PETALING JAYA: Former deputy development director Joanne Quay has parted ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after nine years.
Joanne, who had been a doubles player, was first appointed as BAM’s development manager in 2014.
The 43-year-old had worked under then technical director Morten Frost in the senior team for six years.
After the Dane left the national team in 2020, Joanne joined the junior team as the deputy development director to Datuk Misbun Sidek.
She was then appointed as the acting development director for a short while after Misbun’s departure last year.
“It’s been a privilege to have worked with the players, coaches and staff in the national team,” said Joanne.
“They are all talented and unique in their own way.
“I wish them the very best and hope that one day the players will win many titles and be on par with the best in the world.”
Joanne is satisfied with the experience gained throughout her time in the national set-up.
One of her most memorable moments was witnessing Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) win silver medals in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Joanne also saw juniors Bryan Goonting-Aaron Tai (boys’ doubles), Low Han Chen-Chong Jie Yu (mixed doubles) and the mixed team win three bronze medals in the World Junior Championships in the United States last year.
“In many ways, it was a satisfying experience for me,” said Joanne.
“In the senior team, I had the opportunity to work with Morten and the senior coaches. I saw the journey of the players winning three silver medals in the 2016 Olympics.
“In the junior team, I saw the players under Misbun and the other coaches win titles and progress to senior level. It was good to see the players win medals in the world Junior meet.
“It was different expectations and ball game altogether in the senior and junior teams.
“The players need lots of confidence and guidance, and the reminder that they can do it,” added Joanne.
Currently, the junior team is led by Indonesian Jeffer Rosobin, who was roped in last November to replace Misbun as head coach.
