Two Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) athletes will represent the movement on the international stage next month at the inaugural Special Olympics European Badminton Competition in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Rathanan Pathmanathan (17), from Special Olympics Surrey, and Clint Gardner (36), from Be Better Isle of Wight, will compete in singles and doubles at the tournament, which runs from 18–22 November and will feature athletes from 20 national delegations.
Both players, who competed in this year’s Special Olympics GB National Summer Games Badminton Competition, have experienced life-changing benefits through their participation in badminton.
“Rathanan previously faced real challenges with direction and could only communicate using single words,” said Sutharsanan Pathmanathan, who is also attending the tournament.
Badminton completely transformed his world, giving him confidence and unlocking a tremendous, life-changing improvement in his capabilities. His journey proves beyond a doubt that sport can empower kids to improve from any condition.
Rathanan, who lives in Surbiton, south-west London, started playing badminton with Sutharsanan, who coached him independently after struggling to find a club that could support him. Following a gold medal win for his school, St Philip’s in Chessington, in a tournament involving seven other special needs schools in Surrey, he was introduced to Special Olympics Surrey and now trains at Wimbledon Racquets and fitness Club Badminton. He also plays at ISO Badminton Club in Kensington, Surrey Smashers community club and worked with former England No. 1 badminton player Toby Penty, who represented Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Clint, who lives in Ryde, Isle of Wight, started playing badminton with his brother at the age of 13, after his school recommended that he join Rhydekings Badminton Club. He remains a member of the club today. However, despite many years of competing in mainstream tournaments, he struggled to find a competitive pathway for players with an intellectual disability.
“It’s a dream come true to compete and represent Special Olympics GB in an international tournament,” he said.
“Nine years ago, I grew frustrated that there was a lack of opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to develop and compete on a pathway. Finding Special Olympics GB in 2022 helped change that for me and now, after championing what we do for several years, it’s amazing to take a step forward into our first international tournament outside of a Special Olympics World Games.”
Clint is a National Sports Advisor for badminton at Special Olympics GB, helping to develop the pathway for fellow athletes with intellectual disabilities. He is also a qualified badminton coach and runs Be Better Isle of Wight CIC, which provides sporting opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
Rathanan and Clint will be supported in their journey to Baku by Head Coach Jess Canfield, who has been part of the Special Olympics GB movement for 10 years and works alongside Clint as a National Sports Advisor for badminton.
Jess, who lives in Cornwall and is Head Coach at Liskeard Junior and Inclusive Badminton Club but won Badminton England’s prestigious Yonex Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022 in recognition of her work supporting grassroots badminton.