A new five-team Gladiator Team League is set to take place on 8 October in Cumbria, pitting teams from across the north of England and Scotland against each other.
It is hoped the event will become bi-monthly, with further expansion to a full slate of eight teams planned if the inaugural event proves to be a success.
The teams involved will represent Cumbria, Scotland, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Manchester.
The tournament will be played in an MLP format, with rally scoring and consisting of four games of doubles; either single-sex or mixed, before a ‘dream-breaker’, which is usually singles.
Richard Wise, who helped to organise the event, said: “It’s a very exciting competition, and we’re bringing our best teams of four, so our best players are playing against teams from outside of the area”.
Wise is a part of the Eden Valley Pickleball Club, who already run successful festivals allowing players of all abilities to play against others from in and around the local area.
It is hoped that a run of successful events may open the door for a bigger tournament in future, less focused on the highest-level players and allowing anyone who plays pickleball the chance to get involved in some competitive action.
“I think it’s important that it remains a sport that’s inclusive for everyone”, said Wise.
“But for those that do want to spread their wings and try to be a little bit more competitive, then things like festivals and accessible leagues are really important.”
