As a player
Coach Fernando began his badminton career at 10 years of age and has since learned the game from a number of internationally renowned coaches. When Coach Fernando first fell in love with the sport, there were no dedicated badminton facilities available, nor professional badminton coaches to teach him the basics. But his motivation and focus on the sport led him to train by himself, devising his own regimen for conditioning and practicing footwork, and by hitting the bird against walls.
Known as 'Badminton Fernando' in Sri Lanka and 'Sheikh of the Shuttle' in Bahrain, Coach Fernando's career has included many highlights:
- He was the National Badminton Champion, State of Bahrain, Arabian Gulf.
- He participated in the World Masters Games, Edmonton 2005.
- He placed 2nd in his group at the 2009 World Masters Games held in Sydney, Australia.
- He represented his school team at the age of 11 years.
- He was the Junior National Champion in Sri Lanka for the age groups 12, 14, 16 & 18.
- Triple Crown provincial champion in Sri Lanka.
- He represented Sri Lanka on the national team for several years.
- He toured China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Bahrain, Dubai, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, United States, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom for badminton tournaments and badminton programs.
- "Gold" medalist and placed 1st at the 2012 US senior International Badminton Championships held in Miami, USA singles event.The tournament was sanctioned by (BWF) Badminton World Federation.
- "Silver" medalist at 2013 US senior international Badminton championships held in Orange County, California.
As a coach
Founder and Head Coach of Fernando Youth Badminton Academy, Canada, and having coached several schools and clubs in Sri Lanka for over 20 years, Coach Fernando background and credentials are extensive:
- Peel district school board (PDSB) partners with coach Fernando for the 4th year. Coach Fernando visits PDSB schools and condcut professional coaching programs to school childern before school, during school and after school hours. Coach Fernando have also condcuted several programs to teachers of PDSB.
- July 2019 - Followed training in Penang, Malaysia with former national level players.
- June 2019 - City of Chiang Mai invited to conduct a badminton coaching camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- April 2019 - Invited by Singapore swimming club to conduct a coaching program in Singapore for its members. On the same tour visited Chandra Wijaya badminton training school in Jakarta.
- National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) level 1, level 2 and level 3 fully certified. Certification conducted by the Coaching Association of Canada.
- Followed an advanced training program in China with former World Champion Xiong Gua Bao. July 2016
- Conducted a coaching program in Bangkok, Thailand for junior national level players. March 2014
- Followed an advanced training program for coaches in Xiamen, China. March 2014
- Invited by Costa Rica Badminton Association to conduct a series of badminton coaching programs in San Jose, Costa Rica to national level players, physical education teachers, school players and club level players. July 2012
- Visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in March 2011 with 3 students from the badminton academy for an advanced coaching program.
- Appointed as Coach for Toronto & District Badminton team to represent at Ontario Winter Games in March of 2010.
- Participated as a coach at an International coaching program in Denmark July 2010.
- Completed a professional badminton coaching program designed for badminton coaches in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2008.
- Followed a professional coaching program for coaches in Guangzhou, China in October 2009.
- City of Brampton, Parks & Recreation, part time Badminton instructor and was instrumental in designing the badminton curriculum.
- Royal Canadian Yacht Club part time badminton coach 2002 - 2006.
- Etobicoke Junior Badminton Club part time badminton coach 2002 - 2004.
- Appointed District Badminton Coach in Sri Lanka.
- Head Coach Bahrain Sports Club, Bahrain.
Achievements as a coach
- Student Piumika Fernando became the under 16 World Racketlon Champion in the Netherlands. Racketlon is a combination of 4 racquet sports: badminton, tennis, squash & table tennis.
- Several students of the academy were qualified to participate in (ROPSSAA) Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association championships and (OFSSAA) Ontario Federation of Secondary School Athletics Association.
- Produced several regional champions since 2008 till to-date.
- More than 60% of our eligible students get selected to play for their respective school teams every year since 2006.
