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Pickleball Queensland April 2026 Update: Growth, Gratitude & Huge Membership Milestone | PRESIDENT REPORT
Published Thu 09 Apr 2026
A Message from the President – April 2026
G’day everyone!
It’s been another exciting and fast-moving period for pickleball in Queensland, with standout tournaments, incredible volunteer support, and continued growth across the state.
Before we dive in, I want to acknowledge the recent flooding across parts of Queensland and the impact it had on many communities. Our thoughts are with all members, clubs, and venues affected, and we wish everyone well as recovery efforts continue.
🚀 Record-Breaking Growth: 7,000+ Members
And finally - some huge news for pickleball in Queensland…
PAQ has officially surpassed 7,000 members in March!
This milestone represents incredible growth and is a testament to the passion and dedication of our:
- Players
- Clubs
- Venues
- Volunteers
Across every corner of the state, the pickleball community continues to thrive - and this is just the beginning.
🎖️ Recognising Outstanding Service to Pickleball Queensland
A sincere thank you to Michelle Jones, who has stepped down from both the PAQ Committee and her role as Secretary after many years of outstanding service.
Michelle’s contribution to Pickleball Queensland (PAQ) has been immense. In recognition of her dedication, the committee proudly awarded her Five Years Honorary Membership - a small token of appreciation for a truly significant impact.
We also extend our thanks to Adrian Gray and Lauren Clemett, who have stepped down from the committee. Their time, energy, and commitment to growing pickleball in Queensland have been greatly valued, and we wish them all the best moving forward.
🙋🏻♀️ Welcoming Our New PAQ Secretary
Following Michelle’s departure, I’m pleased to welcome Emma Fitzwilliam as the new PAQ Secretary, filling the casual vacancy until the AGM.
Emma has already made a strong contribution supporting our tournaments team, and I’m confident she will do an outstanding job in this important role.
The PAQ Committee remains strong, united, and focused on supporting the continued growth of pickleball across Queensland.
👨 Expanding Our Juniors Pathway
I’m also pleased to welcome Charl van der Merwe to the PAQ Committee, filling a casual vacancy and leading our Juniors Pathway portfolio.
Charl brings strong energy and a clear vision for developing junior participation across Queensland, and his regional base in Yeppoon further strengthens our statewide approach.
📝 Rules Reminder for Tournament Players - Know The CORRECT Way to Serve!
We’ve seen a number of instances at recent tournaments where players have had issues with their serve.
As a reminder, referees have a responsibility to call service faults where they observe them. This is an important part of ensuring matches are played fairly and consistently.
Players also have a responsibility to know the rules and make sure their serve is legal before arriving at a tournament. Taking the time to check your technique beforehand can help avoid unnecessary disruption during matches.
Playing partners can also assist by helping identify any obvious service issues in advance, so these can be addressed before competition.
A good understanding of the rules helps create a better experience for everyone and supports fair play across all levels of the sport.
🙌 Referees & Volunteers
Tournaments simply don’t happen without them. So, next time you see one:
😊 Smile
🙏 Say thank you
It goes a long way…😍
See You on the Courts!
Dan Johnson
President
🏓Before You Go…
📖More To Read:
Pickleball in Queensland 2026: A State of Play Worth Celebrating - JOIN NOW!
Pickleball Rules Explained: Serving, Kitchen Basics, Scoring & Tournament Tips - pickleCOACH
🔊 And don't forget to spread the word, share this link, and follow us on Facebook for all our latest updates, sneak peeks, and tournament buzz! 🏓🔥⋆˚🐝˖°
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