The youngest player in the Premier Pickleball League was the MVP for matchweek one, going undefeated in her matches across singles, doubles and mixed.
The official PPL Instagram account hailed her achievements: “R3 have a real talent on their hands, one to watch for the season!”
And R3 team manager Karen Crawford couldn’t be prouder of Lauren Gosling.
“She’s the youngest person in the league, and she played five matches and won five matches,” she says.
It was a spectacular start to Season 3. R3 Sport are captained by Josh Bright, and his team comprises Lauren, Natasha-Lara Hood, Daniel Wren, Sabrina Edwards-Pereira, and Ewan Skillicorn.
It’s a young team in terms of experience, but in terms of talent, they’re brimful of it.
“None of us could sit on the sidelines. Our minds weren’t anywhere else. We all love the game and are passionate about playing, and even though we’re quiet individually, when we come together as a team we are naturally competitive and naturally supportive of each other, because we have that love. It’s our shared passion.
“There’s massive respect for each other, and I think that’s ultimately why we got the wins. I mean, obviously they’re all great players, but I think that team aspect that we have off the court massively boosts their game, which was already great anyway. I couldn’t be happier.”
As she hints there, she is a very involved spectator.
“I lived every moment of Sunday: every single shot they hit was as if I was on the court as well. I really felt everything that they were going through and everything they did, from my playing experience. I was excited to be part of it and also use my skills and knowledge of the game and skills from other life experiences that I’ve had to really support the players in their first team experience and their first time in PPL.
“I felt like we were a naturally good team, and we just came together.”
There’s now a two-month break before the next round of fixtures, so Karen will be organising a few team practices.
“We know what we can do. Let’s just go and play. It’ll just be the same for fixture two. It’ll just be as if it’s day one again. We’ll bring the excitement, bring the passion, and I think that’s just how we are.”
