The Northern Rivers Pickleball Club has showed its competitive spirit and talent at Australian Pickleball Championships Event held on the Gold Coast. With an impressive 36 out of 46 competitors from the club taking home medals, the event highlighted the skill and determination of its members. In total, the club secured 10 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze medals across various age groups and skill levels. Club president Steve Bergan expressed immense pride in the achievement, noting the event’s scale, which attracted over 1,200 participants.
“It’s quite an amazing achievement because it was a big tournament with more than 1200 people in attendance. A lot of people were only competing in their first or second tournament and the majority of our members were playing at a pretty advanced level.” – (Steve Bergan)
The club’s success is particularly noteworthy given that many of its members were competing in their first or second tournaments. Despite the challenges of competing in sweltering heat, the fitness levels of the players were remarkable, especially considering the diverse age range of participants.
“It can be a very long day playing in the heat so the fitness level of these people is quite phenomenal, especially given the ages of some players. I’m just so proud of the amount of people who played from our club and medalled. We are a small, regional club competing against players from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.” – (Steve Bergan)
The commitment and hard work of the Northern Rivers Pickleball Club members have certainly paid off, showing that determination knows no age.
Celebrating Individual Achievements and Community Support
Among the club’s standout performers was Sue Custer, who excelled in the over 50s events, winning two gold medals and a silver. Her success shows the high level of competition within the club and its ability to nurture talent.
Steve Bergan himself also contributed to the club’s medal count, earning two bronze medals in the over 60s events. The pickleball tournament not only celebrated individual accomplishments but also showed the club’s collective effort and spirit.
“We also had a number of our club members volunteering in administration roles at this tournament.” – (Steve Bergan)
In addition to their competitive successes, several club members volunteered in administrative roles during the tournament, showing the club’s dedication to the broader pickleball community. Steve Bergan emphasized the importance of recognizing these volunteers, stating,
“I think those people need to be recognized as well.”
The Northern Rivers Pickleball Club, established in 2020 at the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre, has grown rapidly, currently boasting 285 members. With its sights set on lobbying the Ballina Shire Council for dedicated pickleball courts, the club is committed to fostering the sport’s growth and ensuring future success for its members.
News in Brief: Northern Rivers Pickleball Club
The Northern Rivers Pickleball Club excelled at the Australian Pickleball Championships, with 36 out of 46 competitors earning medals, including 10 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze. Club president Steve Bergan praised members’ achievements, especially under challenging conditions. The club, founded in 2020, continues to grow and demand dedicated courts.
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