Steve Walters played a starring role in the record-breaking Skechers Pickleball English OPEN, just two years after discovering the sport while on vacation in Las Vegas.

Walters, 54, an electrical engineer, was competing in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event outside North America.

With participants ranging in age from 7 to over 70, the event reflects the incredible success of pickleball in recent years: a record number of nearly 2,000 players from 42 countries took part in a sport that has ambitions to be included in the Olympic program.

“This is my first English Open and I found it a bit daunting at first when I looked around,” said Parfitt, from Shrewsbury.

“There are some really good players here and I just came here for fun, so it was impressive to look around.”

“But what I enjoy most about pickleball is that you can have fun with it – whether you win, lose or tie, I enjoy the game.”

This year’s English OPEN featured seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s best professionals from America, Europe and Asia competing in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

The popularity of this sport, a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis, is due to its accessibility. It is easy to learn and fun. The accessibility of this sport transcends demographics, giving it a universal appeal.

“I was on vacation in Las Vegas about two years ago and saw a number of squares behind the hotel,” added Parfitt.

“I didn’t know what game it was, so I went and explored it. I discovered it was pickleball, and that’s what I started playing.

“I then came back to the UK and started looking for a local club and found one 18 months ago through Pickleball Central UK.

“When I started, I had no idea how much the sport would develop.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players who will compete in the biggest ever pickleball event outside the USA at this year’s English OPEN from August 8-14 at the Telford International Centre – visit pickleballengland.org