BY PAT CAVANAGH
SUNSHINE Coast Pickleball Club hosts Pickleball sessions across nine venues across the Sunshine Coast every week, and this inclusive sport is proving very popular in Coolum.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. Players use solid-faced paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles.
At a local level, Pickleball is played at the Pat Cavanagh Centre at Coolum State School for nine sessions every week.
Each session is capped at 20 participants, so overall, 180 players play at Coolum during the week.
The sessions are designed to cater for various skill levels and player interest.
Coolum hosts Danny and Romy Papo have cultivated a culture amongst the playing group, which is characterised by a sense of ownership, a sense of belonging and most importantly a sense of community.
To further enhance these concepts, Coolum members can now be seen proudly wearing their very own club uniforms.
Host Danny Papo said the Coolum Pickleball Crew tops helped unite the players in their desire to have fun, fitness and friendship.
Danny further added that the Pickleball Association appreciates and values the support of Coolum State School as the venue is recognised as one of the best on the Sunshine Coast.
For more information on Sunshine Coast Pickleball and how to join a game in Coolum please visit – www.scpickleball.com.au