Pickleball boom hits courts across the peninsula

PICKLEBALL is riding a wave of growth across Victoria, and Bellarine clubs are right in the middle of the surge.

Pickleball Victoria’s latest figures show the state now has more than 1,000 registered players across 26 clubs and community groups, with 61 per cent of current members joining in 2025 alone.

Nationally, Pickleball Australia reports more than 24,000 members at the end of 2025, cementing the sport as one of the country’s fastest–growing social competitions.

Ocean Grove Pickleball Club president Terry Kealey said that an explosion in interest is being felt on local courts.

The club, established in late 2019, has grown from half a dozen players after COVID restrictions eased to more than 240 members, with waiting lists for many sessions.

“It’s the most accessible sport I’ve ever seen,” he said. “We’ve got eight-year-olds through to people in their eighties wanting to play.”

“Within half an hour people are on court, having success and having fun. There’s not many sports where you can do that.”

Kealey said the club now runs multiple sessions every day, and demand is still climbing.

A new partnership with the Ocean Grove Bowls Club has seen one rink converted into eight pickleball courts, with a “come and try” morning tomorrow (Saturday, February 7) giving newcomers an easy way to step onto the court.

In Leopold, the story is similar.

Leopold Pickleball Club formed around two years ago after initially operating under Ocean Grove, and has since carved out its own identity.

Secretary Raeleene Maxwell said the club now has more than 100 members, with about 50 regulars playing two or three times a week.

“The growth has been huge, there’s absolutely no doubt,” she said.

“There are venues popping up all over Geelong and waiting lists to get into sessions – it’s just huge now.”

Maxwell said much of that growth comes down to word–of–mouth and the sport’s inclusive feel.

“Someone hears about pickleball, comes along, thinks it’s great and brings two or three friends – and then they bring friends too,” she said.

“Anybody can come along and try. You don’t have to be a superstar – you just need a bit of hand-eye co-ordination and a good pair of shoes.”