THE quaintly named sport of Pickleball is returning to Bolton this week for the English National Championships after a year in which the game has exploded across the UK.
The tournament got underway yesterday at Bolton Arena and runs until Sunday following the first ever national event’s success at the venue last year.
Pickleball has swept through America, counting celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney among its many fans.
Now, in just 12 months, it has enjoyed a 60 per cent increase in the UK with around 7,000 active players. This includes members at three local clubs – Horwich Hotshots, Leigh Pickleball Club and Markland Hill Racquets Club in Bolton.
Several players from these local clubs are taking part in the national championships, which are sponsored by Scan Computers International based at Middlebrook, Bolton.
The sport is a hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis and can be played indoors on badminton courts or outdoors on tennis courts using paddles and a plastic ball. Its appeal is that it is easy to learn, fun to play and suits all ages and abilities.
Players to look out for during the Bolton event include Karen Farnhill from Clitheroe and Angela Needham from Leigh, who were medallists in the English and Scottish Open championships, and Robert Rosenfield and Andy Kerch from Leigh who won gold.
For the first time, just like Major League Baseball, there will be Major League Pickleball at the Nationals with eight teams featuring the best players. Each one is sponsored by a company and Scan is supporting its team, the Scantastics.
The growth of Pickleball across the North-west of England is largely down to its regional organiser Elaine Shallcross. She worked in the sports sector for over 30 years and played badminton for Bolton before learning to play Pickleball in Thailand. She now competes at her new sport’s highest level.
“We’re delighted to be back at the Bolton Arena after last year’s first English National Championships here,” she stated. “The last year has been an amazing one for Pickleball, with sessions held across the region and new clubs springing up everywhere.
“It’s a brilliant game with something for everyone and the Nationals offer the chance to see some of the very best players in action.”
• For more information on Pickleball go to www.pickleballengland.org
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