BWF News

Humans of Shuttle Time: Wilma Tupu

TEXT BY BWF STAFF

This is the 53nd story in our Humans of Shuttle Time series, in which we present the perspectives of those who are involved with badminton at the grassroots level. Wilma Tupu, Shuttle Time National Teacher with Samoa Badminton Federation, speaks about her journey in badminton.

Childhood Years

I have two older siblings and two younger siblings. I grew up in Vaitele-uta, Samoa. I first played badminton as a child after watching mum and dad play at a club. It looked fun to me. I liked that my parents played it. I started by hitting a shuttle against a wall; later on I decided to take it seriously.

Wilma Tupu conducting a Shuttle Time course

Relationship with Badminton

It’s not a hobby, it’s like a friend and enemy at the same time. I use badminton to relieve my stress and at the same time challenge myself mentally and physically, while at the trying to have fun.

Memorable Events

The Pacific Development Squad programme that BOC held in 2019. It was my first experience outside of Samoa, I got to meet so many new faces and experience a different level of badminton outside of my country. I still remember the experience like it was yesterday.

What Badminton Means

Badminton is like my second family and second school. Badminton is mostly my life nowadays. If I’m not at home or studying, I’m helping to set up, or playing myself.

Badminton is quite simply a fun sport to play. I think it’s easy to pick up socially. But when you reach a higher level it’s such a challenging sport to play.

Developing Badminton in the Community

Originally there weren’t many facilities to play badminton. When a new stadium was built, all of a sudden there was a massive increase in development because there was a place to play. I got to see more equipment coming into the country and more kids getting to play the sport. So being able to see the growth of badminton and be part of it from a Shuttle Time perspective has been very rewarding.

Impact of Shuttle Time in Samoa

It’s been amazing in Samoa. The only downside is that there is still not enough of badminton. There is still so much potential in the Shuttle Time space in Samoa, and I want to be part of that growth.

Lessons from Shuttle Time

Being able to speak publicly. It was always something I wanted to work on and Shuttle Time helped me to build up these skills. The other thing I learnt from Shuttle Time was handling big groups. I never thought I could manage more than 20 kids, but through Shuttle Time I built the skills to handle that challenge.

Previous Stories in This Series

Humans of Shuttle Time: Laia Oset Moncho

Humans of Shuttle Time: Aisarova Jasmin

Humans of Shuttle Time: Saygufron Davletov

Humans of Shuttle Time: Rafael Lora

Humans of Shuttle Time: Graham Berry

Humans of Shuttle Time: Alaa Mohamed Youssef Fathy

Humans of Shuttle Time: Raul Jara Tacora

Humans of Shuttle Time: Lerato Lepheane

Humans of Shuttle Time: Genelyn Lansangan

Humans of Shuttle Time: Paulo Jerome Niniano Quidato

Humans of Shuttle Time: Josefa Matasau