High Wycombe coach Gary Fox admits he is relishing every minute of playing badminton again after his Birmingham Lions team lifted the AJ Bell National Badminton League trophy on Sunday.

Fox, who has put off a second heart operation to continue playing the sport he loves, was left ecstatic after his teammates wrapped up the win against Loughborough Sport before he took to the court at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena.

Alongside partner Koen Ridder, the 26-year-old defeated University of Nottingham Badminton duo Adam Hall and Adam Cwalina 8-9 9-7 9-8 9-8 in the semi-finals to secure his side’s place in the final.

And overcome with joy after coming into the final as underdogs, Fox admitted he couldn’t be prouder of his teammates.

“I don’t care at all that I didn’t play,” said Fox, who is the lead coach at the Wycombe Performance Centre in Cressex. “We were in the back waiting to come on and then we just had to sprint round to watch the end.

“I was very thankful that they got it over and done with then rather than it going to 2-2. It was awesome and the girls were just amazing.

“I’ve never had confetti guns at an event before so that was an experience and it’s the first time I’ve ever really won anything this big so it’s a huge thing for us. Confetti everywhere, a trophy, cameras, it was just a mental experience.

“It was a big win for us. We didn’t make it into the final last year so this is a massive deal for us.

“We came into the final quietly confident, but we knew they would be the favourites.”

In October 2013, Fox was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.

And after being forced to take some time out of the sport on health grounds, the former European Junior bronze medallist is loving being back on the court.

“I’ve missed competing a lot so being able to play in the AJ Bell NBL has been really good for me,” he said.

“I’m obviously not as sharp as I used to be but I’m enjoying my badminton more than ever.”

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