The European Championships start this weekend – and Team England are out in Rome acclimatising ahead of the start of competition.
Team manager Elaine Shallcross tells Pickleball 52 that the squad have gelled well, and enjoyed two excellent training sessions with coaches Peps Giuliano and Rob Williams – and now everyone is looking forward to the opening ceremony and then the start of the competition tomorrow with the singles event, when they’ll be on court in their red, white and blue kit sponsored by Skechers.
“The competition looks to have risen this year,” Elaine adds, “looking at some of fantastic players who are representing their countries.
“The venue is outdoors at the world-famous Il Foro Italica. Our team will need to adjust to different playing surface – we hear the bounce is very low – the elements and the heat of the day – no shade whilst playing! The weather is looking good with daytime highs expected around 27/28C, so it will be seriously hot on court!”
She says: “Representing Team England is an immense honour for all of us, as it signifies the pinnacle of dedication, hard work, and passion we have for our sport.
“To wear the England shirt is not only a personal achievement but also a chance to carry the pride of our nation. It’s a moment where every match is more than just a game, it’s an opportunity to inspire, possibly to make pickleball history, and to give back to our fans and supporters who are the cornerstone of English pickleball.”
