Sawbridgeworth pickleball player Mollie Knaggs helps England become European champions

Sawbridgeworth’s Mollie Knaggs helped her nation triumph at the inaugural DUPR European Pickleball Championships.

Held in Southampton, the tournament saw England emerge victorious as the sport’s first European champions.

And Knaggs, who competed alongside Thaddea Lock in the women’s doubles open, played her part as the 12-strong squad showcased the best of English pickleball on the south coast.

“It was so amazing to play in front of a home crowd like that,” said team-mate Lock.

“It’s probably the most atmosphere I’ve played a match with and I just want to say thank you so much to everyone for staying and watching and supporting.

“That support helps us on the court and it was super fun to be a part of.”

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport in Europe having first started in the US in the 1960s. It is a hybrid racket sport that is popular for its accessibility for all ages and abilities.

The European Championships saw players compete in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles across both the open and senior categories.

Individual medals were on offer in each of the disciplines, with the medal tallies added up to crown England the overall champions.

Find out more information about the European Pickleball Championships by visiting www.europeanpickleballfederation.org.