2018 Badminton World Championships
If someone needs assistance, do you consider yourself a helpful person?
I've never been very good at asking for help in my badminton career. I've only done it once out of desperation during my 2016 Olympic Qualification year, where I lost funding due to outside circumstances. But this time, it's on me: I need your help. I have one last World Championship in China (July 30 - August 5) before I retire from international competition and I need your help to get there.
My story begins by starting badminton late at an international level. I started when I was about 21, after getting an invitation to be the 2nd MD team for Canada at the 2007 Pan Am Championships. Because it happened to be held the week after U-23 Nationals in the same venue, the Calgary Winter Club, I decided to compete in it with a different partner, and that kind of started my journey into competitive badminton (see Top Middle Photo) 
I never won a junior or U-23 National title, nor was I ever invited to represent Canada at any junior international events. I came close to winning a few times, as I finished with silver six times, and bronze once. But perhaps it was persistence that helped me continue competing for so long. That and maximizing on a few key opportunities that happened to come my way. Although I never had the opportunity to compete internationally as a junior, perhaps it was a blessing which led me to more than a decade of international competition on the Senior National Team.
When I look at the upcoming athletes of today, I see that many of them already have a great start. There is a lot of potential for these athletes and they will have their chances to prove themselves in the future. I have only 2 more attempts to prove mine. I was originally intending to retire from international competition at the 2018 Canada Open in June, but I found out that I qualified for the 2018 World Championships in Nanjing, China, and was offered the opportunity to play a final tournament.
As I will be transitioning off the National Team, I will be losing the funding opportunities associated with being a national team athlete. I have budgeted enough for Canada Open, but I am trying to fundraise once more to help with the expenses for World Championships. This would mark a decade of World Championship events since 2009, where I competed in my very first World's in Hyderabad, India. 
There have been many athletes who have transitioned out of sport after they retire, but I will not be one of them. I do hope for some future coaching, management, or leadership opportunities within badminton, and one of my goals is to be able to pass on all of my available knowledge to future athletes before I leave the sport. Considering that I am somewhat of a late starter, if I can do it, anyone can. Starting earlier is a bonus, but it is not mandatory for success.
Thank you for your support in whatever shape or form. The proceeds will go to my World Championship expenses in Nanjing, China, including travel expenses (airfare, visa, accommodations, food), GoFundMe admin fees, and associated preparation expenses including training, conditioning, and recovery. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Here are some suggested donation amounts based on some of my career stats!
# of Multisport Games (Pan Ams, Commonwealth, Olympics): $5
# of Years on National Team: $11
Highest World Ranking (Mixed Doubles): $16
# of International (including Team Event) Titles: $30
# of Olympic Qualification Tournaments (2012 & 2016): $44
Mixed Doubles Winning Percentage: $66
Career Mixed Doubles International Wins: $190
Career Prize Money / Years of Career ($27, 326 CAD / 11): $2484
Thank you again for your help and support! Unfortunately, donations on this platform cannot generate a tax receipt. Please contact me if you would like to donate offline, and I can add your name to the campaign!
