by Scott Mayo

There is something fitting about Wrexham at the moment. A town riding momentum, fuelled by belief, with Wrexham A.F.C. climbing the leagues and daring to look further ahead than anyone might have expected a few years ago.

Just outside the town, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct stretches across the valley, a structure built on ambition and precision, carrying weight across what once seemed an impossible gap. It is hard not to draw comparisons with where pickleball in Wales currently finds itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 Welsh Nationals saw participation rise by around 30 percent, with younger players and new faces stepping onto the courts
  • Ben Stucbury emerged as a standout performer, coming from a game down to defeat defending champion Scott Mayo in the Men’s 15+ 4.0+ singles final
  • The event underlined Wales’s growing presence in the UK pickleball landscape, driven by grassroots commitment from organisers and volunteers

This article features in the May 2026 issue of World Pickleball Magazine. For the full collection of features, interviews, coaching insights and global coverage, download the complete magazine here.

A Growing Event

The 2026 Welsh Nationals, held at the Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre, felt like another step forward in that journey. Not perfect, not without its challenges, but undeniably moving in the right direction. Participation was up by around 30 percent, new faces arrived, younger players stepped onto the courts, and the depth across categories continues to improve.

Behind it all were Kath Knowles and Paul Byron, and while they may not be Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with Hollywood backing, their time, effort and commitment to the sport in Wales deserves just as much recognition. Alongside them, volunteers worked tirelessly, often unseen, preparing courts just hours before play began.

There may be no cameras following every move, but there is a shared purpose, and that continues to carry Welsh pickleball forward. Pickleball Wales, the national governing body, continues to build the framework that makes events like this possible.

If you’re following how the global game is shifting week by week, the World Pickleball Report breaks this down every Wednesday.

Friday Singles: New Faces, Sharp Competition

Friday’s singles set the tone for the weekend, with a full schedule of matches across all categories that showcased just how far the game has come. From the first rallies, there was quality, competitiveness and a growing tactical awareness that made every court worth watching.

The standout moment came in the Men’s 15+ 4.0+, where Ben Stucbury announced himself in style. The Pembrokeshire-based tennis coach combined composure with intensity, moving effortlessly across the court and showing exceptional touch at the net, with a drop shot that repeatedly caught opponents out. Between points, he remained calm and present, even sitting cross-legged to reset before going again.

Facing defending champion Scott Mayo in the final, Stucbury came from a game down to win 2–1 in a physically demanding contest that required as much resilience as it did skill. It was a performance that felt like an arrival, a reminder that new players are not just entering the sport but are ready to compete at the very top.

Alongside this, the Men’s 50+ 4.0+ final between Jon Banks and Mark Johnson offered a different but equally compelling spectacle. If anything, it was just as physical, with both players covering the court relentlessly despite long days of competition behind them. Banks ultimately took gold, but both players demonstrated that experience does not replace intensity, it refines it, turning movement, decision-making and endurance into something impressive to watch.

Saturday Doubles: Partnerships and Promise

Saturday carried that momentum into doubles, where partnerships and chemistry came to the forefront.

Banks and Johnson returned in the Men’s 50+ 4.0+, this time on the same side of the net, combining their experience to take gold in a well-contested North versus South final against Paul Byron and Leigh Davies.

In the Women’s 50+ 3.5+, Nicola Day and Susan Jones produced a composed and controlled performance to take gold against Michaela Braunerova and Susan Evans, managing the game with experience and clarity when it mattered most.

At the same time, the 15+ 3.5+ category offered a glimpse into the future, with Leah McDaniel and Kim McCall delivering a dominant display. Their sporting backgrounds and growing commitment to pickleball are clear, and their development is one to watch.

For a clearer view of where the sport is heading each week, you can join the World Pickleball Report here.

Further Reading

Photo of Chris Beaumont

Chris Beaumont

Founder and Editor-in-Chief
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…

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