A pioneer of pickleball in the UK is part of the 12-strong England team for the inaugural European Pickleball Championships this weekend.
“I’m very excited,” Julie Mac told Pickleball52. “I did well at [the 2024 Skechers English] Nationals and was pleased with my performance. I knew I was on the shortlist but couldn’t take anything for granted.
“Then I got an email from Elaine Shallcross saying congratulations, you’ve been selected to represent England. It was a relief, it was elation, I felt honoured. I’ve coached elite deaf athletes, I’ve been to a Deaflympics as a head coach, but to get this call-up in a sport I’ve loved for the last eight years is the icing on the cake.”
She began playing eight years ago, and recently won the 50+ women’s doubles at the English Nationals (with partner Anna Linton – who she describes as “just a baby, she’s only just 51!”) as well as finishing as runner-up in the mixed doubles with David Youngs.
“I thought I was in pretty good form. I was women’s doubles champion at Nationals last year, so there was a lot of pressure for me going in this year with a different partner. I’m a very strategic person on court, I can quickly identify people’s strengths and weaknesses, and I’m able to give that advice to Anna.
“It was after Nationals last year that I actually asked her if she’d partner me. She was just coming up into the 50+ age group. I’d known of her – I’ve got a lot of friends in Norfolk! I knew she was going to be a really, really good player so I was lucky that I got in right at the beginning of her pickleball career. We gelled straightaway on court. Our playing styles complement each other. It’s a really good partnership and I’m looking forward to taking that forward at the weekend.”
It’s an international call-up she never expected, despite being one of the first to take up pickleball in the UK. She is also heavily involved in the sport’s development, particularly in making it more accessible for deaf players.
“I’m the oldest player in the team. It’s an honour and something I’ve always dreamt of but I didn’t think would happen because I found the sport too late. I played sport all my life – table tennis, swimming, football – and I wish I’d had the opportunities that the younger players have got now, in the 18+ bracket: Louis [Laville], Thaddea [Lock], James [Chaudry], playing as professionals, but I can continue to be a pioneer and continue to develop the sport.”
