Badminton Scotland saddened by the passing of Alexis Barlow (née Blanchflower)

Badminton Scotland is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Alexis Barlow (née Blanchflower) on Monday 26 October while on holiday in Spain.

Alexis was a highly respected and much loved member of the Scottish badminton community, whose journey in the sport took her from the Glasgow churches league all the way to representing Scotland on the international stage.

Her badminton story began with Orchardhill Church in Glasgow before she moved to Linthouse, where her potential was quickly apparent. From there, Alexis progressed to represent Glasgow & North Strathclyde at county level and ultimately her country.

As a junior international, Alexis represented Scotland at both the Quadrangular and European Championships. She was also a multiple Scottish junior champion, winning national titles in women’s and mixed doubles.

That early promise developed into an impressive senior career. Between 1995 and 2000, Alexis earned 23 senior caps for Scotland, competing predominantly in women’s and mixed doubles.

Among the highlights of her international career was representing Scotland at the 1997 Sudirman Cup in Glasgow, a particularly special occasion on home soil, playing at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and winning the Portuguese Open mixed title with the late Russell Hogg in 1997.

From the Glasgow churches league to pulling on a Scotland shirt on the international stage, Alexis’s journey through badminton was a remarkable one. Her achievements, however, tell only part of her story and the contribution she made to our sport.

For those who knew Alexis through badminton, she was a teammate, opponent and much loved friend.  Her passing will be felt deeply across the Scottish badminton community.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her husband Craig, daughters Heather and Emma, Alexis’s family, friends, former teammates and all those who knew her at this incredibly difficult time.

Details for Alexis’s funeral:

Thursday 26th November

1PM at The Linn Crematorium (G45 9SP)

Followed by refreshments at The Redhurst Hotel (G46 6QE)

Alexis enjoyed life to the full and to celebrate this the family would encourage all to wear an item of colour on the day.