Event Format

To ensure that players get the most out of the event, we will be running a round robin format followed by a single elimination bracket. Each player will be guaranteed a minimum of 4 matches per event entered.

As we are looking to crown the English National champions at this event, entry is restricted to English and England resident players only.    

Please note the following: 

We allow pbE members that are resident in England 

We allow pbE members  that were born in England but not currently resident in England 

Because we are crowning the English Nationals champions we request that only English flags are present at the English Nationals.   

We want the competition to be:                                                                                                                                                                  
- Fair  (we have structured the competition with age breaks [18+, 35+ 50+, 60+ & 70+] and skill levels [3.0-, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+])
- Fun (getting to play competitively with players who all want to be there for fun should equal fun!)
- Transparent (clear rules; accessibility to the results and league tables)

If there are an insufficient number of entries within a single age/skill category (min 5), then categories will be combined at the Tournament Director's discretion although this is unlikely with the smaller number of brackets this year.  

The Junior event is for players aged from 8-13 years 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5+.  We will be pairing players up so that the event can be put onto our tournament software, so that the juniors can have the same tournament experience as the adults.

If there is an even number of  wheelchair players, we will partner up players so that the event can be put onto our tournament software as well.

Registration Fees

Registration fee is £35 and each event fee is £20, except for the Junior and Wheelchair events which will continue to be free.  The PRO events will be £40 as there will be prize money and knock out rounds will be best of 3 games. The Senior Pro events will be £35 as there will be lower prize money and knock out rounds will be best of 3 games.

IMPORTANT:

On registering, you will be sent a confirmation email confirming your entries as well as a special link back to the registration website (if it doesn't come through please check all junk folders before sending through an enquiry to let us know). This will take you to a players needing partners page where you must confirm your registered partners by sending a partner confirmation email. This means both you and your partner must be registered and then confirm your partnership to guarantee your entry as a doubles team into the event. If you have agreed a partnership in advance, you should follow the link in the email and click on the "Send Partner Request" icon next to the name of your proposed partner. They will receive an email asking them to confirm that they agree, and will be given the option to confirm yes/no. This automatically updates our system either way. In the event you don't have a partner and need to find one, you can use the "Contact" icon next to a player's name to start a conversation with them via email about potentially partnering up. If you have any queries or concerns you can send through an enquiry and we will do our best to get back to you ASAP!

Event Schedule

Event set up will be Wednesday 30th October and once all the courts have been marked out, nets and barriers in place, the courts can be used for recreational play until 945pm.

Accommodation and Travel

Hotels

Check out what rates Ultimate Travel Club can offer you https://www.pickleballengland.org/ultimate-travel-club/

Bolton Whites De Vere Hotel https://www.boltonwhiteshotel.co.uk/  We have an allocation of rooms at a special rate of £85 with breakfast for single occupancy and £95 with breakfast for double occupancy.  Call Reception 01204 673610 and let them know the dates you want to book for and quote the reference code (1280493) to get the Pickleball rates.

Premier Inn Bolton Arena/Stadium  https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-manchester/bolton/bolton-stadiumarena.html 

Premier Inn Bolton West Hotel https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-manchester/bolton/bolton-west.html

Travel

Car - Bolton Arena is located just off Junction 6 of the M61. Address is Arena Approach, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6LB.

Train - Horwich Parkway is a 2 min walk from Bolton Arena. It has direct links to Manchester Picadilly and 1 change journeys to various locations across the UK.

Plane - Manchester Airport is a 40 minute drive from Bolton Arena. It has direct domestic flights to and from London Heathrow and Southampton.

 

Volunteering

The 2024 English Nationals, like all pickleballEngland events is a volunteer run tournament. A lot of things are planned out in advance however it is always incredibly useful to have lots of pairs of hands, and feet on the ground in the build up to the event. If you are willing and available at any point from Wednesday evening thru Sunday even for a couple of hours then please send through an enquiry to let us know - it will be very much appreciated!!

Recreational Play

The Arena is booked 7am-10pm Thursday thru Sunday. Our planned tournament operation hours are 8:30am-6:30pm, so there are around 5 hours each day available for recreational play. All players who have registered for at least 1event will have access to the courts for rec play at all times. 

Tournament Venue & Food

Bolton Arena has capacity for up to 500 players per day and will have between 20-24 pickleball courts marked out for the event. There is ample room for seating at each end of each hall, as well as a gantry that can hold up to 200 people and balcony viewing. It has a cafe, which serves hot and cold food, as well as changing facilities, toilets and spaces to relax. Although there is a cafe within the arena, there are a multitude of other options within a 10 minute walk for food/drink.

Tournament Directors

Chris & Karen Mitchell, Frank Arico & Trevor Robinson

Tournament Terms & Conditions

By ticking the terms and conditions box in your registration form, you agree to the following:

"I release and discharge, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, the organizers, the facility, its members, employees, and sponsors and all persons associated with the tournament from all claims, damages, rights of action present or future which may arise in connection with my participation in the tournament. I understand that filming and photographs will be taken at this event and I give permission to pickleballEngland to use the creative content to advertise, promote or showcase the event. I understand that it is my responsibility to make it known that I do not wish to have my picture taken or my games filmed. Persons aged under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult."

 

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