And finally… pickleball bounces into Sheffield
What’s that? The opening of a sporting venue that isn’t padel? The conversion of a 6,000 sq ft warehouse on Newhall Road is underway and will be South Yorkshire’s first indoor centre for the sport.
Business owner Gina Floyd has been supported by Sheffield-based MD Law in acquiring a 10-year least on the unit, which is currently being converted into three Pickleball courts, a café, and toilets.
Located next to the Olympic Legacy Park and the English Institute of Sport, Peak Pickleball is in good company as the sport’s popularity grows, with organisers keen to have it included in the 2032 Olympic Games.
Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, the American sport is played with a paddle and a light plastic ball with holes on a similar sized court to a badminton court and can be played as singles or doubles.
The game was invented in 1965 by US Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell during a summer holiday with their families in Washington and named after the family’s dog, who was called Pickles.
Floyd said: “I first played Pickleball in the US and was impressed by the way it brings people of all ages, genders and abilities together.
“The sport is so inclusive and addictive, and I wanted to bring that spirit to Sheffield. The power it has to bring the community together is amazing.
“The facility will contribute positively to local sporting infrastructure, providing an accessible venue for a rapidly growing sport, whilst also serving as a hub for social interaction, physical well-being, and community engagement.”
