Pickleball
The club hosts regular pickleball sessions in the spacious hall of the Thomson St Sporting Complex - entrance is at the rear of the Aquatic Centre - see map below.
These sessions are scheduled every Thursday at 6:00 PM and Sunday at 3PM. With the increasing interest and enthusiasm for pickleball, we're enthusiastic about cultivating a vibrant pickleball community within our club.
Pickleball sessions at Sussex Inlet:
· Day and Time: Thursdays at 6-8PM & Sundays at 3-5PM
· Location: Thomson St Sporting Complex, Large Hall - refer map below.
· Cost: $5 for club members, $7 for non-members
2025:
- We are looking to add more playing sessions to our program so any feedback about times that you prefer would be helpful. Send to [email protected] or call Michael 0415 296 686 to discuss.
- We have a demonstration day booked as part of the Step into Summer at Sussex program. The streets will be closed at 3:30pm and we will play when we get it all set up until early evening. We will have 2 courts and everyone is invited to have a hit even if yo have never played before. This is part of a bigger program so come along and join in.
Where are we?
A little bit about Pickleball:
- Fastest growing sport - over 100% growth last year alone
- Came to Australia in the late 2010's with play starting officially in most states in 2017.
- How to play: Watch here
What is Pickleball?
- It’s a paddle and ball sport for all ages.
- The game is played on a badminton-size court with a net slightly lower than tennis height and a wiffle ball - like a practice golf ball i.e. plastic with holes in it, only larger, the same size as a tennis ball.
- A combination of the skills, rules, and strategies borrowed from tennis, table tennis, and badminton.
When did Pickleball begin?
- 1965 in the Northwest of the USA.
- Three families on holiday created it as a family-oriented sport.
Where did the name come from?
- There are competing stories—one which involves the family dog, the other story is about the combination of other sports equipment and it was like a rowing “Pickle Crew”. But whatever the name’s origin, the fun and social nature of the sport is what brings people together.
Why is pickleball so popular?
- It’s a sport for life - all ages play from 8 - 90 years.
- It’s easy to learn.
- Highly inclusive. It's great for familes as all ages can play at the same level.
- We call it ‘fun, social and competitive’.
- Longevity for players.
- It’s easier on the joints (low impact).
- Wide range of identified mental, physical and social wellbeing benefits.
- You cover less distance than tennis, but even so, it’s a great workout.
- Pickleball is much easier on the shoulder especially with the easy underarm serve.
- Since games last about 10 to 15 minutes, we are on and off the court fairly quickly and in social environments interaction amongst players often occurs throughout the session of play.
- The physical and mental health benefits are well documented and quickly become evident when you play.
- Culture and etiquette at all levels of play engenders ideals of sportsmanship.
Membership: Club membership is available at $30 per year, starting from the date of payment. Becoming a member not only offers reduced pickleball session rates but also grants access to various club amenities and activities, including discounted tennis court hire. To find out more about the benefits of membership, please visit our membership page.