Pickleball enthusiasts from across Gloucestershire gathered in Gloucester on Saturday for the county’s first-ever tournament.
The event, held at Oxstalls Sports Park, saw 24 players compete in the Pickleball Gloucestershire 3.5+ session on badminton-sized courts. Each participant played at least seven matches, with Ben Turner and Andrew Unwin emerging as the overall winners.
Ian Walkley, a Pickleball England representative and event organizer, highlighted the tournament’s goal of uniting local clubs for competitive play. “This is a new venture bringing together all the clubs from Gloucestershire playing a mini tournament,” he said. “The players are all 3.0 level and above, so it’s a high standard. We plan to host future events for lower levels as well.”
Walkley estimates that between 500 and 1,000 people play pickleball in Gloucestershire. He emphasized the sport’s accessibility compared to padel, noting that it requires only a badminton court rather than enclosed walls.
“Pickleball is great for all ages, and the average player is over 55, making it an inclusive and engaging sport,” he added. He also hopes to develop a junior program to encourage younger players.
Mark Owen, editor of Punchline-Gloucester.com and a tournament participant, praised the sport’s inclusivity. “Pickleball is a great leveller—men and women, any age, any fitness level, can all play together,” he said.
“I’ve been playing for eight months, and it’s a fantastic way to stay fit and meet people.” He also shared how the sport has given him confidence to return to physical activity following a heart attack nine years ago.
Owen congratulated Walkley and the organizers on a successful event, predicting continued growth for the sport. Punchline-Gloucester.com also expressed interest in sponsoring future tournaments.
For more information about pickleball in Gloucestershire, visit the Pickleball Gloucestershire Facebook page or contact Ian Walkley at ian.walkley@talk21.com.
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