It’s two weeks to go until the return of the Premier Pickleball League – and North London Storm’s Jayne Wallace can’t wait.
It’s even more exciting bearing in mind she didn’t even expect to get drafted.
“I only heard about the try-outs the day before, when I was out for dinner with my friend May Pan, who plays in the Challenger division,” Jayne tells Pickleball 52. “She mentioned she’d be playing the next day and suggested I come along. I wasn’t going to turn down a full day of pickleball, so I signed up without thinking much of it.
“At the time, I didn’t know much about the league or how the draft worked, and since I wasn’t expecting to be picked, I wasn’t following it closely. I then got a message from May telling me to check Instagram, and that’s how I found out I’d been selected. It was a complete surprise, and a big thanks to James [Chaudry, team captain] for taking a chance on me.”
Jayne – who works as a management consultant – started playing pickleball just over a year ago, having taken a long break from sport after hip surgery forced her to give up tennis and hockey.
“I was looking for something that still had that mix of competition, pace, and team feel but was a bit kinder to my injury-prone body. Pickleball ticked all the boxes. I got started through Pickleball Lambeth, playing in the Clapham and Brixton area, and was hooked straight away. It’s quick, tactical, and sociable with an amazing community around it.”
The league opened in July in Corby, and Jayne got to meet her team-mates for the first time. It’s a strong group that includes Chantal Griffiths, Alex Minogue-Stone, Millie Sharma and Tom Turney.
“Meeting the team properly for the first time was a real highlight – there was a great atmosphere across the weekend, and it was fun to see everyone in action. Playing mixed doubles with Tom Turney against Skechers was definitely a standout match for me. It went to three sets, with some epic rallies and big moments – thankfully all caught on the live stream!”
Jayne expects the Storm to go from strength to strength this season.
“We’ve got a really good team dynamic – everyone’s supportive, easy-going, and fun, but also ready to improve and compete. There’s a great mix of playing styles and personalities, which I think makes us a well-rounded team, and the more time we spend on the court together, the better we are going to get.
“We also have great support. James has been an awesome captain – obviously an incredible player, but also very generous with his time and advice. It’s been great to learn from him and get the chance to play alongside him. Mike and Maddie, our team owners, have also been amazing – sorting sponsorship, kit, and everything behind the scenes so we can just focus on playing. Bring on Bolton!”
Wallace has a special reason for looking forward to Match Weekend 2 at the Bolton Arena.
“This time round, I’m looking forward to playing with a bit more confidence. Now that I know what to expect, I’ll be more relaxed and able to fully enjoy it. It’s also being held at Bolton Arena, which is a familiar spot – I played plenty of tennis tournaments there growing up in Manchester, so it feels like a bit of a home venue.
“And for the first time, my mum and dad will be coming to watch me play, which makes it even better.”
