Why do players love pickleball so much?

It's a sport that is seemingly taking over, with enough active players nationally to fill Manchester City's 55,000-capacity Etihad Stadium.

Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is billed as an accessible game for all ages and abilities.

Played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court, it is a social sport that a national bronze medallist says is "huge for mental health".

Up to four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a modified tennis net.

The sport, invented in 1965 in Washington state, has exploded in recent years.

Professional leagues and tournaments are emerging in countries including Canada, Australia, the UK, and across Europe and Asia.

England has seen exponential growth with a significant increase in players, and the game is now played in up to 1,100 venues.

Suffolk Punch Pickleball club, which formed in August last year, plays in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe.

Originally there were just 12 players, but the club now has more than 250 members, ranging from teenagers to those in their 70s.

What do they love about the sport?

Formed by Pickleball England volunteer Christina Barham, the club is inclusive and aims to ensure no-one feels left out.

"First and foremost, there are loads of smiling faces. It's a fun, addictive, accessible and easy sport to play," she says.

"When I started playing, I had a back injury, but that didn't even prevent me from playing.

"It's a great sport for those who aren't entirely mobile. There is all ages; people who've had hip operations; bigger people."

She first learnt the sport in Florida from an 83-year-old teacher.

"Pickleball has taken off. There's about 55,000 people in the UK playing it; it's the largest-growing sport in the western world," she says.

"In America, they've got hundreds of free courts, so we're still a little bit behind but we're definitely getting there."

While there are many new clubs around the UK, she says some members turn up alone.

"The community is so welcoming: new players every single week and they keep coming back."

Helen only started pickleball a year ago but now plays up to six days a week.

"This week alone, I've been to Stratford, Colchester, and now Woodbridge today," she says.

"I'll go anywhere to play pickleball, and I'm completely addicted. It is my life, sadly.

"It's always so good natured and although there are rivalries, it's always well mannered."

Teacher by day, pickleball player by night, Sophie Maitland has taken her game to the next level and won bronze in the women's doubles at the national championship this year.

"We medalled and we are chuffed," she says.

She has found some of the best players on the court are the older ones who "really surprise you".

"There are many smiling faces, and it is a sport for everyone. You walk on a court with 70-year-olds and you think, 'We've got this' and then get run around!

"It's the best decision I ever made, to start playing. I got an injury in our medal match and it's been really tough not playing.

"I'm a teacher; it's a hard job. Playing is a release and it's huge for mental health."

Before taking up pickleball, Sonia Talbot, 52, played table tennis, rounders and badminton.

"It's great fun," she says. "Pickleball gives me a smile. I don't take it too seriously, because you then will start losing.

"It's the social side of it, too; it's a great chance for us to get together. It's really good for fitness; hand-eye coordination. I would totally recommend it".

While some people have been playing for years, 74-year-old Steve, who has moved to Suffolk from Kent, has been playing for just eight weeks.

"It's a great place to come to meet new people and get fit. I am loving it," he says.

"The key is concentration. There are some fantastic players here, so I just try to learn from them, even though I move a little bit gingerly!"

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