A couple from Old Sarum who play a unique sport have won gold in a national championship after just five months of playing.

Alice Millard and Mark Jackson took part in the English Open Pickleball Championships in Telford, taking home a gold medal after a weekend of intense competition.

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and the event, held over the weekend of August 8 - August 14, saw over 2,000 participants from 43 different countries gather to compete.

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The English Open is the biggest Pickleball tournament in Europe, attracting top talent from around the globe. 

Pictured: Alice Millard (left) and Mark Jackson (right) (Image: Newsquest)

Mark said: “We have never played any racket sports before, and since March this year, we have been working hard towards this years Open

“We went and attended lots of evenings with the 1st New Forest Pickleball Club in Downton, and we got hooked. Within 20 minutes of playing, you will be having a lot of fun, and you can quickly improve with the correct coaching, we have met some great people along the way”.

Pickleball is currently the most played sport in the United States, largely due to its accessibility to a wide range of age groups. The sport’s rapid growth has sparked discussions about its inclusion in future Olympic Games.