Peter Howe
Sunshine Western Region Sports Club’s Shrey Dhand has just returned from the USA after representing Australia in the under 19 World Junior Badminton Tournament during September.
The old African saying, iIt takes a village to raise a child,” is working in the 15-year-old’s growth in his chosen sport.
“I have many personal coaches and mentors, including my father who all play a part in my development in my sport,” he said.
Dhand played soccer, tennis and cricket but settled on badminton more to keep his social contacts with his friends in the beginning.
“As my friends and I got older we started to play tournaments and became quite competitive. My long-time friend Om Neelam and I have now won Australian junior doubles titles together,” he said.
Dhand has had a dramatic rise in the sport that started when he was eleven years old and has taken him to many Victorian and Australian junior titles. He first represented Australia at the same age in the Singapore Youth International. This is his third tournament representing Australia.
“Australia had a very tough draw at the championships. We drew defending champions Korea, recent world title holders China and the Netherlands,” he said.
For the record Australia finished the team’s event in 25th place. Dhand was the youngest Australian representative.
“There wasn’t much difference between our skills, we are very good technically but lack experience in tactics and accuracy under pressure,” he said.
“For me it was an amazing experience and will drive me to improve my tournament play. Watching and mixing with players from other countries enabled me to see how other countries play.”
Dhand has a gruelling training and playing timetable. A strength and conditioning program that includes weight sessions, core strength exercises, endurance running, skipping, and jumping to improve his strength, a vital component of any badminton player.
“I train at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre with the Victorian team, at Maribyrnong Sports
Academy with other Australian Falcon players which includes match play, two versus one and specific skill drills designed by my coaches and mentors to improve my skills and match play,” he said.
“On Friday morning I train with the Senior Victorian team. On Sunday I train with my personal coaches. I have Saturday off when we don’t have tournaments to play, it is the only day I don’t train.”
Dhand’s “village” include his father Gaurav, once a junior state badminton player in India and now an accredited coach, who assists with his son’s skill drills. Ben Walklate, a teacher at MSA himself an ex Australian Badminton player spends many lunchtimes at school, working with Dhand on match analysis, tactics, and technique. He also spends time with Dhand in his sports psychology sessions so he can understand what he needs to work on. Dhand’s long-time coach is Paul Lee from Malaysia, previously a junior champion in Penang, who has coached him since he was 12.
Among the many titles Dhand has won, one stands alone. In June this year he competed in and won the Protech Elite Series Open Men’s singles as a 15-year-old. This win stamped his credentials in the sport.
Dhand lists his strengths as his speed, movement, and the power of his shots.
“I still have much to learn, I need to work on playing under pressure and my shuttle movement,” he said.
Dhand, who attends Maribyrnong Sports Academy has singled them out for their phenomenal support.
“My teachers spend extra time with me so I can attend tournaments all over Australia. I would like to follow a career in the financial industry after completing year 12 and university,” he said.
So what about your sporting ambitions?
“Badminton players mature in their early to mid 20’s which will be me in Brisbane Olympics in 2032. Los Angeles in 2028 isn’t out of the question either,” he said
Dhand is the October nominee for the Don Deeble Sports Star Award which is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank, the Deer Park Club, Medway Golf Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and The Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner at the Medway Golf Club, contact the club by emailing swrsportsclub@gmail.com or sms 0408 556 631.
