Dr Michelle Chin’s Pickleball Journey: Dr Michelle Chin, a dentist at Chermside Dental Care in Brisbane, began playing pickleball to meet people. But within a few years, she found herself representing Australia in the sport’s National Pickleball League. Originally from Canada, Dr Chin was amazed by the opportunity.
From Canada to Australia with a Paddle
Dr Michelle Chin first discovered pickleball in 2017 while living in Toronto. Watching a game with her mother at a community centre, she was drawn to its fast pace and smaller court size.
“I joined the local club and loved it straight away,” (Dr Michelle Chin).
She described the sport as easy to learn but hard to master.
“Pickleball has a smaller court than tennis and players use paddles to hit a wiffle ball,”. “You can enjoy it no matter what your level of play.”
Building a New Life in Brisbane
After moving to Brisbane in 2019, Dr Michelle Chin didn’t know anyone. She contacted Brisbane Pickleball and quickly became part of the group.
“One of the players even picked me up from home and took me to the court—the only dedicated pickleball court in Australia at the time,” (Dr Michelle Chin).
She soon began training regularly, playing in competitive matches twice a week.
“When playing at a professional level, I was training regularly and doing exercises to build strength,” (Dr Michelle Chin).
The Fast Rise of the Sport in Australia
Dr Michelle Chin shared how quickly pickleball has grown.
“The sport has exploded in Australia and there are competitions right across the country,”. “The game has changed since I started playing. It’s much faster now and you need good hand-eye coordination.”(Dr Michelle Chin)
Unfortunately, an injury slowed her down.
“I developed some RSI in my wrist so now it’s just a social thing where I play with my family and friends whenever I get the chance,” (Dr Michelle Chin).
Community, Competition, and Connection
What Dr Michelle Chin loves most is the welcoming community.
“I originally fell in love with pickleball because it’s such a welcoming community. I had never experienced that before with other sports,” (Dr Michelle Chin).
She added,
“There’s also a social aspect to pickleball and I’ve made good friends that are still close to me. After games, there are often get-togethers and being in Australia, a lot of barbecues.”
A Sport That’s Here to Stay
Dr Michelle Chin’s story shows how pickleball offers more than exercise—it brings people together. With its growing popularity in Australia and around the world, more players like her are likely to find both connection and competition on the court.
News in Brief: Dr Michelle Chin’s Pickleball Journey
Dr Michelle Chin of Chermside Dental Care in Brisbane went from trying pickleball in Canada to representing Australia in the National Pickleball League. Now recovering from injury, she plays socially. She says the sport’s fast growth and welcoming community make it a fun and lasting part of her life.
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