Renee Yip

Renee Yip has certainly left her mark on the provincial and national stage for badminton. Yip has played on the Humber Hawks badminton team for 2 seasons now, and during that time she has accomplished a plethora of accolades. In her rookie season she was an CCAA All- Canadian, CCAA Gold Medal Champion in Mixed Doubles with Raymond Wong, and OCAA Athlete of the Year Across All Sports. In 2010 she was awarded the CCAA All Canadian Academic Athlete Excellence Award and placed 4th at nationals in women’s doubles with Alyssa Woon. Yip says it’s the motivation factor that drives her to compete. Being successful is my motivation and as of right now becoming fit is also my motivation to play better in my sport,” said Yip. Yip is a 3rd year Kinesiology student at Guelph-Humber.

Donald K. Smythe

Few Canadian players can match Don’s fierce determination, sportsmanship, and professionalism in the sport of badminton. To his credit, Don won 27 titles between 1950 and 1956 in international competition.

Beginning in 1950, Don won five Ontario Singles Championships and numerous Ontario and National Doubles Championships. But what makes him stand alone is reaching the semis and finals of the World Championships held in England in 1953 and 1954. No other male Canadian has achieved such international standing to date.

Don represented Canada as a playing member of the Thomas Cup Team in 1953, 1955, and 1958. As Captain in 1971, he inspired the team into the semifinal round of the world championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Don was inducted into the Canadian Amateur Athletic Hall of Fame in 1974. He returned to competition in 1985 and reached the finals of the Canadian Masters Badminton Games held at the Etobicoke Olympium.

Tracy Wong

Tracy Wong entered her third year as a part of the acclaimed varsity badminton program at Humber College this September.

In her previous two years with the program she has already claimed two medals, a silver and bronze, at the Canadian College Athletic Association national championships. She participated in the youth Olympics in 2010 and has been named an Academic All-Canadian both years she has been a Humber Hawk.

Her past successes and experience will serve her well as she heads to the 2012 Canadian National College/University Badminton Championships this November. Tracy eventually wants to graduate from Guelph-Humber’s Kinesiology program and maintain her involvement with sport for the rest of her life.