Sue Pennington: Pickleball Champion & Mental Health Advocate

Sue Pennington, Corporate Communications Manager at Worcester Bosch, discovered a new passion for pickleball during an activity holiday in Greece. Combining elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, pickleball is a fast-paced sport played on a small court with solid paddles and a perforated ball. There with friends she’d made through tennis, Sue was drawn to the fast, thrilling pace of pickleball and quickly realised how her tennis skills translated to this new sport. Upon returning home, Sue and her friends started exploring local pickleball groups and eventually set their sights on the English Open in Telford where 2000 pickleballers were due to compete. Driven by a shared goal, they entered the competition and triumphed, winning their ladies’ doubles category, with Sue taking home a gold medal in singles.

An active lifestyle has always been essential to Sue. Alongside pickleball, she enjoys tennis, CrossFit and skis each year and believes that staying fit is key to maintaining a positive outlook. Physical activity, she notes, is more than a physical health benefit; it’s a significant contributor to her mental well-being. For Sue, the friendships and camaraderie built through sports have been invaluable, providing a community of support that extends beyond the courts and gym.

Sue’s journey with pickleball is part of a broader commitment to continuous learning and growth, traits she finds vital in both personal and professional settings. Growing up in Generation X who have had the most sharp learning curve than any generation, witnessing rapid advancements in technology has meant she has developed adaptability and resilience. This adaptability serves her well in her marketing role, but she’s not shy to lean on her younger colleagues to find out all the latest trends it’s all part of the learning process, she says with a smile.

Her commitment to growth also extends to mental health advocacy. After losing a close friend to suicide, Sue became a trained mental health champion at Worcester Bosch, providing support and guidance to colleagues in need. For Sue, being present for others is an opportunity to share the resilience she’s developed and to help others build their own.

Sue’s experience as a parent also shapes her perspective on perseverance and goal setting. When her eldest son was born with a rare bone condition, Sue set about encouraging him to explore various sports, ultimately finding his passion in wheelchair tennis. Competing on the ITF Tour, he’s developed a network of friends worldwide, and he often comments that his mum has served as a role model for him and his brother by staying active and involved herself. In addition to sports, she sings in a choir, is a foundation director at a local high school, and volunteers with an arts charity, recognising that staying engaged is essential for her mental health.