Pickleball boom continues as inaugural Ocean Grove Classic draws national crowd

PLAYERS from across the country descended on the Bellarine last week for the inaugural Ocean Grove Pickleball Classic.

 

The two-day over-60s competition was the first of its kind and attracted more than 160 players to the Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre.

Local players Katy Grove and Kaz Shirley were among those celebrating after claiming bronze in the 60+ 3.0–3.49 rating competition.

 

“We were a bit excited. We might have hugged each other and jumped up and down,” Shirley said.

The pair play across multiple clubs in Geelong and admit they are “addicted” to the growing sport.

 

With no more than 120 players initially expect to compete, Shirley said seeing so many competitors take to the courts was a promising sign for the sport’s future.

The tournament’s success comes as pickleball continues to surge in popularity, with Ocean Grove Pickleball Club vice-president Fran Kealey saying demand is now beginning to outpace available courts.

 

“It’s grown organically because of word of mouth and people playing and wanting to play more,” she said.

“It’s just been incredible; we can’t keep up.”

 

Kealey said the club had been working behind the scenes to ensure its growing player base can continue accessing the sport.

While pickleball is played by people of all ages, she said it had proven particularly popular among older players looking to remain active and competitive.

 

With four pickleball courts able to fit within the space of a single basketball court, the game is also more accessible for players who may struggle to cover larger playing surfaces.

Kealey said the close quarters can also make the game “quite intense”.

 

“It is accessible for those seniors who may have played tennis but now the courts are too big or it’s a bit too fast,” she said.

“This gives us an opportunity to play a ball sport, use hand-eye coordination and have a wonderful social event to participate in.

 

“It’s so good to see people moving in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.”

Following the success of the inaugural tournament, the club hopes to make the Ocean Grove Pickleball Classic an annual event.