Central Highlands club to host Ballarat’s biggest pickleball tournament

NEARLY 450 pickleball players from across Victoria, interstate and overseas will converge on Ballarat this week as the Central Highlands Pickleball Classic launches the Victorian leg of the Bush to Bay Rally Series over the Australia Day long weekend.

The tournament will be held at the Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre and is presented by the Central Highlands Pickleball Club, one of Ballarat’s most active and fastest growing sporting organisations.

The biggest pickleball tournament ever held in Ballarat, the event will bring together players of all ages and skill levels for a weekend of high-energy competition, community connection and summer sport.

Tournament organisers say the Classic aims to celebrate pickleball’s rapid rise in popularity while positioning Ballarat as a leading destination for major regional sporting events.

“Pickleball participation continues to grow rapidly across Victoria, and the Bush to Bay Pickleball Tournament reflects this momentum,” tournament coordinator and Ballarat’s lead coach Hannah Handreck said.

“The Classic offers a professionally delivered yet inclusive event, welcoming both first-time competitors and experienced players alike.”

Handreck expressed strong enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the significance of hosting the region’s first tournament of this scale and the opportunity to showcase local talent and facilities.

Given its Australia Day long weekend scheduling, the event is expected to attract visitors from metropolitan and regional areas, providing a welcome boost to local accommodation providers, cafes and hospitality venues.

The entries have been bolstered by the inclusion of about a dozen overseas players, including from Canada, China and New Zealand.

They will be joined by at least 50 players representing the host Central Highlands Pickleball Club, the youngest of which are 14 years old.

The Bush to Bay series features six sanctioned tournaments across Victoria, including the Victorian championship on 6-9 March.

Other series stops include Warrnambool (5-8 June), Pride and Paddles in Melbourne (26-28 June), the Gippsland championships in Traralgon (7-9 August) and the Frankston Centenary Tennis Club Pickleball Open.

Handreck emphasised that the tournament is about more than competition, with a strong focus on inclusion, community spirit and promoting active and healthy lifestyles across the Central Highlands region.

Ballarat and district residents are encouraged to attend, watch the matches and learn more about pickleball, one of the world’s fastest growing sports in popularity throughout Ballarat and the wider Central Highlands.