Jill Gibson starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Retiree Gibson, 62, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“A friend of mine in the Isle of Wight mentioned pickleball to me around two years ago,” said Fleet's Gibson.

“I’d never heard of it before, but she said I might enjoy it, have a go, so I looked up, through Pickleball England, my local area and I found a local club, had a go and loved it.

“I think the best aspect of is that it’s so fun, the pickleball community is really friendly and really supportive.

“It’s just a great community and, for me, it’s great as an oldie to keep going playing the sport.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“I had a little dabble in the English Open last year and that kind of prepared me for what to expect this year,” added Gibson.

“There’s a good atmosphere, it’s good to watch the pros and I’ve enjoyed the whole experience of it all because it’s not very often an ordinary person like myself can come along to something like this. We’d normally be spectating.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org