Euros Selection Criteria 2025
1. Selection Policy Objectives
The primary objective is to select the strongest players in England who are capable of winning matches at an international level against other countries’ teams.
2. Player Eligibility
To be considered for selection a player must be:
2.1 – A member of Pickleball England (PbE).
2.2 – An English national i.e. a holder of an English passport; this allows those residing abroad to apply.
OR
2.3 – An England resident, having been resident in England for 3 years or more up to the date of the tournament i.e. from 1 September 2022 in the case of selection for the 2025 team.
2.4 Have played in at least one English Open or English Nationals event in the last 24 months prior to the date of the tournament (to show commitment to England and be visible to other players).
2.5 Have not represented another country within the last 24 months prior to the date of the tournament.
2.6 Eligible players can be eligible for either the Open category or Seniors category, but not both.
2.7 Players are generally considered to be a 4.5+ standard.
3. Selection Committee
3.1 PbE Board of Directors have agreed to a Selection Committee, led by Elaine Shallcross BEM.
3.2 Any conflicts of interest by the Committee will be declared both before and during this process to ensure fairness and transparency.
3.3 The BoD member with a conflict will excuse themselves from any vote relating to the conflict of interest.
3.4 The PbE Selection Committee will review the information provided by players and results from international and national tournaments over the last 4 years.
3.5 That Selection Committee will, by a majority vote, select a squad of 4 men and 4 women for the 18+ England Team and 4 men and 4 women for the Senior England Team.
3.6 The squad sizes are larger than for the 2024 championships to allow for the introduction of the Singles event, factoring in the possibility of a singles specialism and fatigue/injury through the tournament.
4. Selection Process
4.1. The selection will be in line with the objective of fielding the strongest team based on results from International and National tournaments over the past 4 years.
4.2 Players who wish to be considered should make every effort to enter the English Open (06 August – 10 August 2025) at the Open 18+ level or
50+ Senior Open level. This is not a requirement but is recommended by the Board and/or Selection Committee to demonstrate ability in a top level International Tournament environment.
4.3. First Stage:
4.3.1. The first stage will be selection based purely on their application form, known ability and record of achievement. This is to avoid ‘unnecessary’ travel for those few that are competing overseas and are more likely to be selected than not.
4.3.2. The weighting of international events will be higher than national, and national higher than local/regional, with more recent results also having more of a weighting.
4.3.3. Players will be asked to indicate their willingness and availability to play on the given dates (18 – 21 September 2025).
4.3.4. The first stage will be conducted by the PbE selection committee through a virtual meeting(s) to ensure there is momentum in the selection process.
4.3.5. It is expected that after the first stage, team captains for both the Open and Seniors will be chosen.
4.4. Second Stage:
4.4.1. The second stage will be a short listing, again based on application forms.
4.5. Third and final stage:
4.5.1. Shortlisted players shall be invited to a trials day. If short-listed players are unable to attend the trials day they will be invited to submit a video of their match play for consideration.
4.5.2. The team captains will join the selection committee in both short listing and selecting the final teams. This is to ensure that player assessment involves at least one person of the same peer level playing ability.
4.6. Other considerations
What we are looking for in a player:
4.6.1. Fitness – physical, mental, emotional; and experience.
4.6.2. Personal well being, fit for the demands of international competition.
4.6.3 Required skills, for their role in the team, captaincy, singles etc.
4.6.4. Other abilities that contribute to the balance of the team – knowledge, experience, strategist, good communicator etc.
4.6.5.Demonstrate integrity, good sportsmanship, the players who we would be sure to represent England with pride and within the spirit of our game.
4.6.6. Experience of playing at the top level of the game in England and ideally internationally, with exposure to the different styles of play from international peers.
4.6.7. We aim to implement a process of continuous assessment with potential players observed whenever the opportunity presents and used to inform both short-listing and final selection.
4.6.8. Results and behaviour at tournaments in the lead up, noted and considered.
4.6.9. The movement of ratings 9with due caution re manipulation), head-to-head matches, and their application at the selection trials.
4.6.10. Where appropriate confidential input from outside of the selection committee may be sought.
5. Timeline
5.1. The championship takes place 18 – 21 September, 2025. Ideally the squads can meet and prepare well in advance of the championships. Players need to commit dates to their diaries and for those overseas plans their travel accordingly.
5.2. Week Commencing 12 May – Applications open.
5.3. 31 May – Applications close.
5.4. 13 June – First stage squad selections made and second stage short-list completed and communicated.
5.5. 28 June – Trials day and deadline for videos to be submitted by short-listed players who cannot attend.
5.6. 4 July – Final squad announced.
5.7. Team Manager and Coaches will be selected after the squad selection process, and the team captains will be involved.
5.8. This timeline is intended to leave 2 months for all or most of the squad to get together and practice/bond. Ideally they will all be in attendance at the English Open, and many would be able to attend other training camps/sessions just before or after the Open.
6. Player Cost / Sponsorship
PbE will cover the team’s travel, hotel and subsistence costs. A team kit will be provided.
7. Players' Indications of Interest
This form should be completed for each person who wishes to be considered for selection.
8. Selected Player Requirements
8.1. All selected players will be required to:
8.1.1. Commit to the team preparation a couple of days prior to the European Championships.
8.1.2. Commit to making themselves available for any reasonable social media/sponsor posts/commitments.
8.1.3. Commit to adhering to the PbE Code of Conduct, Values, relevant policies.
9. Deselection
If a player fails to meet the requirements set out in Item 8, the PbE board has the discretion to deselect the player by majority vote.