SL3 Para badminton player Cambell Plant refuses to be shackled by the stigma those living with disabilities sometimes face.
“I’ve always wanted to break down disability barriers,” said the 29-year-old recipient of the BWF Female Participation Grant 2023, which supports a new athlete’s participation needs, including classification.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler, Plant was an active child, taking part in athletics before switching to Para swimming at the age of 10, representing Great Britain at international tournaments.
“It’s important to show others disabled people can do anything. I used to be a swimmer for Great Britain, but I retired from that because I wanted to focus on my degree in Chemical Engineering,” said Plant after making her overseas debut at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2023 in February.
“When badminton was announced on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games programme, I wanted to find out what it was like. I got a coach and I’ve been playing for a year.”
Plant’s badminton inspiration also comes from her family.
“My grandmother was a good player and that’s another reason to take up the sport. I’m having so much fun competing,” she revealed.
Playing singles and women’s and mixed doubles, she admitted the funding from BWF helps her play a sport that allows her to have fun.
“I wouldn’t be here (in Vitoria) if not for BWF. It’s great to have the experience, I have the motivation to get more training and constantly improve. When you are in my class, it’s quite hard to get through to these kinds of events (Level 2). I’m grateful to BWF for this opportunity,” she added.
Plant (right) plays in three categories.
Home hope Selenia Pla Mompo (SL3) is also a recipient of the grant, aiding her badminton debut at age 15.
“I was nervous playing in Spain. It helps to have my team around me,” said Pla Mompo after her first match.
“I’ve been playing badminton for a couple of years, but learning about this programme really helped change things for me. I hope I can play more tournaments and travel. When I told my school friends where I was going, I got a postitive reaction – they told me how proud they were of me.”
Pla Mompo in action on home turf.
Frenchwoman Agnieszka Etavard-Glemp (WH1) meanwhile, was introduced to badminton by her children, having previously played basketball.
“I fell in love with the sport. The funding from BWF has helped me get classified. What I really wanted to see was how I could play a singles match. It was exciting, I had such a rush of good feelings as I came on to court. I’ve made a lot of friends and experienced new things. I will continue to play badminton and basketball.”
Apart from Plant, Pla Mompo and Etavard-Glemp, Anastasiia Zavalii (Ukraine) and Dalya Seleman (Germany) also received the grant and made their debuts in Spain.
Etavard-Glemp discovered Para badminton through her children.
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