A group of British referees gained their latest qualifications this week – including a trailblazer from Wales.
Beki Byron is the first person in Wales to qualify as a Level One EPF referee.
She first encountered the sport in August 2021, at a session in Beaumaris, north Wales – and was quickly hooked, she tells Pickleball 52.
And after deciding to pursue refereeing, she knuckled down to some very hard work.
“The lessons were online and we had homework to do every week with tight timescales and exacting standards,” she says. “We were each supported by a mentor and mine, Barbara, was so patient.
“After the online sessions we had a full [in-person] weekend, which was also intense, as we were all given chances to practise for the assessment on Sunday. There was great camaraderie amongst all the trainees who supported each other throughout. We were also supported by volunteers who came and played the games for us to referee.
“The standards were very high, which makes me even more proud that I passed.”
Beki doesn’t have any tournaments booked in immediately – but she’s hoping to be involved at the Welsh Nationals and the English Open in some capacity.
Llongyfarchiadau to Beki and all those who passed!
