From set up on Wednesday when James Chaudry and Simon Farr led a crew to lay down courts and two championship courts.  Nisha Raja deployed a SCAN team to set up scrolling screens around the venue.  Vicky Ault came to the rescue lending us loads of tables from Markland Hill Club.  All the local players that came to set up nets and put out barriers, set up t-shirt displays.  Salli Griffith who created all the artwork for the English Nationals, having fun with the Knotty’s colour palette.  She even ended up setting up Knotty’s display for the event and selling tubs of peanut butter alongside her own creative items.  

Massive thank you to the Welcome Desk crew, the Court Monitors, the roving court monitors that made sure that the next game went on as soon as the prior game finished. To Matt who managed the Players Court, whilst Chris & Karen managed the Championship Court. We are grateful to Louise Stephens for co-ordinating all our volunteers and Elaine Shallcross for co-ordinating the Welcome Desk. A round of applause for our wonderful Referee team, Head Ref Eric for coming over from the USA.  Referee Co-ordinator Kelly Dawson who had done so much in the weeks prior to the event and to those that pitched up to make the player experience that bit more special.  Huge thank you to Tony Stamper for paddle testing at the tournament.  The fact that 9 out of 243 paddles failed demonstrated the importance of testing.

Kudos to Chris Mitchell’s scheduling – it worked so well.  Player feedback was they loved having all their group games together.  Knowing the knock out rounds were scheduled after all the group stages were over allowed players to volunteer for some of the time, others used the time to watch play, go for some lunch or go shopping! Trevor Robinson ran a very tight ship from an operational perspective, making Frank Arico happy that he was surplus to requirements, so he used some of his time to operate a score board he has built on Championship Court.

Congratulations to Shoot on Sight for live-streaming two courts simultaneously ensuring that the quality of transmission was excellent.  There were some new features included at this tournament which we want to incorporate into future streams.  Of course an integral part of the stream is the excellent commentary.  Nick Hobbis and Chris Beaumont are excellent anchors.  Thank you to those that took a stint on the mic during the event, including Julie Mac, Tim Spurway, Rob Williams, Julia Stevens, Stuart Stimpson, Sam Basford.  Not finished watching the livestream so if I have forgotten someone, please forgive me.

We hope that you have seen the excellent work of Sportsbeat who covered the event from a reporting, social media and videography perspective.  Paul Currie was back doing photography for the 5th year – his photos are fantastic – click this link to find them.  

A shout out to our fabulous sponsors:  Our title sponsor Knotty’s organised the t-shirts that players received. The Pickleball Store – players loved the prize court Lloyd operated with Sam from SB Excapes.  Franklin X40 Balls and Nets are provided by Franklin Sports, Elite Island Resorts & Antigua & Barbuda, who offered a free holiday as a prize draw for players. We thank Paddell for having a table at the event – loved the bling for men!  We thank Michael of the Therapy Lounge for joining us in Bolton and helping players with their aches and pains and the First Aid Team, who were always prepared for anything! 

The final thank you is to everyone that helped breakdown the event on Sunday evening ensuring we got out before the venue closed.  Everyone doing a little, makes a lot happen in record time.  Thank you to James and helpers for getting the two livestream courts rolled up too – no mean feat, they are so heavy!