Badminton Australia

Badminton Australia Staff

Tjitte Weistra – Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer Tjitte (TJ) Weistra has a comprehensive background in badminton, both on and off the court.

After more than 30 years of involvement as a professional player, coach and administrator, TJ has gathered significant international experience in leadership, strategy, high-performance, grassroots participation, event management, communications and stakeholder relations.

His vision is to support the Australian badminton community in an open and transparent way, build strong relationships with the states and territories, and see the sport grow across all areas.

Sonia Gouveia – National Participation and Para Manager

Sonia is our National Participation and Para Manager. Sonia is responsible for the program development, management of continued participation growth into the future, including all abilities, disability and inclusion programs. Sonia also oversees the Para High Performance Program.

Sonia’s first taste of badminton was at 15, and quickly realised she had found ‘her sport’. With an unwavering dedication to continuous improvement, she went on to compete at Uni, and local leagues. She coached, volunteered at badminton clubs in various roles and became an accredited line judge which opened up the door to being part of amazing national and international tournaments including Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

 

Brent Miller – National Performance Manager

Brent’s role has a focus on key areas such as the National Performance Pathway, Junior Falcons and supporting the overall HP strategy, structure and programs which align with the agreed AIS HP strategy for badminton.

Anthony Pinda – Event & Communications Manager

Working directly with the Events Coordinator, Anthony manages Badminton Australia’s national events, including the National Championships and any other Falcons selection events that may occur. He also oversees all communications across the website, social media and other platforms. 

Anna Ronald – Financial Controller

Anna has more more than 20 years of accounting experience within the sports and not-for-profit sectors in both Australia and the UK. Anna’s financial expertise in sport includes working in cricket, rowing and baseball, in addition to managing her own practice.

Anna’s qualifications include a Bsc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, as well as being a CPA Public Practitioner and Registered Tax Agent.

Abbie Rothery –  Entry Officer, National Rankings Administrator and Sporting Schools Administrator 

Reporting to both the CEO and the National Participation & Para Manager, Abbie works part-time in the varied roles listed above which include tasks such as: entering Australian able-bodied & para players in international competitions, maintaining our National Ranking list & updating results each week, and processing Sporting Schools orders & assisting teachers with their Sporting School programs for badminton.

Abbie has represented Tasmania in badminton in various state teams over the last 15 years and still enjoys playing in the occasional local tournament. She is also a BWF Level 1 coach and is a passionate contributor to our sport; involved in several localized roles in badminton besides her work for BA, including as the secretary for Badminton Tasmania in 2024 and as a Development & Para Coach for Badminton Victoria.

Leanne Choo – National Senior Coach

Leanne Choo manages the National Senior program in the role of National Senior Coach, and works closely with the players who are part of the National Senior Program.

Vountus – National Senior Assistant Coach

Vountus Indra Mawan Saniru is the assistant coach with the National Senior program, and works closely with the players who are part of the National Senior Program. Vountus is also the head coach for Badminton Victoria.

Ian Bridge – Head Coach Para Badminton

Ian Bridge manages the Para Badminton Coaching program in the role of Head Coach, and works closely with the players who are part of the Para Badminton Falcons Squad.

Peter Roberts – Events Coordinator

Peter is the Events Coordinator, managing Badminton Australia’s national events, including the National Championships and any other Falcons selection events that may occur. 

Loke Poh Wong – Event Director

Loke Poh Wong has been a key figure in the badminton events space and is in the role of Event Director – Australian Badminton Open and Bendigo International. Loke Poh has a strong background in all areas of events dating back to 1977 and from grassroots through to BWF International level.