2019 Director Elections
Thank you to all those that nominated our Director candidates. The South East Region was the only region that had more than one nomination requiring a vote. Players resident in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, London, Greater London, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, East & West Sussex, the counties making up the South East Region, were sent an email requesting that they cast their vote for one of the director candidates. All votes had to be received by 2nd August. All clubs in the South East Region were also given a vote.
The two candidates David Bungard and Sue Harris canvassed beyond their own clubs which resulted in a huge spike in pickleballEngland registrations to that people could vote for their chosen candidate. Thank you David and Sue for investing your personal time to spread the word about pickleballEngland – you have increased registrations by at least 50 members as a result of your activities.
Sadly an election can only result in the appointment of one director, in this instance, Sue Harris, but we hope that David will continue to play a supporting role for pickleballEngland.
National Directors
We are delighted to confirm that Frank and Karen’s nominations were uncontested and therefore they are confirmed as our national directors for the next 12 months.
Meet our nominated PickleballEngland's Regional Directors - they will assume office at our AGM in August
South East Region
South West Region
East Midlands Region
Sue Harris
Sue plays a variety of racket sports including pickleball, badminton (league level), tennis (league level), paddle tennis and table tennis. In her younger days she was a competitive swimmer and springboard diver and junior badminton player in Scotland. She now enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, swimming and hiking as well as pickleball. She is a level 1 IPTPA Coach and is playing in 6 European tournaments this year! Sue was an executive director in the pharmaceutical industry with particular experience in general management, business development and licensing, marketing and senior level recruitment. Sue has lived and worked in the UK, France, Germany & Norway and can speak the languages of all 4 countries! She has a Bachelor of commerce Degree and a Law Degree. Sue was a committee member of Wentworth Tennis and Health Club for 5 years and was an active and engaged Lady Captain in 2014. Sue has served on a number of boards of companies in the UK, Norway and Germany and was also a main Board Director of a publicly listed company in the UK. With her legal background and business experience, so has a good knowledge of governance issues.
Roberto Rospo
Originally from Italy, Roberto has lived in Bristol for the last 10 years. He was an avid tennis player until his friend introduced him to pickleball about 2.5 years ago taking him to Cwmbran in Wales to play. He says that he was hooked after 5 minutes and in May 2019, Alan and Roberto set up a club in Bristol. Roberto has visited many clubs in the UK and Europe to play. Career: Currently works for Nationwide Building Society as a business analyst. He is introducing pickleball into the organisation which has 18,000 employees! Prior to that he worked in local government for 5 years; the organic food industry for 5 years and in academic sector for 2 years. Experience of working on Boards and/or as a Director:-Collaboration and decision making in relation to Bristol club covering costs, funding, scheduling, marketing, etc
Jeff Van de Hulst
Originally from Netherlands, Jeff spent 25 years in the hospitality industry on cruise ships, in hotels, resorts, restaurants and clubs and managing dive operations. He has a strong training background with effective communication skills and driving actions.
Jeff played Judo, Tae Kwondo, football, tennis and many other sports. He is a Padi IDC Staff Instructor (Scuba Diving) and has been playing pickleball for 3 years of which 2 years as an IPTPA Level 2 instructor. Jeff has experience in refereeing at Pickleball tournaments and is now an IFP Ambassador. Experience of working on Boards and/or as a Director: Jeff worked as Cruise Director in Malaysia on a small diving vessel. He is currently part of the management committee of the local sports hall.
Jeff wants to help develop pickleball in the right way to communities of all ages which promotes fair play and community spirit within a recreational and competitive outlook.
Elaine Shallcross - North West Region
Worked in sports sector for over 30 years, teaching as a coach and in sports development. Introduced pickleball to the North West of England, setting up numerous clubs and sessions. Set up the North West Pickleball Festival and NW Restricted Tournament. Tournament Director & Organiser of the Inaugural Thailand Open. Played in pickleball tournaments in Asia, Europe and USA. Career Highlights: Chaired Lancashire Sport Development Forum; Supported Manchester Olympic bid, then Commonwealth Games bid, particularly focussed on volunteer recruitment and training. Experience of lottery funding applications, accessing community funding; creating sports pathways, partnerships, sports research.
Sam Basford - West Midlands Region
Sports Knowledge & Experience: - Played Pickleball for 2.5 Years; Competed in Europe & America winning multiple medals. Currently organising the English OPEN & Completing IPTPA Level II Teaching Course. Played Tennis & Table Tennis at County level. Set up and run Warwickshire Pickleball Club. Career : Student at University of Nottingham Working at PWC over next 3 years Experience of working on Boards and/or as a Director: - Co-Director of English OPEN - On PEC UK Committee which runs Milton Keynes Pickleball Festival & Young Persons Championship.
Stanley Johnson - North East Region
Held the title of Durham County Badminton Singles Champion for 10 years and represented the County 1st team for over 10 years. Two years ago while in the USA l discovered the great sport of Pickle ball which resulted in me finally hanging up my rackets. In the USA l play in Grand Lake, Colorado with a membership mostly of 4.0 level, and in the U.K. Plays at North Tyneside Club and currently establishing a new club in the city of Sunderland working in partnership with City Council to expand. Career Highlights: Wide and varied career working in the public and private sector and finally retiring as Managing Director of inspiredspaces Ltd in 2013. This company was responsible for the delivery of multi million pound national Government projects through the procurement of Government funding and private sector finance.