“Thomas Ashton is an exceptional athlete and one of the best to ever come out of Atlantic Canada,” said Andrew Harding, CCAA National Badminton Convenor. “As someone born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it would be easy to argue that he is the best male badminton athlete Nova Scotia has ever produced. His success over the past year has been unmatched except for his training partner and teammate, Ritu Shah. Thomas has been preparing diligently to defend his National Title, and this upcoming championship will be a big test with other top athletes across the country motivated to make their mark at this event.”

Ashton’s accomplishments extend to the international stage, including a bronze medal in Men’s Doubles at the BWF Mexico Future Series and the BWF Canadian International Challenge competition. A leader on and off the court, he is known for his sportsmanship, integrity, and mentorship of younger athletes. Academically, he excels as a Dean’s List student and is actively involved in volunteer work, including his contributions at the Halifax Infirmary and his role coordinating the Dalhousie Bladder Cancer Society.

Beyond his playing career, Ashton is a sought-after coach, working with high-performance youth athletes through the Nova Scotia High-Performance Provincial Team and the Canada Games Centre Badminton Club. His commitment to developing the next generation of badminton players in Atlantic Canada has been instrumental in raising the level of competition in the region.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Thomas this season,” said UKC Head Coach Aidan Badcock-Parks. “He pushes himself and his teammates to be their best while exemplifying respect and integrity. His leadership both on and off the court has made a lasting impact on our program.”

The CCAA Men’s Badminton Player of the Year receives a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.