Cathy Skea played a starring role in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Dietician Skea, 44, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“We struggle in Northern Ireland to get court availability, so hopefully when they see this in other places it’ll try and bring the sport on there as well,” said Belfast's Skea.

“Pickleball is great physically and mentally, it’s got all the positive attributes towards sport where anybody can do it, which is great.

“I’d absolutely recommend it as a dietician, not just from a weight point of view but from a physical and mental health point of view.

“It’s all great if we do some form of exercise.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“Badminton and hockey were my two sports and I happened to be in a leisure centre one day and they were starting up to play pickleball,” added Skea.

“The coaches asked me if I wanted to have a go at it and I was hooked straight away.

“Clearly from coming to this competition, it’s obvious that the sport is really expanding, which is so great to see.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org