A GAME invented in the United States more than half a century ago, but which only really took off in this country during the pandemic — the curiously named pickleball — has seen players from the Isle of Wight win medals at the English Open Pickleball International.

Nine pickleball players from the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, Freshwater, took part in the event, held at The David Lloyd Centre, Southampton, held over six days recently.

The successful players came away with nine medals in total, which comprised gold, two silver and six bronze.

"This was a fantastic achievement, considering this was the biggest tournament in Europe, with nearly 500 entrants and 24 countries participating," said a spokesperson for the West Wight Sports and Community Centre.

"There was great camaraderie and support from each of the players during the matches — cheering each other on."

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Christian Meredith, Tom Turney, Steve Thompson and Ed Turney took part in the men's doubles 19-50 level 4. Christian and Tom won bronze.From left: Christian Meredith, Tom Turney, Steve Thompson and Ed Turney took part in the men's doubles 19-50 level 4. Christian and Tom won bronze.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sarah Howell and Tom Turney, who won bronze in the mixed doubles 19-50 level 4.Sarah Howell and Tom Turney, who won bronze in the mixed doubles 19-50 level 4.

Isle of Wight County Press: Tom and Ed Turney, who won gold and silver respectively in the men's 19-50 level 4.Tom and Ed Turney, who won gold and silver respectively in the men's 19-50 level 4.

In case you do not have the foggiest what pickleball is, it is essentially a mash-up of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and can be played by singles or in pairs, either indoors or outside, using paddles made of wood or composite materials.

The aim, like many racquet sports, is to get the ball — in this case, a perforated polymer ball, similar to the type used in 'wiffle ball', a variation of baseball — over the net and prevent your opponent from hitting it back.

Learning some of the lingo could initially leave you in a pickle, but the essential terms appear to be 'the kitchen', which refers to the no-volley zone, while 'dinking' is a soft shot that sends the other player scrambling towards the net to reach the ball in time.

Pickleball has become increasingly popular at the sports centre for people of all ages. 

The game was invented in 1965 by United States congressman, Joel Pritchard, and his chum, Bill Bell, during a summer holiday, in an attempt to entertain bored children using whatever equipment came to hand.

A decade later, the first official pickleball tournament was held.