Pickleball hits the courts of Lawley Park Tennis Club with first cup competition

Lawley Park Tennis Club successfully completed its inaugural Brian Humphries Pickleball Corporate Cup competition on Tuesday with Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre and South Regional Albany TAFE taking part in the event.

ALAC took out first spot followed by AEC in second place and TAFE rounded out the top three for the afternoon.

As part of its introduction of pickleball to the Albany Community, four corporate teams played each other over the past three weeks.

Pickleball is best described as quarter-court tennis, played with a solid bat or paddle and an aerate plastic ball.

The winners are those first to 11 points, with a winning margin of two required after 10-all.

It can be played as a doubles or singles game with the average game lasting about 15 minutes.

It’s the fastest growing sport in North America and is taking off in Australia with its popularity growing with all age groups.

Given that it is less stressful on the body than tennis, Lawley Park introduced it in part to re-engage ageing and previously injured tennis players back to the tennis court.

All are welcome to play pickleball at Lawley Park each Thursday and Sunday from 1.30pm.

Club membership is $110 for the season plus a $2 ball fee for the afternoon and all the requirements to play the sport are supplied by the club.

Local businesses and organisations interested in participating in future corporate cup competitions at the club either at lunchtime or after work are invited to contact Jenny Rickerby on 0409448130.