EVERY MONTH, A YOUNG MARY PETERS TRUST ATHLETE SPELLS OUT HOW THE CHARITY IS AIDING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR SPORTING DREAMS
ATHLETE: CHLOE WOODS
SPORT: BADMINTON
‘Lady Mary has always told us to work hard, and you will achieve what you really want. Her advice drives me forward not just in sport, but also my personal and academic life.’
CHLOE Woods is steeped in badminton. Her dad, Trevor has been involved in the racquet sport for many years and won countless titles when he was younger.
“My dad went on to manage the National Badminton Centre in Lisburn and my mum, Alison owns and runs the sports shop within the building. So, it was largely due to their influence that I took up the sport at an early age,” Chloe explains.
“One very early memory when I was about two, is of me sitting on the sofa in the conservatory and my mum throwing shuttles to me, I remember being able to hit them back – somewhat!”
Chloe is one of four girls in the family and all play badminton at elite level. Chloe’s main achievements to date include winning the Irish Nationals Grade A Women’s Doubles Championship across two consecutive years, as well as being Ulster Grade A Women’s doubles champion.
She relates: “I also take great pride in having represented Ulster at Interprovincial level in all age groups from U13 and U15 through to U17 and at Senior Level.”
Alongside many Ulster Leinster, Connacht and Munster titles a key achievement was a bronze medal in the U15 quadrangular tournament in Warwick during 2019.
Aged 19, Chloe is in her first year of a Civil Engineering degree at Ulster University and is part of the college’s University Sport Programme.
“Growing up around the National Badminton Centre in Lisburn centre and seeing how hard my parents worked at what they do, inspired me to always give 100%,” she says.
“My two older sisters, Rachael and Rebecca, competed in badminton a few age groups ahead of me and this gave me something to aim for. I wanted to be as good as them. My little sister Paige (who is always tight competition) also motivated me to be better – always in good spirits of course.
“I’m thrilled to be a Mary Peters Trust athlete – just like my sisters – and I’m extremely grateful. I received a David Magill Coaching Award in 2024 and will use this to continue to coach young players aged 4-16.
“I’ve completed my shuttle time coaching qualification, and this award will enable me to pass on my skills and knowledge to the younger generation. I find coaching extremely rewarding and love seeing the children improve week on week. That really spurs me on and keeps me going.
“Lady Mary Peters has always told us to work hard, and you will achieve what you really want in sport. I find this really motivating and I use her wise words to drive me forward not only in my sporting life but in my personal and academic life.”
Chloe’s lifelong goal is to compete for Northern Ireland in a Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve always dreamed of this and was aiming towards the 2026 Commonwealths. As these have had to be scaled back, Badminton won’t feature. I’ve now set my sights on the 2030 Games when hopefully badminton will make a return to the programme,” she adds.
“I would also love to represent Ireland at Senior level. That would be another step forward in a very positive direction.”
