Jack Shephard hopes that the UK Para Badminton Championships can trip the coattails of Paris 2024 in rising the game in Britain and past.
The 27-year-old made his second Paralympic look in Paris this summer time in each the boys’s SH6 singles and combined doubles alongside Rachel Choong.
He now takes to the courtroom as soon as extra earlier than the tip of the yr for the UK Para Badminton Championships on the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Shephard has two titles to defend within the Metal Metropolis on the third iteration of the occasion, after successful the singles and combined doubles crowns final yr alongside teammate Choong.
And Shephard hopes that ParalympicsGB’s fortunes in Paris this summer time has impressed individuals to select up a racquet and be part of him on the courtroom in Sheffield.
“The UK Champs is a good factor for the expansion of para badminton,” he stated. “The Pathway Growth workforce are doing loads to attempt to assist the game develop and the champs is simply a part of that.
“Hopefully the thrill off the again of the Paralympics and the nice present we placed on on the market will give it good publicity for individuals to have a go and are available to the Championships.
“I’m actually excited to play in entrance of a prime prove. Yearly it simply retains getting higher.”
Three months on from Paris, Shephard additionally famous that the UK Championships have been the right alternative to get again onto the courtroom and work in direction of one other chapter of his badminton profession.
“I really feel like I’ve bought one thing to work in direction of once more and get again into gear,” he stated.
“I want to ensure I come away as UK champion once more because it’s all the time good to say that you simply’re greatest within the UK and put that in your sporting CV.”
The Championships happen from the 22-24 November with Shephard set to be joined by Paralympic combined doubles teammate Choong and Paris 2024 silver medallists Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs.
With 4 Paralympians attending the occasion, it’s the good alternative for younger and aspiring athletes to fulfill their heroes and be taught from one of the best.
It is a chance Shephard is aware of might be an important step in lots of badminton gamers’ careers and expressed his pleasure in giving again to the neighborhood which have supported him on his personal sporting journey.
“It’s nice for these gamers who’re nonetheless attempting to develop, giving them the chance to play individuals like myself, Dan and the opposite prime gamers within the nation,” he stated. “It permits us to present again to the game in that method.
“If youthful gamers see me doing a great heat up in preparation or a settle down, it’s going to give them some training round elite sport.
“They could be questioning what the aim behind the strategies are and be taught from that.
“If anybody asks for a photograph or an autograph, I’ll all the time find time for individuals.
“They’ve clearly then been impressed by my journey so if I may give two minutes of my time to assist them develop into the subsequent greatest participant, then I’m more than pleased.”