THE inaugural Foster-Rudner Shield, a bi-annual intertown pickleball competition between the Nambucca Valley and Kempsey, took place on Saturday 28 March at the Bowraville pickleball courts in Coronation Street.
Around 65 players from 13 to 70-plus took part, representing all skill levels.
“We battled it out for the Shield with Kempsey being the victors of the day,” said organiser Mary Dorahy.
The Foster-Rudner Shield is named after two significant contributors to both the Kempsey and Nambucca Valley pickleball clubs.
Macleay Valley Parish priest Father James Foster was instrumental in the launch of the Kempsey Pickleball Club, initially by allowing the club to use church tennis courts, which needed cleaning and lines painted.
With a legal background, Fr Foster also oversaw the signing of contracts between the parish and the club.
After the courts went three metres underwater during a flood event, he organised for the club to use indoor facilities at St Paul’s College.
Alan Rudner is a founding member of the Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club.
His journey with pickleball began in 2018 on a trip to Canada, where he was encouraged to try the game by a friend.
In early 2019 he arranged a meeting with the local badminton club, who were willing to try the fledgling sport.
Initially the new pickleball club secured Nambucca High School as a venue, before adding courts in Scotts Heads and Bowraville.
The recent tournament also celebrated the talents of Milla Pennell, 13, who designed the striking logo for the Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club.
The Shield event was sponsored by the Bowraville Sports Hub.
By Jen HETHERINGTON
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