The first European Pickleball Championship is under way in Southampton, with a pre-tournament leading into the competition proper on Saturday.
And Pickleball England chair Karen Mitchell is thrilled to have the privilege of this inaugural event in her country.
“Having the first ever European Pickleball Championships in England is a fantastic honour for us,” she told Pickleball 52, “and is an amazing opportunity for English players to play in the pre-EPC tournament with players from another 23 countries.”
The England team for the weekend’s events comprises Louis Laville, James Chaudry, Peter Hitchman, Thaddea Lock, Mollie Knaggs, Molly O’Donoghue, Richard Love, David Youngs, Lee Harper, Marcia Audibert, Julie Mac and Anna Linton – a strong squad by anyone’s standards.
Indeed, the latter two began the weekend by winning the pre-EPC 50+ women’s 4.5 category.
“We have a great team representing England at the first European Pickleball Championships,” confirms Karen. “England are one of the top seeded teams and they are playing at home so hopefully with lots of supporters they will be lifting the cup at the end of the weekend!”
Follow the livestream for the tournament proper via the European Pickleball Federation YouTube channel.
