Jack Butterfield starred in an historic week for pickleball at a record-breaking Skechers English OPEN.

Butterfield, 27, who works for Pure Racket Sport, featured in the English Open at the Telford International Centre – the largest pickleball event taking place outside of North America.

With ages from 7 to 70+ competing, the event is reflective of the incredible growth in pickleball over recent years, with a record number of almost 2,000 players from 42 countries participating in a sport which has aspirations of making the Olympic programme.

“For me, the nicest thing about it is everyone gets along, there’s a really nice social side to it,” said Farnham's Butterfield.

“I think in tennis there’s a lot bickering, but in pickleball you don’t get that.

“Having almost 2,000 people here is amazing for the sport and for everyone else as well because everyone is getting along, there’s no arguments, we’re just having fun.”

This year’s English OPEN comprised seven days of high-level competition, with the world’s top professionals from America, Europe and Asia taking to the court in singles, doubles, mixed, wheelchair and junior events.

A hybrid of tennis, badminton & table tennis, the sport’s popularity has been attributed to its accessibility. Easy to pick up and fun to play, the sport’s accessibility transcends demographics, providing it with universal appeal.

“I’m a member at David Lloyd in Farnham and I always played tennis there, and then a friend, Rob Williams, said: ‘why don’t you come play some pickleball?’” added Butterfield.

“That was about two-and-a-half years ago and I wasn’t sure about it, but I went along, thought it was quite good, I enjoyed it and thought I should try it again, so I went two or three more times and then I got hooked.

“Now I play two or three times a week in Farnham, in Basingstoke etc and I really enjoy it.”

Pickleball England has announced a record number of players competing at this year’s English OPEN from the 8th-14th August at the Telford International Centre in the largest pickleball event taking place outside of the USA EVER – visit pickleballengland.org