A Remarkable Story

By Mark Dowdney

Two years ago Elmbridge u3a member Gary Sellwood could hardly walk.

He was in so much back pain that he had to give up his favourite hobby of playing pickleball and hobble around on a stick.

“I was in absolute agony,” he recalls.  “I couldn’t even stand in a queue for a coffee.”

Now, after a back operation by a surgeon recommended by a friend and a remarkable recovery, Gary and fellow Elmbridge u3a friend Danny Schneiderman have just won gold at the English Open Pickleball Tournament, which this year attracted more than 3,300 players from 56 countries, making it the largest indoor pickleball tournament in the world.

The pair came out tops in the hotly-contested Men’s 65-plus age group.

“Each match was tough, with some amazing rallies,” said Danny.  “In the semi-finals we came back from 7-0 down.  That win was ridiculous.  I thought we were dead and buried.”

But by sheer grit and determination and concentrating on one point at a time, they emerged victorious, even winning the best-of-three final in just two games.

“We were absolutely buzzing after the final,” said Gary.  “It was one of the best feelings in life.  Unfortunately Danny just got married recently because he was so excited I think he would have proposed to me!”

Danny added: ”I am still pinching myself. It feels like an out-of-body experience. And it was especially great to be able to celebrate with our friends from Elmbridge who travelled to the tournament in Birmingham with us.

One of them said this was the greatest sporting achievement he had witnessed.  Happy days.”

Both men paid tribute to the help and support they have received from Elmbridge u3a’s thriving pickleball community.  Founded by members Cliff and Jane Clifford, it has grown into a substantial organisation with over 250 members playing the game every week at venues across the borough, from Cobham to Hersham, and Walton-on-Thames.

Invented originally in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the United States, it’s popularity has soared in recent years across the globe.

Now more than 24 million Americans of all ages play and it has been one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

Played on a small court roughly half the size of a tennis court over a low net with a perforated plastic ball amusingly called a whiffle ball and hard bats like larger table tennis bats, pickleball is ideal for u3a members.

“It’s easy to play, the rules are simple, and it’s a great way for older people to keep fit,” explained Elmbridge u3a chairman Nigel Cudby.

“It’s all about having fun, lots of laughter, and making new friends.  It ticks all the boxes for us and that is why we are so delighted for Gary and Danny.

“Theirs is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud that the gold medal has been awarded to two of our brilliant members.”

Building on their success, the pair are hoping an inter-u3a league can be set up, so more good players can enjoy the pleasure – and pressure – of tournament fixtures.