Fanshawe will be representing Ontario at the national badminton championships.

A team consisting of all the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) gold medal winners represented Team Ontario in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) badminton championships in New Westminster, British Columbia from March 8 to March 10.

The OCAA gold medal winner in men's singles, Nathaniel Allard, and the OCAA gold medal winners in women's doubles, Jayme Sky and Jenn Hayman, represented Fanshawe College in the national tournament.

Fanshawe head coach Cindy Huras, who also coached the Ontario squad at nationals, said each Fanshawe athlete had a legitimate shot at medaling at the championship.

“If they are at the top of their games, the gold is not out of reach,” Huras said before the championships.

Allard, the now three-time defending OCAA gold medalist in men's singles, competed in his third consecutive national championships, having won a bronze and a silver for Centennial College in the two previous championships.

“His (Allard's) dominance is unrivalled,” Huras said. “It is rare to have someone over such a long time frame show such superior talent and athletic talent. Badminton requires such endurance, finesse, power, speed and agility, so having all of these qualities unchallenged, is indeed impressive.”

Huras said despite competing in singles, Allard is still a great team player.

“He encourages his teammates and helps the lesser skilled players,” Huras said. “He is a very focused player who can bring up his game when required, but it is his show of sportsmanship and ethical play that makes him a truly great champion to watch.”

Huras said the combination of skills that Sky and Hayman bring to the table compliment one another perfectly.

“Both Jayme and Jenn not only exhibit great mental strengths, but also great agility and patience on the court,” Huras said.

“Jayme is very involved in many sports. She is a very natural athlete who uses her vast competitive experience from other sport competitions to allow her to remain calm and collected on the court. Jenn has focused mainly on badminton over the last few years and her passion and desire to win is a great compliment to Jayme's more relaxed style.”