A Solihull teenager who netted a silver medal at a national competition has set up one of the country’s first school pickleball clubs.
At the age of 16 Aaron Naik became the youngest semi-finalist in the 18s men’s doubles category at the game’s England Nationals event, in Bolton last year alongside his partner Stephen Hargreaves.
The teen had only begun playing the revolutionary racquet game, the world’s fastest-growing sport, just a few months prior at David Lloyd gym.
His coach, Fathi Seliman, encouraged him to join competitive events and Aaron was entered into the international tournament, in the over 18s men’s category, aged just 15.
Aaron may have returned home empty-handed, but the experience made him all the more determined to win a medal in the next major tournament.
Aaron, who has since qualified as a trainer through the Pickleball Leaders Programme, has set up a lunchtime Pickleball club with the help of his teachers at Bablake School in Coventry.
Headteacher, Andrew Wright, said: “We were very proud to hear about Aaron’s ongoing success in the sport and so pleased when he was able to help set up a club.
“As far as I know, we are one of the first schools in the UK to offer Pickleball and the take up has been impressive.”
Its fast-growing popularity has prompted the trio to plan a series of local inter-school Pickleball tournaments along with Bablake’s sister school King Henry XIII.
Aaron says: “I want to play a role in growing the sport as an ambassador or promoter. I’d like to see it become more widely recognised, especially in the UK.”
True to his word, Aaron is now a youth ambassador for both national governing body Pickleball England and for the sport at David Lloyd Solihull Cranmore.
He is working with both to help promote the sport via schools nationwide and through regular tournaments at his local gym.
Aaron explains the wider impact of the sport on his wellbeing: “It has taught me a lot about mental resilience.
“In the past, especially during the English Open, I’d let even a small deficit make me give up mentally, which left me frustrated and disappointed.
“Pickleball has pushed me to adopt an ‘it’s not over until it’s over’ mindset. This shift has helped me not just in matches but in other areas of my life too.”
Pickleball is described as a cross between badminton, tennis and ping-pong, and considered less intense, while the use of paddles and a lightweight perforated ball, a smaller court and simpler rules make the low-impact sport accessible to a wide demographic.
Aaron adds: “Pickleball has made me think about sport in a different way. I’ve loved racquet sports ever since I started playing tennis at age nine, but pickleball has a unique charm. It’s incredibly accessible—anyone, regardless of age or sporting background, can pick it up and play well.”
Despite its soaring popularity in America, Pickleball has not been tabled for Olympic consideration since sports must meet strict criterion set by the International Olympic Committee, including around global participation.
But that hasn’t stopped Aaron dreaming big.
He said: “I want to keep competing and improving, with my ultimate dream being to represent Team GB if Pickleball ever makes it to the Olympics. For that to happen, we need sporting bodies worldwide to champion the sport and help it reach its full potential. Until then, I’ll keep doing my part to raise its profile and push myself to new heights.”
