Congratulations to all at Suffolk Punch Pickleball – Active Suffolk’s Club of the Year!
They were also nominated for Team of the Year, just missing out.
And congratulations to its mastermind Christina “Dee” Barham, a finalist in the Unsung Hero and Activity Champion category.
Dee is the Pickleball England representative for Suffolk, meaning she supports the growth of the sport across the region. She also runs the East Anglian league, bringing together teams for fun and competition. In their inaugural year they had eight teams and two divisions; they now have 16 teams and four divisions, with more set to join in the future.
“The awards were very inspirational,” Dee told Pickleball 52. “There were some incredible nominees who have done some amazing work in the county. I felt honoured being just nominated for one award, let alone four – and hearing the kind words people said about our wee club during the awards was rather emotional.”
And she says she loves watching what other people get out of playing pickleball.
“What motivates me is seeing the joy, seeing people return week after week. For some, it’s their escape, their alone time and a chance to focus on something else in the outside world and fantastic for their mental health; for others it might be their physical transformation after doing sport for the first time in years. Everyone has a story, and I love getting to know people and encouraging their pickleball journey.
“It really is all about the community!”
Congratulations to Suffolk Punch on Club of the Year and to Dee for your Unsung Hero and Activity Champion Award – so very well deserved. Pickleball growth in this country is fuelled by volunteers like Dee that truly enjoy seeing other people enjoy this wonderful sport that we love.
Many congratulations Dee, great that Pickleball is being recognised in this way. I know the EACL is very popular with our players. Jane, Secretary, Norwich Pickleball Club