside a deep understanding of the high-performance badminton landscape. Currently the Head Coach of LEPBC, Tony holds a Badminton New Zealand Level 2 Coaching Certificate and has recently been an integral part of the Badminton New Zealand elite coaching team.

No stranger to Auckland Badminton, Tony previously served as ABA’s High Performance Coach before moving on to work with leading athletes across Counties Manukau, North Harbour, and Waitakere.

Tony expressed his excitement about returning to Auckland in a leadership role:

"It’s a real honour to be returning to ABA and leading this Wisden team. Auckland Badminton has always been a special place for me, both as a player and a coach. I’m looking forward to working with this talented group and building a team culture that reflects the strength, pride, and legacy of Auckland Badminton."

In addition to his coaching credentials, Tony is a former New Zealand representative player and a three-time Division 1 Wisden Cup Champion. His competitive career, spanning almost two decades, includes five national Men’s Doubles titles.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony back into the Auckland Badminton fold,” said Hamish Meacheam, General Manager of the Auckland Badminton Association. “His wealth of experience, proven leadership, and passion for the sport make him the ideal candidate to guide our Wisden Cup team to success.”

Tony’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Auckland Badminton’s top-tier team as they work towards reclaiming their position as the number one association in the country.

Article added: Monday 28 April 2025