The Bandeja Magazine Issue 2

Feature: GB seniors
Squad members Rosie Connell
& Heather Sheridan in action.
Squad members (L to R) Steph Trill,
Elspeth Edwards, Sally Bickerton
& Kate Hands changing ends.
Sally Fisher
Audrey Henderson
Our squad is more like a family, everyone
“
supports, encourages and inspires each
other to be better. There’s a great camaraderie
and we have good fun when the whole squad
is together.
”
Steph Trill
She is supported in running the
‘vets’ by assistant manager Anthea
Hunt, coach/player/vice captain
Libby Fletcher and national coach
Nigel Garton. They have a busy few
months ahead, with five international
fixtures and an all-squad training
camp amongst their commitments.
For 2023 the team, which is
sponsored by PadelShack, is
concentrating on building matchplay
and international experience. Their
first tournament will see a squad of
10 compete in the inaugural Nations
Cup invitational tournament against
the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany,
Belgium and Spain in Amsterdam
in February. Sally sees this as vital
exposure to international-level play
for many of the squad.
Players are also focusing on
participating in the LTA and HOP
tournament calendars, with the first
British Super Seniors Home Nations
championship planned for March
at We Are Padel, Derby. Men’s and
women’s teams from England,
Scotland, Wales and Ireland will
compete in the over 50s, over 55s
and over 60s categories - the first
time this last category has been
open to women.
The success of this world-class team
proves that it really is never too late
whatever your age, so if you are aged
40 years+, regularly compete to a
good standard (LTA Grade 1) and
are interested in being part of the
squad contact GB Seniors Padel
via gb_seniors_padel •
Jo Ward
Libby Fletcher -
squad captain, coach
& selector.
WINTER 2023
21