Pickleball Festival A Smash At West Wight Sports And Community Centre

Twenty-six participants took part in the Island’s first ever pickleball festival at West Wight

Sports Centre on Friday April 4. 

Every participant got to play with everyone else in an 'all play all' formula which enabled those with less experience to play against more advanced players to challenge their skills. 

Four of the participants were Sports instructors from the Isle of Wight College, who

said that there was a growing interest in pickleball at the college and they enjoyed coming

over to play with different people.

Highlight of the event was the Challenger court when English National Champion, Tom

Turney, partnered with former British Open over 60s winner, Simon Proffitt and took on any

doubles pair who challenged them to a game throughout the afternoon.

Kay Montagu, West Wight Sports Centre pickleball coach said:

"Following our successful tournament in January, we decided to hold the festival, which, from feedback, has been equally popular.  

"We shall certainly be holding more of these events in the future.”