Epic European Pickleball Championships
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By KAREN MITCHELL
NATIONAL DIRECTOR , PICKLEBALL ENGLAND ( PBE )
No one truly knows what to expect from an inaugural event . Anticipation ran high as the first European Pickleball Federation ( EPF ) European Pickleball Championships ( EPC ) were set to take place in Southampton , England .
In hindsight , Pickleball England realized that leaving final team selection until the English Nationals ( just three weeks before the Championships ) complicated preparations — particularly with organizing team kits . Thankfully , everything came together and the kits arrived just in time . On the day of the event , 12 players , two team coaches , and the team manager proudly sported their gear , making for a unified and professional appearance .
The Championships featured 24 countries vying for top honors , with the coveted overall Championship Cup the prize . However , the beauty of this event lay in its inclusivity — every country had the chance to medal in one of six events . These included Open and Senior Mixed Doubles on Saturday , and Open and Senior Men ’ s and Women ’ s Doubles on Sunday , totaling 18 medals .
Team England – Front row ( l to r ): Team manager Elaine Shallcross , Molly O ’ Donoghue , Thaddea Lock , Marcia Audibert , Anna Linton , and Richard Love . Back row ( l to r ): David Youngs , Lee Harper , James Chaudry , Louis Laville , Peter Hitchman , Mollie Knaggs , 18 + team coach Sam Basford , 50 + team coach Rob Williams , and Julie McCauley .
To ensure fair competition , the countries were divided into four groups , with top-seeded teams distributed evenly . Each event began with a round-robin phase , and the top two teams from each group advanced to the quarterfinals .
Representing one ’ s country is an unparalleled experience . The camaraderie , shared goals , and overwhelming pride were evident throughout the weekend . Team England supported one another tirelessly , and the same spirit of unity was seen across all teams . The electric atmosphere — from the opening ceremony to the closing presentation — turned the event into a grand celebration of pickleball .
In the end , Team England emerged victorious as overall champions , winning two of six golds and reaching every final . Yet , the weekend was a triumph for all , with six countries taking home medals and memories to cherish . I am certain there will be more than 24 participating countries next year !
For more information , visit europeanpickleballfederation . org / epc-2024 . •
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2025 | MAGAZINE 65