The Olympickle Games – Sunday 2nd November 2025

Knowle & Dorridge Racquets Club

On Sunday 2nd November, our pickleball community will come together for a day of fun, sport and fundraising in support of the Matt Gallagher Foundation, raising vital funds for people and families affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Matt Gallagher is a much-loved local figure, a former professional rugby player, husband to Lisa and dad to Holly-Mae, Daisy and Jack. He was sadly diagnosed with MND in October 2023, and since then the Foundation has already raised close to £1 million through incredible charity balls, cricket matches, fun runs and community events.

The Olympickle Games is our turn to do our bit — showing support as a club while raising funds for such an important cause.

We’d love your support. Please donate, mention the team name and the person you’re supporting in your message, and help us raise as much as possible. And please don’t forget to share this page with your friends and family — the more people who know, the more impact we can make.

Sponsorship

We’re so proud to have Murfo Interiors supporting our event in aid of the Matt Gallagher Foundation for MND.

Founded by Dominic and Cherie Murphy, Murfo is a locally based interior design and project management company known for transforming homes and spaces with creativity and care. Dominic, well known across B93, Solihull, Knowle and Dorridge through DM & Co, continues to show incredible community spirit with this generous £500 sponsorship.

A huge thank you to Murfo for helping us bring the community together for such a meaningful cause.

If you’re thinking about transforming your home or business space, be sure to visit murfo.co.uk

Teams & Captains

There will be 8 teams, each led by a captain.

The teams are designed to create a little sportsmanship, camaraderie and (let’s be honest) healthy rivalry about who can raise the most money. Think of it as a friendly competition — where the only real winners are the families supported by the Matt Gallagher Foundation.

Looking to find your friend, here’s the full line-up of teams, captains and players along with their colours:

Dink and Drop! – Captain: Ian Harris (Yellow)

Players: Andy Nock, Kay Patel, Jo Isaacs, Nick Barnard, Dave Draper, Harry Brown, Paul Baglole

Poppys' Picklers – Captain: Lisa Eyre (White)

Players: Zoe, Jane Harden, Sharon Bell, Annabelle, Di Draper, Keith May, John Heatley

The Lob Stars – Captain: Rachael Taplin (Blue)

Players: Vicki Hill, Paul Scott, Steve Eyre, Ruth Heatley, Brian Marshall, Caroline Rawbone, Steve Wynde

Ballcop Untd – Captain: Nikki Haines (Red)

Players: Alex Bather, Lynn Brown, James Hatton, Frances Marshall, Judy Hawker, Chris KM, Charlie C, Jill Lyons

Net Ninjas – Captain: Lucy Baker (Pink)

Players: Louise Baglole, Paul Eden, Liz Freeman, Tom, Carol Street, Adrienne W, Linda Dovey, Steve Duffy

Pickled Onions – Captain: Jamie Harden (Green)

Players: Fiona, Marianna, Lucy Emmerson, Caz, Jackie Creed, Jill Osbourne, Chris May, Ken Millbanks

Pickled Trotters – Captain: Roque Santana-Vaz (Orange)

Players: Sue Trenchard, Dave McGill, Kevin Walshe, Kate Redmond Lyon, Rod Street, David Hawker, Paul

The Dinkers – Captain: Jenny Whitehead (Black)

Players: Jess, Dee Brown, Mike Chapman, Susy Reid, Sarah Nolan, Pauline H, Liz Warner, Sophie Duffy.

What’s Happening on the Day

Pickleball from 11am – 4pm with 8 fun teams competing (ages ranging from 12 to 80!)

4pm onwards- 80s-themed party and auction in the clubhouse with a few drinks!

Plus cakes. community spirit, a few surprises and plenty of fun along the way.

How You Can Help

Please donate/sponsor whatever you can to support this event.

Don't forget if you’re sponsoring a particular friend or team, mention the team name and the person you are sponsoring in your donation message.

Even more importantly, please share this page on your social media to help us spread the word — the more people who know about it, the bigger the impact we can make.

Every penny raised goes directly to the Matt Gallagher Foundation, helping to fund vital support for those living with MND.

Together, as a club and a community, we can make this a day to remember for Matt and his family — and play our part in making a real difference.

Learn more about the Foundation: https://mattgallagherfoundation.org

You can also view Matt's recent interview (7th October) on BBC Midlands Today, watch it here