New sport to try at the Y

WITH their first sessions held earlier this month, staff at YMCA Bannockburn are introducing a growing court-based racquet sport to the region.

Pickleball sessions are now taking place each Wednesday as part of an ongoing program at the site.

YMCA Geelong chief operating officer Greg Mason said pickleball is being brought to the region in response to its growing popularity.

“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and it’s gone crazy in the US,” he said.

“Down in Geelong an on the Bellarine Peninsula, there’s a Drysdale Pickleball Club and Ocean Grove club and they started some two years ago with five, 10 members and that’s grown to 200-plus people.

“It’s an incredibly fast-growing sport and great for all ages. It’s similar to tennis but on a smaller court with a different type of ball, bounce, and racquet.”

With four indoor courts available, current sessions can cater for a maximum 16 participants.

The initial session saw accredited coaches with the Drysdale Pickleball Club assisting newcomers to the sport.

Mr Mason said he’s excited to see the program develop further at Bannockburn.

“This will roll on indefinitely and we’ll probably look at more timeslots,” he said. “We’ll continue all through term one and whether it transitions into a club or whatever, it’ll be community driven.

“We’re already hitting our 16 to 18 capacity and if we go up to 30 people we’ll need either more courts or more spaces and timeslots. We’ve got the flexibility.”

Pickleball sessions will run from 5pm to 7pm at YMCA Bannockburn with no bookings required.

Attendees must be aged 16 or older to participate, and all subsequent sessions will cost $7.50 following an initial free try.