26-year-old Phyllis Kai Yi Chan, a Canadian badminton player and coach, has made her mark in the world of badminton with her impressive skills and achievements. But how did she fall in love with this sport?
The Journey Begins
Chan’s journey into badminton started at a young age. Her father, who played recreationally in Hong Kong, wanted her older sister to receive proper training and enrolled her in lessons. Chan, eager to join in the fun, picked up a racket at the age of 6 and never looked back.
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A Success Story
Since that fateful day, Chan has been dedicated to the sport. She became the 2012 Pan American Champion in Women’s Doubles, won a bronze medal in the Pan Am Games Toronto 2015, and held the title of Canadian national champion for three consecutive years (2013-2015) in the same category. She has also represented Canada in various international tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Sudirman Cup, Uber Cup, and Pan Am Games. In 2016, she announced her retirement from professional playing.
A Coach is Born
Chan’s journey did not end with her retirement. She recognized the importance of passing on her knowledge and experiences to the next generation of athletes, so she decided to become a coach.
Having had the guidance of exceptional coaches throughout her career, Chan noticed the lack of high-performance female coaches and athletes in badminton. She saw it as her passion and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation of athletes to reach their full potential.
More Than Just a Sport
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To Chan, badminton is more than just a sport. It has shaped her life and provided her with invaluable life lessons. Growing up in the badminton club, she made friends of all ages. As she got older, she had the opportunity to travel and connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Badminton has given her a sense of belonging, taught her the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork, and shaped her into the person she is today.
Changing the Game
In many countries, young athletes often stop competing in badminton tournaments after high school, believing that there are no future prospects and that it is too expensive to pursue a career in the sport. Chan aims to change this perception in her home country of Canada.
Her goal is to increase badminton participation in Canada and make it a mainstream sport where athletes have opportunities to compete and pursue a career in badminton. She also wants Canada to be recognized as a strong badminton nation on the world stage.
Support is Key
Transitioning from an athlete to a coach can be challenging, but Chan has been fortunate to receive immense support from her national and provincial badminton associations. With the guidance of her mentor, Abdul Shaikh, she seamlessly made the transition and is now furthering her high-performance coaching education at the University of British Columbia.
Empowering Women
As a female player and coach, Chan has faced her fair share of challenges. However, she has overcome them and wants to inspire other women to dream big and never underestimate themselves. She believes that obstacles are opportunities for growth and that success comes with hard work, dedication, and staying humble. Her message to aspiring athletes and coaches is to have the courage to pursue their dreams, treat setbacks as stepping stones to success, and always remember to be kind.
Q: How did Phyllis Chan start playing badminton?
A: Phyllis Chan’s interest in badminton began when she watched her older sister receive formal training. At the age of 6, she picked up a racket and started playing.
Q: What are some of Phyllis Chan’s achievements in badminton?
A: Phyllis Chan has achieved remarkable success in badminton. She was the 2012 Pan American Champion in Women’s Doubles, won a bronze medal in the Pan Am Games Toronto 2015, and was the Canadian national champion for three consecutive years (2013-2015) in Women’s Doubles.
Q: Why did Phyllis Chan decide to become a coach?
A: After her retirement as a player, Phyllis Chan realized that she could share her experiences and knowledge with the next generation of athletes. She wanted to inspire and empower young athletes through coaching.
Q: What is Phyllis Chan’s goal for badminton in Canada?
A: Phyllis Chan aims to increase badminton participation in Canada and establish it as a mainstream sport. She wants to create more opportunities for athletes to compete and pursue careers in badminton, while also putting Canada on the map as a strong badminton nation globally.
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