Quitting my job for Pickleball

As I sit here reflecting on my time at The English Open 2023 and looking to the future, I feel so privileged to be a part of a sport that brings so much joy to so many lives.  Pickleball has a sense of inclusivity like nothing else I have ever experienced in my life.  It is a space where I feel I can be totally myself, without judgement, on my good and bad days (and there are plenty of these!).  A space that brings together fun, energy, excitement, fitness, a space where people from totally different backgrounds, demographics and ages, become family. 

For a while now I’ve been combining my full-time job in event management, currently at Wimbledon, previously running the International Tennis Event in Eastbourne, whilst trying to be a pickleball athlete, coach and ambassador.  Whilst I love my job, at times trying to juggle the two has been very challenging and I’ve found myself frustrated at not being able to give more to the sport I love. 

I’m not always the biggest risk taker but I have been known in the past to take risks to follow my dreams and things I believe in. 

Pickleball is something I really believe in.  There have been moments in the past where I’ve thought – could I move into the pickleball space full-time? But maybe not had the confidence in my own convictions. 

Something changed at English Open. 

We are only held back by the parameters we put on ourselves.  The nagging little voice in my head telling me to take a chance kept getting louder and I’ve finally decided to give in to it. 

I don’t know where this journey will take me but I know I have a lot of dreams and things I want to achieve within pickleball. 

I invite you to come on this journey with me, to share not only my story but the stories of so many others who’s lives have been changed by pickleball. 

Let’s Go! 0-0-2