Kiama Hosts Its First Pickleball Social Competition: Kiama is set to host its inaugural Pickleball Club Social Competition on January 11, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kiama Leisure Centre. This exciting event is a direct response to the rising popularity of pickleball, drawing participants from the enthusiastic local community.
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Growing Demand for Pickleball in Kiama
Daniel Jones, owner of Jones Co Tennis, initiated the competition to establish a summer program for pickleball players in Kiama.
“Over the last 12 months from when we started pickleball on December 23, 2023, we have seen a massive interest in the sport,”. “It has been fantastic to see so many people enjoying it, especially adults. It can be hard to get adults involved in organized activities due to life commitments.”(Daniel Jones)
Jones Co Tennis had been successfully running tennis classes in Kiama, Oak Flats, and Albion Park before introducing pickleball to meet public demand. Describing pickleball as
“somewhere between table tennis and tennis,” (Daniel Jones)
explained that the game is played on a smaller court with two or four players using paddles and a perforated plastic ball.
Competition Format and Participation Details
The social competition is designed to accommodate a maximum of 50 competitors due to the size of the hall. Daniel aims to have at least six teams participating.
“This will be a fun family-friendly event, and we encourage all our players to participate even if they are new to pickleball,” (Daniel Jones).
Families are particularly encouraged to enter as teams, fostering a sense of community among players.
This pickleball competition will follow a doubles round-robin format, where participants form teams of two to four players. Those who are not already on a team will be assigned to one. Winners will be determined based on final point scores, and there will be additional prizes awarded that are not based on skill.
“If all goes well, we would love to run it again as a quarterly competition,” (Daniel Jones),
highlighting the potential for future events.
A Call for Spectators and Community Engagement
Daniel invites friends, families, and anyone curious about pickleball to attend and watch the competition. He noted that the atmosphere during their sessions is always lively, with music playing and participants cheering each other on.
“Our sessions always have a great atmosphere,” (Daniel Jones).
For those interested in trying pickleball but unable to attend the social event, Daniel runs weekly sessions at Kiama High. During the school term, sessions are held on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In the summer holidays, sessions take place on Thursdays at the same time, with all equipment provided and no prior experience necessary.
Event Logistics and Registration Information
The Kiama Pickleball Club Social Competition will take place on January 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kiama Leisure Centre, specifically on the basketball courts. Each member of the team must register, with a participation fee of $20 per person. There is no registration required for spectators, who can enjoy drinks and light refreshments available at the event.
This social competition marks a significant milestone for the Kiama community as it embraces the growing trend of pickleball, promoting fitness, family engagement, and fun for all ages.
News in Brief: Kiama Hosts Its First Pickleball Social Competition
Kiama will host its inaugural Pickleball Club Social Competition on January 11, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kiama Leisure Centre, accommodating up to 50 participants. Organized by Daniel Jones of Jones Co Tennis, the family-friendly event aims to engage the community with a doubles round-robin format. Registration is $20 per person, and spectators are welcome to attend.
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