Pickleballers win big at Pan Pacific Masters

LOCAL pickleballers have a reached a new milestone, accumulating just as many medals at an International event for the first time in the club’s history.

Ocean Grove Pickleball Club picked up nine bronze medals, two silver medals and three gold medals on the Gold Coast at the Pan Pacific Masters Games held in mid-November.

Club founder Fran Kealey said the club had been in operation for two years, off and on due to COVID.

However, pickleball has grown in strength and numbers over the past 12 months and the group of 14 players felt confident enough to venture to the Gold Coast to compete.

“Representing the Bellarine and Ocean Grove in particular was very special and it was noted how our members physically and vocally supported each other when playing our games,” Kealey said.

Kealey was a bronze medalist, who along with her husband and silver medallist Terry, began the Ocean Grove Pickleball Club and was thrilled with the result.

“Our players are competitive on a national level and competed to a high standard representing the club admirably,” she said.

Medals were awarded to the following players in different categories and divisions.

Bronze Medal: Leigh Dunne and Fiona Bond, Fran Kealey and Lea Preece, Sue Garlick and Viv Daniels (women’s doubles); Fiona Bond and Kevin Ryan, Lee and Roy Preece (mixed doubles)
Silver Medal: Terry Kealey and Roy Preece (men’s doubles)
Gold Medal: Kevin Ryan and Danny Bodycoat, Roy Preece (men’s doubles).

Anyone who wants to learn to play pickleball can phone Terry Kealey on 0408 556 697 or email [email protected]