Pickleball 52 caught up with Karen Mitchell at the English Nationals to ask about the secrets of the sport’s strong community.
The Pickleball England Chair said the proximity between players gives it an advantage over other sports in bringing people together and forming strong bonds.
- Karen also revealed that the 2024 English Nationals may require regional qualifying tournaments as ever-rising entry numbers may exceed the capacity of Bolton Arena.
Last October’s 2023 edition had 680 players packed into the venue over four days of competition, having risen from 420 entrants in 2022 and 230 in its inaugural year in 2021. With at least one more year left at Bolton, regional qualifiers would offer more manageable numbers. - Meanwhile, after Pickleball 52 revealed the English Open would be played over a whole week at Telford in August, Pickleball England have now released the full schedule.
The opening day, Thursday 8 August, will feature a Battle of the Paddles event and as well as the usual mix of age group singles, gender and mixed doubles, juniors and wheelchair competition, there will be a Masters team event, with further details to follow.
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