General

 

Press Release

February 25, 2016  /  Badminton Ontario

Jennifer Lee to be inducted into the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour tonight

 

The Toronto Sport Hall of Honour will hold its Inaugural Induction Ceremony later this evening, and Badminton Ontario is thrilled to announce that Coach Jennifer Lee, former Canadian National Coach and owner of Lee’s Badminton Training Centre in Markham, is one of a select few who will be inducted.     

 

“I am very happy to get this award because it also means that the sport of badminton is being recognized. My vision is to establish badminton as a world-class sport in North America, and bring Canadian athletes to an international level where they can ultimately compete in the Olympics. This award means so much to me.”

 

Lee, who holds Level 3 National Coaching Certification qualifications, will be inducted into the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour as Coach of the Year. She went on to express her desire to see the sport become more mainstream in Canada. Having already developed international champions, like Michelle Li and Rachel Honderich, Jennifer fully believes that badminton is finally starting to gain momentum here in North America.

 

“Now that Canada has a top twelve badminton athlete in the world in Michelle Li, I am excited to see the sport being recognized more.”

 

Jennifer Lee began playing badminton herself at the age of 11. At 19, her family immigrated to Vancouver, which meant Jennifer had to leave behind a position on the Hong Kong Badminton Team. While playing for provincial teams within British Columbia, she was sidelined with knee injuries, which effectively put an end to her sporting career. Eventually, after moving to Toronto, Jennifer established Lee’s Badminton Training Centre in Markham. The year was 1995 when she embarked on a journey that would see her rise to the occasion as both a coach and a new business owner. To this day, Jennifer believes in the importance of developing athletes’ badminton skills and techniques, while also focussing on the development of their character. For this athlete-turned-coach, success is a balance between the mind and the body.

 

Tonight’s Toronto Sport Hall of Honour event will be held at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre in Scarborough, and will celebrate the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of athletes, coaches, and builders who have either inspired others along the way or brought recognition to the City of Toronto through sport.

 

Everyone at Badminton Ontario would like to congratulate Jennifer Lee on this momentous occasion. We look forward to celebrating your induction as Coach of the Year with you.

 

Badminton Ontario (BON) is a not for profit amateur sport organization responsible for badminton within the province of Ontario. Badminton Ontario's vision is to connect with all athletes participating in badminton in Ontario, inspire athletes to cherish badminton and establish it as their sport for life.

 

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For more information contact: Sarah Miller, Badminton Ontario, cell (905) 749-0361 or e-mail saraheamiller@sympatico.ca