Many of our young players at Albury will already know Zaima, either as a training partner or as one of the coaches on court. She’s been part of the club since 2018, when she first started badminton at the age of 11, and over the years, Zaima has gone from being one of the junior players to becoming someone the younger members now look up to.
After completing her A-levels, Zaima took a year out to gain work experience, during which she applied for a place at the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Entry is highly competitive, with applicants going through a multi-stage process that includes online assessments, technical tasks, interviews and an assessment day designed to test problem-solving, communication and the ability to think under pressure. Candidates apply directly rather than through the standard university route and places are limited each year. Zaima successfully secured a place and started in September, working towards an integrated Master’s degree in Engineering while spending part of each week working on live projects alongside Dyson engineering teams.
We caught up with Zaima to hear more about her journey, what she’s enjoyed most about badminton, and what she’s learned from being part of Albury. The interview is below.
What do you enjoy most about coaching and playing at Albury?
I think what I enjoy most about coaching is being able to give back to the club. I’ve been at Albury since 2018, and I was once in the younger players’ shoes, being coached by volunteers. Now I’m coaching the younger players myself, and I think that’s really special.
Playing at the club every Saturday since 2018 has made it feel like a real community. I love hearing about other players’ successes, whether that’s England tournaments or school achievements. It’s great to celebrate everyone’s progress.
Training is always mixed as well. Sometimes we practise, sometimes we play games to apply what we’ve learned, and partners change regularly. I also enjoy seeing my own progress over time, both as a player and as a coach. Those are the main things I really value about being part of Albury.
What’s one thing you wish more young players understood about training?
I wish more people understood that training isn’t just about improving in the sport itself. It’s also about improving other aspects of your life, like your mental wellbeing.
Just showing up every Saturday morning builds discipline and healthy habits. Playing and training look after your health both physically and mentally, and you become part of a community. It’s more than just a game.
What has helped you stay motivated over the years?
I think I’ve always been surrounded by motivated people, both academically and in sport. I’ve seen older players who were really good at badminton go on to study at top universities in England, and they still continued playing badminton at university.
Looking at those role models really inspired me to work hard and aim high. I want to continue playing badminton when I go to Dyson for my apprenticeship, and that’s definitely been a big motivation for me.
What advice would you give to players at the club today?
My biggest advice would be to look after your body from the start. Things like stretching are often forgotten, but they’re so important. Stretching keeps your body flexible and reduces the risk of injury.
Injuries can happen at any level, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player. Simple things like warming up properly, taking breaks when you need them, and drinking water all make a difference.
Starting these habits at a young age helps them become automatic. That consistency and muscle memory can really help prevent injuries in the long term.
Congratulations on getting into Dyson. Can you tell us a bit about the Dyson Institute and what you’ll be doing?
Thank you. The Dyson Institute is a university set up by the company, and it focuses on engineering and technology. I’ll be studying for an employer-sponsored degree, working towards an integrated Master’s over four years in engineering.
For the first years, I’ll be studying while also working three days a week. I’ll start with general engineering and then specialise later on. What’s really exciting is that Dyson is such an innovative company, constantly developing new products and technology from scratch.
As a Dyson Institute student, I’ll be involved in new projects from day one, and there are also opportunities to work abroad at some of their international facilities. The course is very selective, with only a small number of students each year, so there’s a lot of personal support.
Even if your interests change, they help you find a career path within the company that suits you. It’s an accelerated way to start a career at Dyson, where you earn a salary, gain experience, and avoid student debt.
What do you think helped you stand out during the application process?
I think it was a combination of things. I’m very passionate and motivated, and although I didn’t have direct engineering experience, I explored innovation through my artwork and my product design A-level projects at school. That showed my genuine interest in creating and problem-solving.
I also completed a one-month internship in an office environment, where I worked in a different department each week. I was constantly trying new tasks and learning different aspects of the company, which showed my adaptability.
On top of that, I had a part-time job at the airport, where I interacted with international customers every day. That helped me develop soft skills I could relate to Dyson as a global company.
I also shared my hobbies, like badminton and art, to show that I’m not only academically motivated, but also enthusiastic, adaptable, and able to bring my personality into everything I do.
How has sport, especially badminton, helped you develop skills for life beyond the court?
Badminton has helped me develop a lot of life skills. It’s taught me quick thinking and adaptability. On court, you only have a split second to decide your next move, and I feel like I’ve carried that ability to make fast, strategic decisions into other areas of my life.
It’s a mental game as much as a physical one, and it’s helped improve my tactical and logical thinking. Playing doubles has also improved my teamwork and communication.
Switching between mixed and level doubles and playing with different partners has definitely improved my adaptability. Those are all soft skills that I can use every day, both in work and in life.
Zaima’s come a long way since joining Albury at 11, and it’s been great to see her progress from junior player to coach. Everyone at the club wishes her the best at Dyson, and we’ll be following how she gets on.
