Congratulations RRPC Azure in coming 6th in the EPL National Finals 2026
Huge congratulations to our team Azure – Colin Dow, Andy Gould, Steve Savage, Sarah Verdin (captain) and Vanessa Wait – who on Saturday 4th July came 6th in the England Pickleball League (EPL) finals where the top 16 club teams from across England competed for the title of Pickleball England National Champions.
This culminated after nine months of league matches with over 2,500 players, 300 teams, 12 local leagues and 4 regional play-offs.
On the day our team fought their way through the group stages to the knockouts where they very narrowly missed out on 5th place.
A truly magnificent performance from our team who can rightly lay claim to be the 6th best club team in England and I for one am very proud of their success and the way they have represented RRPC throughout the season.
RRPC Azure team are going to the National Finals
Having qualified through the South East Pickleball League, RRPC Azure won the play offs to qualify for the National Finals next month. A fantastic performance from the team, Colin Dow, Steve Savage, Sarah Verdin and Vanessa Wait. It’s been a long hard season to get them where they are and many congratulations to them.
Congratulations
RRPC Charity Support for 2026
There were 7 Charities nominated and after much discussion, the Committee have decided that the Charity for this year will be Power of Parenting.
Power of Parenting is based in Ascot and support foster children in RBWM, Bracknell and Wokingham.
We will also be doing a food collection for The Hope Hub
RRPC Charities SummaryJune – Collection of essentials for The Hope Hub
6th November Quiz Night for charity – Power of Parenting
For more details of the 2026 Supported Charities click here
SEPL Round 8
Congratulations to RRPC Azure (Vanessa, Sarah, Andy, Steve & Substitute Hans) who finished top of Division 2 and qualify for Regional Play Offs on 20th June, where 2 of the 8 teams will qualify for the remaining 2 places available for SE clubs to go to the National Finals. Blue (Cath, Elaine, Keith & Russell) finished 4th in Division 4 and Cobalt (Adam, Nicky, Debbie & Stephen) finished 2nd in Division 6.
Congratulations
Kings of the Quiz
Adam Jefferson and Paul Heagren were part of a winning team at the Lightwater Quiz hosted by RRPC’s own Quiz Master Andrew Newman.
Don’t forget to put RRPC’s annual Quiz in your diary (6th November 2026) where you can challenge yourselves to answer questions set by Andrew Newman, whilst supporting the club’s chosen charity for 2026.
SEPL Round 7
A tough day at SEPL in round 7 with Azure not being able to field an eligible team and all three teams going down.
English Nationals Bolton 29th Oct 29-1st Nov 2026
There will be far more demand than availability so pre-registration will be opening within the next few weeks to establish demand. If interested in attending then start talking to partners so you are prepared.
Congratulations
You nominated Ian Watson for the Frank Arico Trophy
Ian is the well deserved winner of this award. He goes above and beyond his role of Club Captain, leading SEPL players and representing RRPC’s voice in SEPL. Here are just a few reasons why you nominated him:
- Ian is one of the few players that knows virtually all members of RRPC. From those first applying to RRPC, through social sessions, training sessions, intermediate sessions to serious league/competitive players.
- In addition to leading 2 weekly sessions, he regularly provides coaching and runs introductory sessions for non-members.
- Ian has listened to members and has been instrumental in getting club sessions/payment processes changed.
- Ian has had significant involvement in activities like the 10 year anniversary celebration, organising club holidays and encouraging players to take part in the English Open.
- Whilst managing so many moving parts Ian remains a very likeable and respected person.