One of pickleballEngland’s objectives is to arrange Leagues and Ladders to encourage competitive play and help players improve their game. The first League that has been introduced is a Singles League. The reason we went for Singles first is that there is an appetite for singles play that most clubs can’t satisfy – a limited number of available courts and lots of players equals doubles play to maximise play.
We started with a Southern England League because we knew we had demand. Martin Brooker of Thanet Pickleball Club, had started a Doodle Poll to find out who was interested in Singles Play. There were 24 people stating they were interested in playing at Maidstone’s YMCA. This was the catalyst for the league.
PickleballEngland block booked the 4 courts for 6.30pm-9.30pm every 2nd Saturday of the month (unless there is a major tournament and then we will move the date ), took out public liability insurance and set out the parameters for the league.
Our first session was Saturday 12th January and we had 11 Men and 8 Ladies. A total of 63 games were played on the first night. Players ages ranged between 15 and 61. 6 Clubs were represented: Thanet, Maidstone, Invicta, SLAP, Eastbourne and Runnymede. Three players didn’t drop a game, Louis Laville, Steve Rust and Tracy King. Bonita Baker-Robins and Chris Mitchell dropped just one game each.
Maidstone YMCA have a great behind glass viewing area which meant whilst not playing attendees could either watch the competition or socialise. There was a great atmosphere during the evening – thank you everyone for turning around those games promptly! £10 for 3 hours was good value for money for the players and put some money into pickeballEngland’s coffers too. Win-Win!
If you fancy being part of the SE League, it is not too late. You have to be a registered member with pickleballEngland. Then email info@pickleballengland.org quoting your member number and asking to join the Singles League.
If you live outside travelling distance of the League and you want to be part of a league, please email info@pickleballengland.org and we will hold a log of interested parties until there is enough to start a league in the area.
The results of the night are below. The League standings table will be available on pickleballEngland website.
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