KBC Coaching Team
KBC is pleased to announce our returning coaching team!!
TK Hirose
TK Hirose first started playing badminton while attending high school in 2007 and played competitively all across Southeast Asia. Beginning in 2017, TK also started coaching badminton and was the Head Coach for the Okanagan Zone in the 2018 BC Winter Games, a role that he is reprising for the 2020BC Winter Games. He has also coached students from Claro Life and introduced many newcomers to the sport, supporting new players and training athletes of all ages. He is thrilled to be part of the KBC Coaching Team and looks forward to a year of fun in developing our programs and our athletes.
Matt Downton
Matt Downton began playing badminton here at KBC at the age of 4 and rose to the level of a national and international player. Matt spent his high school years training with multiple coaches and competing provincially and nationally with other elite players. He competed in the Pan-American Games for Team Canada and in the World Junior Championships in Japan in 2012. After high school, Matt moved to Vancouver and continued to compete with national team players on the open circuit for 2 more years. He gained coaching experience in a number of clubs with players of all ages and abilities. In 2019, Matt moved back to Kelowna and is delighted to be coaching at his home club, developing the skills of the next generation and helping players achieve their goals.
Shen Lai
Shen’s love for badminton began in the hallways of high school. Since those formative years, Shen has not only mastered the art of badminton but has elevated his game to a high-level status, making him a standout player at the prestigious Kelowna Badminton Club (KBC). Beyond his prowess on the court, Shen finds immense joy in sharing his expertise through coaching, embodying a commitment to nurturing the next generation of badminton enthusiasts. As an integral part of the Kelowna Badminton Club, Shen’s passion for the sport radiates through his coaching and his genuine love for being part of the vibrant badminton community at KBC. Prepare to be inspired by Shen’s dedication to both playing and fostering the spirit of badminton within the Kelowna Badminton Club.