NeuroPickleball Festival Celebrates Year of Success & New Sessions for Herts

On Monday 22^nd June, Everyone Active’s Batchwood Leisure Centre in St Albans hosted the UK’s first NeuroPickleball Festival, bringing together players, carers, coaches and volunteers from across Hertfordshire for a celebration of sport, wellbeing and inclusion.

Originally expecting 25 attendees, the event exceeded expectations, welcoming 40 participants. The atmosphere throughout the two-hour event was incredible, with everyone enjoying an afternoon of activity, connection and fun. Despite soaring temperatures, the festival proved a huge success, offering those attending the chance to enjoy pickleball in a supportive and welcoming environment.

The festival marked an important milestone for NeuroPickleball Hertfordshire, celebrating the programme’s first year of delivery of weekly sessions across three Everyone Active locations; St Albans, Stevenage and Letchworth. Designed for people living with Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or recovering from a stroke, NeuroPickleball sessions focus on improving movement, confidence and wellbeing while creating opportunities for meaningful social interaction. The sessions are free to attend and include refreshments, helping to foster a strong sense of community among participants.

The initiative was driven by Peter Simmons of Stevenage Pickleball Club, in partnership with Everyone Active and coaches from local pickleball clubs. Together, they have created opportunities for people living with neurological conditions to experience the physical, mental and social benefits of one of the UK's fastest-growing sports.

Throughout the festival, participants enjoyed a variety of pickleball activities before gathering in the centre’s lounge area for refreshments and conversation. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting not only the enjoyment of playing but also the friendships and support networks developed through the programme.

The event highlighted the programme’s growing success and served as an important introduction for new delivery partners ahead of the next phase of expansion. Everyone Active Community Managers, together with coaches and members of the West Herts Wizards, attended to see first-hand how NeuroPickleball is transforming the lives of participants.

Adding to the occasion was a visit from Annie Brewster, His Majesty The King's Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and No Limits 2026 Patron, who met players, volunteers and organisers and praised the positive difference the initiative is making across the county.

Herts Pickleball also played a key role in the festival’s success, contributing funding towards refreshments and participant goodie bags, which helped to make the day even more memorable for those who attended.

The celebrations continued when Peter Simmons announced that NeuroPickleball Hertfordshire had recently secured a £15,000 Sport England grant, following a successful application supported by the No Limits 2026 Funding4Sport bid writing service. The funding marks a significant step in the programme's growth, enabling NeuroPickleball to expand from September 2026 into four additional Hertfordshire venues, including Watford, Rickmansworth, Berkhamsted and Royston.

The expansion will nearly double the programme’s reach, increasing the number of NeuroPickleball venues in the county from three to seven and giving even more people living with neurological conditions access to regular physical activity, social engagement and improved wellbeing.

Following the success of the inaugural event, discussions are already underway for a return festival in 2027, which could welcome players from the new venues set to open later this year. Judging by the enthusiasm, attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback, NeuroPickleball's future in Hertfordshire looks brighter than ever.

Where can I find the NeuroPickleball Sessions?

See the following poster for the days, times and locations of all 7 sessions running across the county: 

Everyone Active Neurological Pickleball Sessions

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For more information about Everyone Active's NeuroPickleball sessions or for booking assistance, please contact: Neuropickleballhertfordshire@everyoneactive.com.