Energize has recently helped provide funding from Sport England's Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games allocation to Pickleball England, in partnership with Shrewsbury Pickleball Club. The purpose for this funding is aimed to increase participation in pickleball across Shropshire. Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The sport is able to attract a range of people, offering an activity that is slightly different to others available across the county.

Shrewsbury Pickleball Club is one of six groups across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, but the only club catering for the Shrewsbury and Telford areas. Two sessions per week at the new Shrewsbury Tennis Centre Dome will seek to encourage women and girls to access Pickleball for an initial 12 week pilot programme running from September to December 2022. Following this pilot, the sessions will be sustained by Shrewsbury Pickleball Club to continue this provision.

The funding will provide equipment for the pilot sessions to start up and to provide temporary court markings at the Shrewsbury Tennis Centre location.

Pickleball England are linking in with the social prescribing network to create access to Pickleball for those prescribed physical activity opportunities, including those experiencing low-level mental ill health including but not limited to; depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and confidence. 

To find out more information about Shrewsbury Pickleball Club, call 07528 346176 or email [email protected]. 

Players about to start their games at Shrewsbury Pickleball Club.