Dan Phillips, 30, is a para badminton player from Poole who has just taken part in his first international tournament representing England in Egypt.
Phillips has cerebral palsy and competes in the para tier known as SL3, as his disability is a standing disability which affects the right hand side of his body, particularly his lower limbs.
Last week, Phillips competed for the first time in England colours as he represented his nation in the Egypt Para Badminton International in Cairo. However, he was not given the easy route in the tournament as he faced world no.26 for singles and the best doubles pairing in the world.
When talking to Buzz about his time in Cairo Phillips said “ As much as the results didn’t go my way, the performances I put in against some of the worlds best really took me by surprise.”
Suffering with Cerebral Palsy means that Phillips’s badminton journey has perhaps not been as straightforward as many others who compete at his level.
“I was always able bodied until two and a half years ago but bever competed to a very difficult level. Before going into para’s I competed in a couple of able bodied tournaments but there is still a big level difference between high level para badminton and county level able bodied.”
He’s been playing badminton for over 20 years, but only ever played socially until his coach recommended a regional disability tournament for the first time. From here, Phillips discovered the Team GB disability pathway which has lead him to where he is today.
Phillips spoke about the para scene in Dorset not being the greatest, with his doubles partner being in Southampton and other near competitors being Devon and Cornwall. On top of this, the GB squad is based in Sheffield so the accessibility to the facilities and coaching Phillips needs, is not ideal.
This is not Phillips’ only challenge he’s overcome on his journey as he said “one thing I was always quite afraid of is asking questions, putting myself out there but in recent times the more I’ve realised the more I talk, the more information I get, the further I can go.”
I couldn’t resit asking Phillips what his ambitions are now he’s hit the heights of representing his country to which he replied with a singular word “Paralympics”.
“ The goal is LA in 2028” said Phillips, “however, if I don’t achieve enough ranking points in the short space of time between now and then, it will be Australia in 2032 as my end goal.”
Phillips’s story is one to be marvelled at, as he’s gone from playing his able bodied mates in the local sports hall in Poole, to being on the big stage representing his country. Now, the world is his Oyster, as the Paralympics beckons whether it be LA or Australia, Phillips is determined to fulfil his goal.
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