The country that is known for its AFL, cricket and rugby has a new sport that is taking the country by storm.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia, with over 90,000 people playing according to the Pickleball Australia 2023-2024 Annual Report
Challenges with rapid growth
Daniel Soderman, Chairperson for the Pickleball Association of WA, says while he is thrilled with the rapid growth, it comes with its challenges.
“Funding is quite hard at the moment, because pickleball in Australia is not quite a sport”
Mr Soderman explains that Pickleball in Australia doesn’t have National Sporting Organisation Status (NSO).
“One of our major issues that we’re seeing at the moment is trying to get the Government to see that this is a fantastic sport,” said Mr Soderman.
Without NSO status, the racket sport is unable to apply for valuable funding and grant programs.
Dedicated facilities are also an issue that pickleball faces without NSO status.
While there are many repurposed badminton or converted tennis courts to accommodate the growing numbers, in Perth there’s only one official pickleball centre, located in Wanneroo.
Mr Soderman acknowledges the challenges but remains hopeful that the sport can succeed.
“Once we get that [funding], pickleball will boom.”
Community success
Despite these slight setbacks the Perth community are continuing to prove what an excellent sport pickleball is.
Scott Utley, a pickleball coach at the Ocean Ridge Tennis Club is encouraging everyone to give pickleball a go, crediting its success to the community.
“It’s much more sociable, and you’re closer to your opponent, you’re closer to your partner, and it’s just full of absolute laughter.”
View this post on Instagram
He goes on to say that it’s become especially popular with ex semi pro or professional tennis and badminton players.
“It’s a second lease of another sport.”
Similar to tennis, a player is set opposite to their opponent but instead they serve an underhand volley.
They also have the ‘double bounce rule’ which means that receivers have to let the ball bounce before they can hit it.
Once all the rules are understood, Mr Utley says that the sport is super accessible.
“[It’s] even accommodating for kids from five years old, up to their great grandmother and 90 years old.”
Despite the average age of players being around 56, according to the Pickleball Australia Annual report, young players are still showing an interest.
Diesel Evans is the current dual state champion for the age 11 and under category and won the Junior Club Championship in August of this year.
He says that the game was really easy to pick up and with practice progression can be made.
Diesel said that despite tournaments being competitive he has made lots of friends along the way.
“It’s a really fun sport and as soon I kinda got into it I just fell in love with it.”
The racket sport has clearly got clear interest in Perth, with more players every week.
Scott Utley wants to encourage everyone to try this fantastic sport.
“Believe me, once you try it, you’ll be addicted.”
