PRESIDENTIAL PADDLE PRESS

Events Update

The countdown is on, with the Australian Pickleball Champs (APC) just a few weeks away. With over 1200 entrants, this is the largest competition in Australia. To make this event even better, please ensure you encourage all of your family and friends to come along to support the players throughout the week. There are a lot of firsts happening at this event so make sure you come along to find out what is unfolding in the pickleball world.

Paving the Way for National Sporting Organisation (NSO) Status

Many of you may be aware of a recent podcast relating to Tennis Australia's interest in Pickleball. It is critical that you support our peak body, Pickleball Australia (PA), as it continues to seek National Sporting Organisation status. This will ensure pickleball remains in the hands of a body solely focussed on the growth of pickleball. 

To help achieve this, every member counts. Pickleball has one of the lowest annual membership costs with over 20,000 members at present. We believe, however, that this is only the tip of the iceberg, so please encourage your fellow club mates to join PA, which in turn will help us become recognised at the highest levels.

World Cup Open Teams 2025 - Queensland Players Rock!

You should be proud to know that over half of the Australian team in the World Cup Open Teams 2025 is made up of Queensland players. Congratulations to Sarah Burr, Tayah Cross, Josh Nipperess, and Oliver Gray. Representing Queensland in the Senior team is Martin Clark, with coach Mike Newell. We wish them well in this upcoming event, scheduled for October 31st – November 2nd.

Seeking Committee Members – AGM Coming Soon

The AGM date will be announced very soon. We will need one or two committee members so if you are interested in joining us, please ensure you get nominated when the forms become available. 

With the rapid changes due to the phenomenal growth of Pickleball in Australia, there will be plenty of things to become involved with. We are also keen to grow our social media sub-committee, so if this is your passion, please email secretary@pickleballqueensland.org with your contact details.

[Words by: Adrian Gray, President, Pickleball Queensland]

FROM THE TOURNAMENT DESK:

 Growth Explosion

Queensland Pickleball isn’t just alive — it’s thriving! 

In July 2025, we cracked the 6,000-member milestone.  Think paddles, balls, endless rallies, plenty of laughs — and more serotonin than your morning coffee could ever deliver.

Our QPT Tour numbers are skyrocketing too:

• Gold Coast – grew by 118% (must be all that sunshine and surf).
• Townsville – up 63% (pickleball + tropical vibes = winning combo).
• Yeppoon – up 48% (clearly fuelled by pineapples).
• Brisbane – up 43% (city slickers discovering dinks).
• Hervey Bay – up 29% (whale season wasn’t the only attraction!).

And Bundaberg? Already 71% up on last year's Bundy Rumble (non-QPT) event, before registration even closed. Rumour has it that the rum is the attraction...

With all this growth, we’re juggling more players on the same number of courts — think of it as pickleball speed-dating, but with paddles. Streamlining tournaments isn’t just smart — it’s survival.

Bye Bye Paper, Hello Player-Entered Scores

Big news: players can now enter their own scores! No more sprinting to the Tournament Desk with sweaty score sheets. No more staff drowning in piles of paper like origami gone wrong.

We gave it a test run:

• Hervey Bay (15-17 August) – one event.
• Gold Coast Grand Slam (22-24 August) – 458 players, 68 events and 1344 matches.

Result? Absolute magic. I want to call out the 65+ Women’s Doubles who just got stuck in, no fuss, no drama - legends!  Instead of waiting, players can now check their phones to see if they are on.

And a BIG round of applause goes to: 

• Players for rolling with the tech.
• Tournament Directors for being brave enough to let us tinker.
• Our Support Desk — without them, we would be lost.

We’re still ironing out a few wrinkles with Pickleball.com (and yes, the iron is on steam setting), but we’re nearly there.

  Switch to DUPR

Remember that announcement back on 8 April 2025? PA said: “Bye-bye PA Ratings, hello DUPR.” A grace period was given so players could adjust — because change is scary (kind of like trying a new serve in front of a crowd).

That grace period is now ending. From 28 September 2025, you’ll need to play in the category your DUPR rating actually puts you in.

Here’s the kicker: sandbagging won’t help. Beating lower-ranked players is like stealing cookies from a kid — it doesn’t earn you points. If you want your DUPR to go up, you’ve got to step on court with tougher competition. Think of it as free character building.

DUPR Update Want to know more? Then read: DUPR Update – Summarised by THE DINK – Leading DUPR Scientist Explains

 Referees – We Need You! 

Referees really are the bloodline of a tournament — without them, a sanctioned tournament cannot run.

More players are asking for bronze medal matches to be refereed — and honestly, we’d all love that too! Here’s where you can step in:

Becoming a referee is one of the best ways to give back to the pickleball community. When you’re not on court playing, why not put your hand up to referee?  All you need is to attend a course, know the rules and love the game.   

For the referee training schedule, head here:  Upcoming referee training

And next time you see a referee, flash them a smile and say thanks — most of them are volunteers generously giving their time to take the pressure off the players. 

Paddle Check – Play it Legal

Please be aware that the use of illegal paddles is on the rise. Don’t get caught out!

It’s every player’s responsibility to make sure their paddle is on the approved list. You can double-check yours here:  USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List

Play fair, play smart, and keep it legal — because nothing spoils a great rally faster than a paddle that shouldn’t be on court. 

Final Rally

Queensland Pickleball is booming. New systems, new ratings, more players, fewer trees sacrificed — what’s not to love?

So, keep practicing, keep laughing, and most importantly, keep swinging that paddle like nobody’s watching.

See you on court (and hopefully not in the penalty box for “paddle throwing”)!

[Words by: Rykie Louw, The Tournament Desk]

PICKLEBALL AUSTRALIA SENIORS (PAS) – NEWS UPDATE:

The inaugural Australian Masters Cup (AMC) Finals are almost here. Taking place at the Pimpama Sports Hub, Gold Coast, on the 27th and 28th of September 2025 (the eve of the Australian Pickleball Championships), PAS is really excited about the upcoming AMC League Nationals, with the qualifying Queensland contenders below:

Also, PAS has been working on a video specifically for Seniors and with relevant content relating to all things pickleball. Stay tuned!

[Words by: Fran Kealey]

CLUBHOUSE BUZZFEED: 

CARDWELL & DISTRICT PICKLEBALL CLUB NEWS:

We have been waiting for our courts to be resurfaced after being fortunate to get a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant last year plus some support from Cassowary Coast Regional Council. The work was delayed with all the rain, but it has finally happened. The courts were in bad shape with lots of mould. Now they look fantastic! 

We also got a grant from the local Bendigo Bank for club T shirts which were designed and made by local Glen Hussey and his company Fish Feen. 

[Words by: Susan Ticehurst]

SUNSHINE COAST PICKLEBALL CLUB

New T-shirts seem to be in vogue (modelled by our very own picklehead and Media Team member, Irene Krajewska)  – watch out for these hitting the tournament courts at the QPT, 40+ Masters in Brisbane, and the APC on the Goldie! Thank you to Veronica Drummond for her wonderful work in organising these for the Club.

THE PICKLEBALL HIVE

The Pickleball Hive in Buderim was launched on the Sunshine Coast in August 2024 by Andrew and Louise Kratzmann. Since then, it has grown to 1400 members, and their successful venture now includes launching a new booking App, with new sessions, including Drill and Play, Singles match play on Thursdays, some Wednesday night comp sessions also on Monday Nights, and their Social Swarm now on every day of the week. And, you can also hire Buzz, their state of the art pickleball machine! 

PICKLECOACH: The Importance of Drilling for Improvement in Pickleball – Benefits and Best Drills

Want to level up your pickleball skills? Learn why drilling is key to improvement and discover the best practice drills to boost consistency, confidence, and control.

If you want to improve your pickleball game, playing more matches is great. But structured drilling is where real progress happens. Drills are the cornerstone of skill development in pickleball, no matter your level.

Whether you're a beginner learning basic shots or an advanced player fine-tuning your strategy, regular and focused drilling can dramatically improve your consistency, confidence, and overall court performance. Want to know more? Then read:  PickleCOACH: The Importance of Drilling for Improving Your Pickleball Game

Related Resource: The Value of Drilling vs Playing in Pickleball: Why Both Matter

PICKLEDOC:  5 TOP TIPS to Prevent FOOT and ANKLE Injuries Playing Pickleball!

Pickleball is a fun and fast-growing sport, but it comes with its share of injuries - especially to feet and ankles of uninitiated players.

But with sudden lunges, quick pivots, and rapid stops, ALL PLAYERS are at high risk for inversion ankle sprains and achilles tendon injuries.

So, whether you’re an experienced athlete, new to sports entirely, or have a history of foot and ankle problems, here are the key things to consider before stepping onto the court - read more:  PickleDOC: How To Prevent Feet & Ankle Injuries

SPONSORS SPOTLIGHT:

SALMING:

The 2025 range is finally here, featuring 2 different models of Viper. The Viper Pro and the Viper 1 share the precise same construction (including the shape, midsole and outsole) however feature very different uppers.

The Viper Pro is perfect for those that require more stability in a shoe and need a more secure fit as the upper really holds your foot in place.

The Viper 1 is extremely light and breathable. The upper is more ventilated and stripped back for an even lighter shoe, favouring those that need their feet to breathe more (so they don’t overheat) and also those that seek lighter shoes.

There is also a new model to the range, the Fusion Pro. Those looking for aggressive grip and cushion will love this shoe. The increases cushion is great for heavy movers or those who play for long hours on court and need a more comfortable shoe. 

PICKLEBALL MANIA:

The new Kanso range have been absolute favourites at all our popup events. Kanso is the new kid on the block, and all models sport an incredibly innovative midsole comprised of super foam for increased energy return. If you are looking for high performance footwear then look no further.

Kanso brings a clean, performance-first take to pickleball footwear - born from a fusion of Japanese minimalism and Swedish design smarts. 

Additionally, we all know how critical it is to match our shoe to the surface we are playing on. Using indoor shoes outside will lead to them being torn up by the abrasive surface. Likewise indoor shoes feature superior grip on smooth floorboards, so if grip is important to you, then it’s worth investing in a pair for indoor and outdoor.

For indoor players, the Equilibrium EQ X3, EQ Fly and DragonFly are your perfect performance companions.

Heading outside? The Kanso EQ SC and Takumi SC are built to grind it out!

Related Resource: Want to learn about the 3 most important things about a dedicated pickleball shoe? Then read:GameGEAR: How to Choose the Right Pickleball Shoes

SIX ZERO:

💥 GRAND OPENING OF SIX ZERO GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS:

Six Zero Pickleball marked a major milestone in August with the opening of its new global headquarters and flagship store in Australia, underscoring the brand’s rapid international growth. The new HQ serves as the central hub for product innovation, athlete partnerships, and customer experience, offering players a first-of-its-kind destination to test and shop Six Zero gear.

Press Release from Dale and the Six Zero Team: 

“Thank you, Sunshine Coast!

What happened on opening day far exceeded our expectations, and we’re deeply grateful to the community that turned up, lined up, and made our first storefront feel like home.

The morning started with a local coffee van serving barista-made coffee while the public demo’d paddles on our mini-court. Opening-day offers and giveaways were

well received, and those who attended were the first to see our new Gen 4.5 paddle. Seriously, a big thank you to everyone who travelled, shared the news, or just dropped in to say ‘Hi’.

If you haven’t dropped in yet, we’d love to see you at 11/2 Main Drive, Bokarina, SE Queensland. We’re open 9–5pm Monday to Friday, and 9–2pm Saturday. We look forward to seeing you!”

The opening coincided with a special preview of the much-anticipated Black Opal, the most powerful paddle Six Zero has ever engineered. Developed over two years and refined through more than 500 prototypes, the Black Opal introduces patent pending Next Gem™ technologies, ushering in a new era of Six Zero pickleball paddles. 

HOT PRESS:  LAUNCH OF THE NEW BLACK OPAL PADDLE - WATCH THIS SPACE! 

While the official launch of the Black Opal is still ahead, a limited quantity will be available exclusively at the new Six Zero stall during the Australian Pickleball Championships, Sept 29^th – October 6^th, 2025, at Pimpana Sports Hub, Gold Coast.

Picklehead attendees will have the rare opportunity to see, test, and purchase (while supplies last) the paddle before its global release! 

Players and fans eager to stay updated on the Black Opal can join our waitlist!

Related Resources: 

• Want to know how to properly test a paddle before you buy? Then read: GameGEAR: 7 Things to Test in a Pickleball Paddle Before You Buy
• Want to know more about Six Zero? Then read: From Garage Startup to Global Success: Six Zero Pickleball Opens Global Headquarters in Sunshine Coast Australia
  

For more information, visit www.sixzeropickleball.com or follow @sixzeropickleball on social media

GO NEXT LEVEL!!!

TIME TO SHOP:

Smash the Savings: Member-Only Pickleball Deals!

Love a good deal? As a valued Pickleball Queensland member, you get exclusive access to special discounts on gear, apparel, and more! Whether you're upgrading your paddle, refreshing your court wardrobe, searching for AED equipment or courses for your club, or hunting for a bargain, our Members-Only discount prices have you covered. 

Don’t miss out on the savings spree waiting for you! 🛍️

Click HERE to Start Shopping Smarter! 

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We hope you have enjoyed reading our latest member update.

Don’t forget to follow us for more fun updates on Facebook! 

[Created by: Irene Krajewska]