Fifty-something from York realises England dream playing pickleball

Yorkshire-born pickleball player Nathan Hill says it was a “dream come true” to be selected to play for England in their recent European competition – and win a silver medal to boot.

Just three years after taking up the indoor tennis-hybrid, Hill, 53, from York, was part of England’s senior squad that went to Rome for the European Pickleball Championships in September.

On serve: Nathan Hill of York playing pickleball, the sport in which he represented England aged 53.

placeholder image — On serve: Nathan Hill of York playing pickleball, the sport in which he represented England aged 53.

Competing against 30 other nations, it was Spain who took gold, as Hill and his team celebrated silver.

“It was probably my proudest moment in my journey within this sport,” he said.

Nathan Hill at the European Pickleball Championships in Rome.

“Every moment of every day I was working towards the goal of one day playing for England so to get selected, it just really shows my hard work has paid off.”

Pickleball is a sport described as a hybrid between tennis, badminton and squash.

Made popular in the United States, it has now taken off in the UK, with players like Hill being given the opportunity to turn professional.

“I was an aging squash player and my dad who was a pickleball coach in the US suggested the sport to me,” said Hill. “Three years ago, I finally made the switch and just really enjoyed it.

"So I began to train and play all the time which eventually allowed me to improve and get into these European tournaments.”

Hill says he has really benefitted from playing the game helping him be “the fittest and most confident that I've ever been”, adding that he would encourage people as it helps with your mental health and getting out and meeting different people.

Last weekend, Hill was one of 20 players from Yorkshire and 1,300 in total competing in the England Nationals.

He said: “I always look forward to a competition like this, I really love to play at this level because I'm just such a competitive person, but the bottom line is I look forward to seeing some of my friends.”

Hill praised the John Charles Centre in Leeds and the newly- renovated Pickleball Shed in York as top facilities for the game.

“I hope to bring new people into the game locally through these places and get people playing, maybe to the next level like I did,” said Hill.