10/22/2026
“Some weekends remind you why you became a coach. This was one of them.
At Jr Nationals these past two weekends, a parent of one of my students, who only started training with me this summer, came up to me and said:
“Thank you, Efendi. I haven’t seen my daughter fight like this in two years, and I’ve never seen her so happy during training. Thank you for everything.”
Honestly, those words meant more to me than any medal could.
As coaches, we often get recognized for results. But what about the things people don’t see? The confidence we rebuild, the struggles we work through, and the joy we help our athletes find again.
Seeing a player become happier, more confident, and fall in love with the game again is what makes coaching so rewarding.
And this weekend, our team reminded me of something too. Many of our players were physically smaller than their opponents, but they never backed down. They fought for every point and pushed themselves all the way to the finals.
Watching them fight with so much heart reminded me that you don’t have to be the biggest, strongest, or most powerful player to achieve something special. Sometimes, you just need to believe in yourself and keep fighting.
To my players, I’m proud of you, not just for your results, but for your courage, determination, and fighting spirit.
And to the parents who trust me with their children, thank you. Your trust and kind words mean more than you know.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want to develop better badminton players. I want to help build happier, stronger, and more confident people.
Medals may eventually sit on a shelf, but knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life is something you carry with you forever.
This weekend reminded me why I love what I do🩵”- Head Coach Efendi
