THE RISING popularity of pickleball worldwide has hit Nambucca Valley, with the Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club hosting the Mid North Coast Challenge for the first time on 23 August at Bowraville and hoping to run a Sanctioned Tournament through Pickleball Australia in coming years.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and has wide appeal.
Mary Dorahy, Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club president, is keen to see the sport grow in the region.
“In 2019, pickleball teams began forming in our region and then in 2024 Bowraville, Nambucca Heads and Scotts Head established as a club in Nambucca Valley,” Ms Dorahy said.
“Presently we have over 90 members from a range of demographics.
“We have players from 13 to 84 years, some who have never played, to ex-tennis or squash players, cricketers and footballers.
“Everyone is welcome, equipment is supplied and the first go is free,” she said.
Interested players can apply via the Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club Facebook page or www.pickleheads.com
Bowraville Central School has encouraged the growth of pickleball by recently building all-weather courts and allowing the Nambucca Valley Pickleball Club access in exchange for help training students during Wednesday school sport class.
News Of The Area spoke with Aaron Johnson, head of The Dink Collective, which began in 2024 and aims to bring all the Mid North Coast region clubs together and support them by providing a donation to the host club each challenge.
“The Challenge’s inception was due to the scarcity of tournaments in the region at the time,” Mr Johnson said.
“We helped that transition by moving local players into the tournament space.”
Throughout the year teams have met with other Mid North Coast clubs at Taree/Hallidays Point, Kempsey, Forster/Tuncurry and Nambucca at Bowraville, with a final planned at Wauchope in November.
“We are proud to have a junior novice team from Wauchope and more juniors throughout the region,” Mr Johnson said.
“The average age is decreasing over time as we attract a younger demographic.
“There is strong competition in the intermediate field. Now they are moving on to higher divisions and more competitive leagues,” he said.
By Sharon JANE
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