Thé Board of Directors European Pickleball Federation

Lenka Mišičková

Where are you from ?
Hradec nad Moravicí, The Czech Republic

When did you start pickleball and how did you get involved ?
My friend John Vlček, Ontario, Canada Pickleball Champion with his wife Rebecca invited me to his home to Windsor, Canada and showed me pickleball training there too. It was during the Summer 2015…Then I started with the training in my country and brought pickleball to thé Czech Republic.

What Is your favorite subject within EPF? I would like to help to show and widespread pickleball in Central and Eastern Europe and because I am a trainer and would like to help with pickleball practice and education.

Why do you like to play pickleball ?
When I was younger I was the Champion of the Czech Republic in Table Tennis. Pickleball strategy, especially in doubles Is very similar to ping pong and the main reasons why I love pickleball are:

• I play for fun and for friendship.
  
• This game Is for people of all ages ( kids, adults, seniors ).
  
• And finally lovely people: I love the pickleball community, and many very good players all around the world belong to my pickleball family…that is great!
  

Who is your favorite pickleball player and why?
All my pickleball partners from all over the world -
Leonardo Gonzalez
Gema Garcia – Spain
Elaine Shallcross
Thaddea Lock – England
Atul Edward – India
Tuomo Antikainen
Tiina Peltonen – Finland
Jang Evans, Graingsank Sirikong
Arrirat Noonyod – Thailand
Jason Russo
Katherine Cantrell Holmquist
Rosti Sobek
Lucy Kitcher – USA, etc


Cyril Dirand

Where are you from ?
France

How old are you ?
41 years old

When did you start pickleball and how did you get involved ?
I have been playing pickleball for 5 years. I am a board member at Pickleball France and the president of Pickleball France – Pays de Fayence as well as in charge of its teaching program.
I started by chance and for the love of racquet sports.

What is your favorite subject within the EPF ?
Communication and teaching

Why do you like to play pickleball ?
Pickleball is a racquet sport that accepts everybody (without taking into consideration their gender, age or social aspects) In leisure or competition, it's a family, it's a way of thinking… It's my passion.

Who is your favourite pickleball player and why ?
Irina Tereschenko she represents the fun and the professionalism in our sport

Leonardo Gonzalez

Where are you from ?
From La palma Canary Islands, but been in the Uk for 25 years…

How old are you ?
Age 26 LOL I wish… 46 years old

When did you start pickleball and how did you get involved ?
I started playing pickleball 5 years ago. Friends in Palm Springs just told me to play and I didn’t like the name at the beginning. And they tried to convince me that I will love it.....and I didn't believe that for a couple of months LoL

What is your favorite subject within the EPF ?
I love the team and love to be part of growing Pickleball around Europe and the rest of the world ????

Why do you like to play pickleball ?
It is the happiest sport ever. And I love ❤️ the people too

Who is your favourite pickleball player and why ?
Irina Tereschenko Pickleball , fun-loving and talented player, been with her in Spain, Italy and France and I have met the wonderful person inside out.
Kyle Yates Pickleball, I have met him as well, in the Usa, Spain, Netherlands and just a great man. But the time I saw him in France playing with the young kids and having fun with them he opened my eyes to the fact that he is a great sportsman with a big heart ❤️

Mattias Lassfolk

Where are you from ?
From Finland originally and currently residing in France, I am a dual citizen of both countries.

How old are you ?
27 years old

When did you start pickleball and how did you get involved ?
I started in 2015 because my then boss would not stop talking about pickleball, finally I agreed to trying it and have not looked back ever since

What is your favorite subject within the EPF ?
Tournaments and helping make the sport be taken more seriously as a competitive discipline.

Why do you like to play pickleball ?
Pickleball has allowed me to be bitten by the competitive bug once again after stopping other sports. The best part is how easy it is to start and improve, and how challenging it is to finally master.

Who is your favourite pickleball player and why ?
My favourite player is Riley Newman, as i consider him the best defensive player right now and i also play a very defensive game, leaving it all on the court to get that last ball back that your opponent already thought was a winner.

David Mazzucco

Where are you from ?
Glasgow, Scotland

How old are you ?
57

When did you start pickleball and how did you get involved ?
Started plying 18 months ago when I was recovering from a calf injury I got while playing tennis.

What is your favorite subject within the EPF ?
Growing PB in Europe and getting as many people playing as possible regardless of age or ability

Why do you like to play pickleball ?
I like the cut and thrust of the game, from dinks to drives. It also is very sociable (COVID permitted) and helps keep fit.

Who is your favourite pickleball player and why ?
Mathias Lassfolk as he has the longest beard in pickleball
 

28.02.2021 @ 16:04