Ryde Badminton Player To Represent Great Britain At European Competition

An Isle of Wight badminton player will represent Special Olympics Great Britain at an international tournament in Azerbaijan next month.

Clint Gardner, 36, from Ryde, has been selected to compete in singles and doubles at the inaugural Special Olympics European Badminton Competition in Baku from November 18 to 22.

The event will bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities from 20 countries.

Clint secured gold in the singles competition at this year's Special Olympics GB National Summer Games and says representing his country internationally is a dream come true.

He began playing badminton with his brother at the age of 13, after being encouraged by his school to join Rydekings Badminton Club. He remains a member today, alongside Freshwater Badminton Club.

Clint also works as a National Sports Advisor for badminton at Special Olympics GB, helping to create more opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

He is a qualified badminton coach and runs Be Better Isle of Wight CIC, which provides sporting opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.

Clint will travel to Baku alongside teammate Rathanan Pathmanathan, from Special Olympics Surrey.

They will be supported by head coach Jess Canfield, who has been involved with Special Olympics GB for ten years.

Clint said finding Special Olympics GB in 2022 had helped transform his sporting journey, after previously becoming frustrated by the lack of opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to develop and compete.

He said he was excited to take the next step by competing internationally outside of a Special Olympics World Games.