We mark World Health Day by profiling 88-year-old Colin Bedford, whose story is a shining example of how staying active can support physical and mental health well into later life.
For Englishman Bedford, the sport is more than just a pastime – it’s a lifelong passion, a path to love and a pillar of wellbeing.
As the oldest badminton coach in his country and known locally as a kind and lovely man, Bedford, who is based in March, Cambridgeshire, is a reminder age is no barrier to pursuing one’s passion.
“I’ve been interested in sports all my life,” Bedford recalls, reflecting on his introduction to badminton at age 11. “A teacher at secondary school said, ‘I think you are going to have a flair for this’ and gave me some extra coaching. That was it, it took off from there.”
By 14, Bedford was proudly wearing his first county badge, playing against neighbouring counties such as Norfolk and Suffolk for the Isle of Ely team.
Badminton didn’t just shape Bedford’s health, it also shaped his heart.
“I met my late dear wife Margaret at the local youth club when I was 14,” he recalled fondly. “She hadn’t played before but I said, ‘Come and have a game with me’. She enjoyed it and we played together for years. She didn’t like badminton quite as much as me but she loved the friendships that came with it.”
Treating badminton as a vehicle for giving back, over the years, the spritely octogenarian has coached thousands of players across six venues in Cambridgeshire. Today, he could be found parting knowledge at the Neale-Wade Academy, where the badminton facilities have been named in his honour.
“When I started, we were playing in the school dining room,” he remembered. “Now we’ve got a proper sports hall with four courts and I’d like to think I’ve contributed to its growing popularity in the area.”
The Neale-Wade Academy honouring Bedford (centre). IMAGE: Neale-Wade Academy
His enthusiasm for badminton is matched only by his belief in its health benefits.
“Exercise is good for you, health-wise it’s excellent,” Bedford explains. “It’s a safe sport too. In all my years coaching, I’ve only known one person get seriously injured. Generally, it’s low-risk and keeps you fit.”
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the absence of the sport took its toll.
“I missed my friends more than anything,” he says. “I kept active by walking my dog Evie and doing the gardening but it was a lonely time.”
Returning to coaching brought a renewed sense of purpose and connection. Working with players aged 11 to 18, Bedford bridges the generational gap with patience and humour.
“They’ll walk on court with a phone in one hand and a racket in the other,” he chuckles. “So I say, ‘If you’d rather be on your phone, maybe have a rest’. But then I ask them to show me their phones later, it helps me connect with them.”
Even now, despite arthritis and a hernia to contend with, Bedford remains determined to keep going.
“I can’t move like I used to but I still come along, demonstrate what I can and help the players improve,” he says. “Badminton keeps you physically active and mentally sharp. Did you know it decreases the chance of diabetes by 58 per cent? It’s brilliant.”
Bedford stands as a testament to the power of sport – not just to maintain health but to build a life rich in joy and purpose.
Bedford and Evie, who keeps him active outside badminton.
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