Badminton prides itself on being inclusive for all players. Avon is looking to expand on its current provision so that everyone can participate.

Affiliated clubs that can cater for players with disabilities can be found on the Badminton England website.

Avon players have won many medals at Para-Badminton around the world, including of course two Olympic Silver medals for Dan Bethell in SL3 category. Other notable players have been Antony Forster and Bobby Griffin.

Avon has also had players recently compete at the European Deaf Championships in Czechia.

Occasionally there are courses run by Badminton England to raise awareness of how to coach and manage players with disabilities. Please contact the Badminton England Regional Manager Laura Light at lauralight@badmintonengland.co.uk for more info.

Avons runs a Para-Badminton tournament every year, with the next one on Sunday 25th January 2026, at Gordano School, Portishead.

Para-Badminton

This relates to the 6 classifications used in the Paralympics.  There is a thriving international circuit, and a national circuit is being developed, including 4 events in the South West.

  • WH1 – Wheelchair
  • WH2 – Wheelchair 
  • SL3 – Standing lower limb disability 
  • SL4 – Standing lower limb disability 
  • SU5 – Standing upper limb disability 
  • SS6 – Short Stature (Dwarfs)

Avons runs a Para-Badminton tournament every year, with the next one on Sunday 25th January 2026, at Gordano School, Portishead.

For further information please contact James Elkin at jameselkin23@gmail.com, Badminton England South West Para-Badminton Coach or Dwarf Sports Association South West, Siobhan Lennon-Patience at dsasouthwest@icloud.com

Deaf Badminton 

Training sessions for Deaf players of all standards takes place around the country, including the South West. There is also training sessions for those wishing to compete internationally.  For some tournaments an audiogram reading is needed, but locally anyone who wears a hearing aid can train with the group.

For further information please contact James Elkin, GB Deaf Association Coach at jameselkin23@gmail.com

Disability Badminton

This covers all other disabilities, but particularly those with a Learning Difficulty. Players can compete in the annual Avon tournament along with Para players, or in the Special Olympics.

The badminton advisor for the Special Olympics is based in the South West, so please contact Jess Canfield jesscanfield4@gmail.com for further information.