Senior Pickleball Tips

Paddy Hunter-Murphy

This podcast focuses on senior pickleball players and supports them on their pickleball journey. Whether they are a total beginner or a 4.0 rating, we help them both improve their game and help them maximize on their whole pickleball experience. In this podcast Paddy educates, informs and entertains his senior 'pickleball friends' as he goes through each shot in some detail, but there are also interviews and guest appearances to mix things up a bit.

  1. 31 JAN

    Meet Karen Mitchell, Co-Founder and Chair of Pickleball England

    Karen Mitchell is an absolute star in regard to pickleball in England, and indeed throughout the UK. After starting to play the sport (beware putting your bins out in sleepy Sussex villages!!) she saw the need, together with Frank Arico, to organise pickleball in the country. So they started Pickleball England in 2018 to promote the sport, organised a tournament (with about 320 players) and, as they say, the rest is history. The last English Open (largest tournament outside North America) had 2,350 players - with senior categories in 5-year cohorts from 60+ upwards (Paddy played in the 65+ category in all three events). Hear how the sport is growing in the UK - thanks partly to Karen's efforts - and her views on global growth of the sport. Karen and her colleagues had their greatest victory when they won the right to be the National Governing Body - beating the (English) Lawn Tennis Association in that contest (yes that's right, the folks who organise Wimbledon every year and have millions £££££ !!!) - by putting together a petition of pickleball players (yes, Paddy did sign it!).  Learn about Karen's own pickleball story and about the army of volunteers who are the life-blood of the sport in the UK - including her husband Chris - who work tirelessly behind the scenes. If you live in the UK - PLEASE JOIN YOUR NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY (no cost) - it is important that together we support our pickleball and have a strong voice over the sport. Join Pickleball England here   https://www.pickleballengland.org/individual-membership/ If you live in Scotland join here   https://pickleballscotland.org/ If you live in Wales join here https://www.pickleballwales.org/ If you live in Ireland (incl NI) join here https://pickleballireland.ie/   Check out our website here https://www.seniorpickleballtips.com

    22 min
  2. 16/12/2025

    Interview with Karen Thomas, Marketing Director, US Senior Pickleball

    In this episode Paddy meets Karen Thomas from Seattle, who came to the sport 10 years ago (through her mother!), was the head of marketing at Pickleball Central for some time and is now the Marketing Director at US Senior Pickleball.  They chat about everything pickleball - including the growth of indoor facilities in the States, the costs of membership and playing, the continual growth still of seniors playing the sport and the importance of spreading the message to as many seniors as possible to consider pickleball as part of their own on-going health and wellbeing. Paddy even mentions his pickle-related coffee mug! Karen explains what USSP is all about and what members can get for only $20/year (see notes below for more details) and her call-out for more USSP Ambassadors to spread the word - if you're interested contact Karen direct at USSP. So if you know of any seniors wanting a great new activity to make sure they 'use it, not lose it' - then get them to contact USSP https://seniorpickleballtips.com https://usseniorpickleball.com/     A US Senior Pickleball (USSP) membership costs $20 per year. USSP is a non-profit organization focused on providing affordable tournaments and a dedicated circuit for senior pickleball players.    Membership Benefits As a member of the US Senior Pickleball organization, you gain access to a dedicated community and specific benefits tailored for senior players: Affordable Tournaments: Access to low-cost tournaments designed specifically for age and skill groups within the senior demographic. Dedicated Circuit: Participation in a national circuit of events for seniors who want to compete. Community Focus: The organization is run by seniors for seniors, ensuring the events and structure meet the needs of its members.    How to Join To become a member and support the largest senior circuit, you will need to register via the official website. You can find information on joining the organization and registering for events on the US Senior Pickleball official website. https://usseniorpickleball.com/  The membership is a great way to stay active, compete, and connect with other senior pickleball enthusiasts

    31 min

About

This podcast focuses on senior pickleball players and supports them on their pickleball journey. Whether they are a total beginner or a 4.0 rating, we help them both improve their game and help them maximize on their whole pickleball experience. In this podcast Paddy educates, informs and entertains his senior 'pickleball friends' as he goes through each shot in some detail, but there are also interviews and guest appearances to mix things up a bit.

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