Special Olympics GB athletes were VIP guests at the recent YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships to celebrate the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the new 2026–2031 Strategic Plan developed by Special Olympics International and the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

 

Appearing on-court at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, Special Olympics GB athletes Clint Gardner, Isla Scott, Dee Weiner and James Wyatt played Unified demonstration matches alongside global badminton stars Polina Buhrova of Ukraine and Sim Yu-Jin of Korea.

Ahead of the semi-final sessions, each athlete also had the opportunity to walk out into the sell-out arena and deliver the prestigious Championship trophy to its courtside position.

 

“It was an amazing experience to share the court with two professionals,” said James, who plays and coaches at Derbyshire All Stars Badminton Club, which he formed with his dad, Anthony. Alongside Clint, James is also a National Sports Advisor for badminton and is the Deputy Chair of Special Olympics GB’s Athlete Leadership Team.

 

“I’ve been playing badminton for over ten years, so it’s been an amazing journey to get this far and to be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many people only dream of doing.”

 

The renewed MOU reinforces the existing strong partnership between Special Olympics International and BWF, setting shared principles for collaboration, resource-sharing, and the promotion of inclusive badminton globally.

 

Alongside Special Olympics GB’s own Badminton Development Plan, which was released in 2025 with the support of Badminton England, the Global Badminton Development Strategy aims to expand access to training and competition, strengthen coaching and officials’ programmes, and create pathways for athletes to train and compete from local to international levels.

Badminton is a really big part of my life and it’s making me stronger and more confident. I struggle with keeping friendships, but I have made lots of really special friends through badminton
By Dee Weiner
 

“I didn’t do any sport until I was 14 because of my development and coordination issues.

 

“It was then that I started playing badminton with my sister, which has improved my coordination, concentration and confidence. I now love sport. It has helped me to hold down a part-time paid job in a special needs school. I’ve been working there for 11 years.”

 

Badminton is part of Special Olympics GB's programme for the 2026 National Summer Games, with the competition taking place at the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.

 

The badminton event is one of eight single-sport, competitions taking place in the National Summer Games programme, which concludes with a seven-sport, five-day event in Birmingham at the end of August.

For more information about participating and volunteering within badminton in the Special Olympics GB movement, please click here.