Ramsgate pickleball player Heidi Pile repeated her medal heroics with gold at the 2024 Skechers English Nationals in Bolton.

The 31-year-old medalled in last year's edition of the national championships in the women's doubles 3.0 category and topped the podium once more alongside partner Kirsty Robinson at the University of Bolton Arena.

Having moved up to the 3.5 category for the 2024 edition, Pile was thrilled to see her efforts pay off.

“It feels amazing,” she said. “Me and my partner came last year, just to give it a go, and played in the 3.0 category and won gold there, so we thought we've got to come back and go up a level.

“I just really like it here. It's really friendly, really relaxed. There's no rushing around and it's such a good experience.”

Pickleball is a racket sport which sees players compete using paddles and a perforated plastic ball.

Played indoors and outdoors, it is a fast-growing sport across England and can be played by all ages and abilities - even on the same court.

The English Nationals comprised four days of high-level competition, with a record number of 1,111 pickleball players competing.

Pile added: “Me and my mum were playing badminton at our gym one day, and someone had left the pickleball stuff out and we thought we'd have a go.

“We haven't played badminton since and, from that, we joined our club's competitive night and we've just been playing it then. We play three or four times a week and we love it.

“It's a game, it's fun and just the amount of friends I've made from pickleball - 12 of us came up on a minibus and stayed in an Airbnb and we're all here, cheering each other on and feel like part of something.

“Everyone's so friendly and you all learn from each other and it's competitive but it's fun. It's the people you meet, as well.

“There's a good mix of ages, so it's really inclusive.”

Pickleball England announced a record number of more than 1,000 players were involved at the 2024 Skechers English Nationals. The tournament took place from October 31 until November 3 at Bolton Arena and is the second-largest national pickleball event.

Visit www.pickleballengland.org for more information.