Published:
08:04 July 19, 2022
It is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and its fans include the Kardashians and Leonardo DiCaprio.
And now pickleball has been put firmly on the map in North Norfolk.
Dozens of players have taken up bat and ball to try their hand at the sport – described as a mix of tennis, table tennis and badminton – since Cromer Tennis Club introduced it last summer.
Richard Millman, former US national squash coach, brought the sport to the club after seeing its popularity explode across the Atlantic. He started three weekly sessions – Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon and Fridays at 7 p.m.
Mr Millman said part of the appeal of pickleball was that it was so easy to learn.
Richard Millman coaches pickleball at the Cromer Tennis Club.
– Credit: Provided by Cromer Tennis Club
He said: “Within five minutes of picking up a pickleball paddle, kids can start enjoying the game. It makes for a very inclusive game that’s fun for a whole class of different abilities – and pickleball you can move on to other racquet sports.”
Judy Oliver and Jean Spruce were appointed to coordinate sport at the club when Mr Millman returned to the United States over the winter, and the Cromer side soon played games against rivals such as Norwich, Dereham, Gorleston and Hingham.
Anakin Owen with a bronze medal he won at the Southampton contest.
– Credit: Provided by Cromer Tennis Club
Eight Cromer players – Richard Millman, Pat Millman, Karen Owen, Anakin Owen, Mrs Oliver, Alex Oliver, Rhodri Oliver and Paul Brittain – even took part in the English Open Pickleball tournament in Southampton earlier this month, returning home with two gold, two silver and five bronze medals. Mr. Owen even reached the quarter-finals of the national open competition.
Icarus Hines, vice-president of the tennis club, said he was inspired by the social possibilities of the sport and, together with Keith Dickens, organized a tournament between the Cromer and Sheringham round table and the 41 club, made up of former members of the round table. . Thirty people took part.
Cromer pickleball players Paul Brittain and Pat and Richard Millman, in their kit sponsored by the Artisan Cafe in Alby.
– Credit: Provided by Cromer Tennis Club
Mr Millman said he now aims to introduce pickleball to schools in Norfolk, and Year 7 students at Cromer Academy are already playing the sport as part of their physical education lessons.
Club chairman Kelvin van Hasselt said he was delighted there were so many racquet sports options in Cromer.
He said: “With squash under our new squash coach Henry Geaves and tennis under a team of tennis coaches led by Andy Margarson, we can, with the expert help of Richard, offer five racket sports in our club with quality supervision for adults, schools and juniors.”
Anyone wishing to try the sport can email [email protected] or call 01263 513 741 to reserve a place. Mr. Millman can be contacted for one-on-one coaching at [email protected]
A social event in Cromer where members of Club 41 played Cromer and Sheringham round table pickleball.
– Credit: Provided by Cromer Tennis Club
