William Maclean-Bell, a young talent hailing from Ramsgate, in the United Kingdom county of Kent, is gearing up to represent the Canterbury Area Pickleball club in the highly anticipated English Open.
An Exciting Showcase
The prestigious event will be held at the Telford International Centre, Telford, from August 3 to 6.
This tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of pickleball talent, with over 1,000 athletes from 30 different countries competing in various events throughout the weekend.
Despite being just 10 years old, William has dedicated numerous hours to rigorous training after school and on weekends to prepare himself for this major competition, which happens to be the largest tournament outside of North America.
As one of the youngest participants in the tournament, William will face formidable opponents from national and international backgrounds, making the challenge even more thrilling. Earlier this year, William received sponsorship support from the renowned American pickleball sport company, Selkirk, a testament to his skills and potential.
2 weeks until Gender Doubles Day – there is a whopping 888 player count for events on Saturday 5th August!#englishopen2023#jointhepickleballmovement pic.twitter.com/yBJCmbhQX4
— Pickleball England (@pbEKaren) July 22, 2023
Quickly Became A Passion
Pickleball was introduced to Kent in 2014 by William’s parents, and it quickly became a passion for the young athlete. Entering the youth event in this tournament was a natural progression for him, and he is eagerly looking forward to competing on Sunday, August 6.
William expressed his excitement about being a part of this prestigious event, and he is especially thrilled about the opportunity to showcase his pickleball prowess alongside some incredible players.
“I am excited to be heading to Telford and being part of this tournament, there will be some amazing Pickleball players there and I can’t wait to play in the youth event.”
10-year-old William Maclean-Bell on playing in the English Open
The tournament is being organized by Pickleball England and sponsored by the well-known Pickleball footwear brand, Skechers. Moreover, it has attracted a host of professional players who will fly in from the USA to compete in the pro event, adding to the overall excitement and competitiveness of the event.
Read more about Skechers and their involvement in the English Open in this article.
