Meet the Sunderland Pickleball Panthers - and find out how you can try your hand at a new sport

Anyone looking to stay trim while having fun is welcome to try their hand at pickleball, with a new sports club launched in Sunderland.
Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson with some of her team. They are looking for new members of all ages and abilities.Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson with some of her team. They are looking for new members of all ages and abilities.
Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson with some of her team. They are looking for new members of all ages and abilities.

Pickleball is a sport combining tennis, badminton and table tennis. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a ball over a net on a badminton court.

It’s suitable for anyone, at any age or level of fitness, and is great for socialising too.

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The recently-formed Sunderland Pickleball Panthers is currently the only pickleball club in the area. Members have competed in many international tournaments.

Pickleball is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities.Pickleball is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities.
Pickleball is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities.

They meet and play weekly on the courts at the Beacon of Light.

The Panthers work closely with the Foundation of Light and are affiliated to Pickleball England, which promotes the sport.

Club co-ordinator and keen player Ann Johnson is keen to welcome new members of any age.

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Ann herself is 62, while her husband Stan, who has put himself forward as director for the North East for Pickleball England, is 63.

Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson has won her fair share of medals. But she says the emphasis is on enjoyment and wants to attract new members.Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson has won her fair share of medals. But she says the emphasis is on enjoyment and wants to attract new members.
Sunderland Pickleball Panthers' Ann Johnson has won her fair share of medals. But she says the emphasis is on enjoyment and wants to attract new members.

Ann told the Echo: “It’s big down south. Scotland has a big following and it’s in the Midlands too. For some reason it seems to have missed the North East.

“In the south of England there’s an England under-19 team. In the US it’s on the school curriculum.

“My hope is to hold a festival for people to come to from all over the county to come together. There was a big festival in Milton Keynes. There’s a huge swell of interest.

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“The whole point is that it can be played socially or at a competitive level. The beauty is that people any age can pick it up. It keeps them fit and active.

“This includes people who aren’t quite so mobile. There are wheelchair players too.

“The Beacon of Light are keen for us to use it. We’ve got the use of 12 courts, but at the moment the most people we get there is about 15. London has 80 members.”

There are two sessions per week. The first is each Monday, 8pm to 10pm, while the second is each Tuesday, 1pm to 3pm.

Each session costs £5, with the first session free.

For more information, visit www.sunderlandpickleballpanthers.org, or call Ann on 07432824368.

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