Katherine Coke is helping to create a national network for wheelchair pickleball players after competing in a field of nine at last week’s Skechers English Open.
The 45-year-old teacher took part in a wheelchair event at the Telford International Centre and she hopes to build up nationwide interest in wheelchair pickleball in the months ahead.
Katherine is currently the only wheelchair user who plays at Kendal Pickleball Club in Cumbria. She was first introduced to wheelchair tennis by Terry Smith, who she met while her son was playing in a tournament. Terry then got Katherine and several other friends playing pickleball.
Coke, from Sedburgh, said: “We’re now part of a wheelchair league up in Cumbria. Richard Wise has been quite instrumental in getting that set up with Terry.
“We’ve got two players who’ve come up from Leeds here today to come and play as well and Andy has come from Portsmouth, who we all met at the English Nationals last year.
“I’ve met a few other people in tennis tournaments that are keen to join in, and these are in other parts of the country.
“There’s just nowhere for them to go yet and we’re just trying to get them into coaching and for clubs to incorporate it.
“I play at Kendal Pickleball Club and I’m the only one in a wheelchair. I joined that because I played up at Carlisle with the tennis guys, but I’m the only one in a wheelchair so I kind of fly the flag a bit. I’m also flying the flag for women here.”
