AN ENTHUSIASTIC group of ‘picklers’ from Hydeaway Bay and Cape Gloucester are thrilled about their two new pickleball courts, at their Gloucester Sport and Recreation Association facility, in Hydeaway Bay.
With the generosity of residents, grants from Whitsunday Regional Council and the association’s backing, it has taken more than four years of planning and building to provide the only purpose-built pickleball courts outside of southeast Queensland.
Pickleball has only been in Australia since 2016.
A combination of tennis, table tennis and badminton, pickleball has the attraction of being easy to learn, very social, inclusive and attractive to all age levels.
Originally from the US, Pickleball is now being played in all Australian States and currently there are 15,000 Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) members.
In Queensland alone, there are more than 30 affiliated clubs.
The Whitsundays are certainly not behind the times, with pickleball now being played in Cannonvale, Bowen, Proserpine and Hydeaway Bay.
Session times are available almost every day of the week, both daytime and evening. Bookings are available through the OpenSport App.
The latest survey conducted by the Australian Sports Commission has revealed a significant surge in pickleball participation across Australia.
The AusPlay survey is a comprehensive national population tracking initiative, which monitors participation in over 600 sports and activities.
The latest data indicates that a remarkable 90,000 Australians, aged 15 years and older, have engaged in pickleball in the past year.
That’s an impressive number for pickleball, considering its short history in Australia.
This figure far exceeds previous estimates, highlighting the rapid and widespread growth of pickleball among people of all ages, with accessibility, its social nature and health benefits all contributing to this figure.
The Gloucester Sport & Recreation Association, together with the Gloucester Pickleball Club, is inviting everyone to the official opening of their pickleball courts, on Saturday, November 30, from 2.30pm to 5pm.
Guests will enjoy a pickleball demonstration game, a ‘Come and Try’ session and open play, as well as a fundraising raffle and refreshments in the clubhouse.
For enquiries, contact Ian on 0448 407 715 or Lorraine on 0417 773 904.
