Ramsgate youngster William Maclean-Bell, is revving up to represent Canterbury Area Pickleball club in the Pickleball English Open.
The event is taking place at the Telford International Centre, Telford from August 3-6.
The tournament will have more than 1000 athletes from 30 different countries compete in a number of events over the weekend.
William,10, has been unertaking many hours of training after school and during the weekends ready to compete in largest tournament outside of North America. As one of the youngest competitors in the tournament William will enjoy some strong national and international competition.
Earlier this year William received international advocate sponsorship from American Pickleball Sport company Selkirk.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, it was introduced to Kent in 2014 by Williams parents.
The youngster has always enjoyed playing so entering the youth event in the tournament was a natural progression for William who will be competing on Sunday 6th August.
He said: “I am excited to be heading to Telford and being part of this tournament, there will be some amazing Pickleball players there and I can’t wait to play in the youth event.2
The event is being run by Pickleball England and sponsored by Pickleball footwear brand Skechers. It has attracted a cohort of Pro players who will fly in from the USA to compete in the pro event.
In recent months tennis legends John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang and Andre Agassi went head to head in Las Vegas in a Pickleball event that attracted millions of viewers.
Pickleball is a hybrid of tennis, table tennis and badminton which is attractive due to its accessibility and can be played both indoors and outdoors.