The British Army held its first pickleball championships at Hurlands Pickleball and Padel Club in Surrey, after a week of beginner coaching at Aldershot Garrison, according to Forces News.
The week shows how quickly a new player can become competitive. Officer Cadet Maddie Marsh had never played before the sessions, and went on to win the women’s title with Lieutenant Colonel Claire Curry. “It’s crazy how much you can pick up in a couple of days,” she told Forces News. Staff Sergeant Martin Harwood and Private Alex Jeffries took the men’s title, with Harwood only starting a year ago.
Behind it is a coaching pipeline. Pickleball England’s Director of Coaching, Rob Williams, designed the coach education system that trains Army Physical Training Instructors to teach the game, so it can spread through units without outside coaches.
The format suits the forces because it is easy to set up. Staff Sergeant Colin McCabe, who leads Army Pickleball, said the sport “literally can be played anywhere”, with tournaments held on parade squares and the Navy trying it on ships.
