Sport
19 May, 2026
Embrace a new sport taking the region by storm
A new sport is taking the Southern Highlands, Australia and even New Zealand by storm – pickleball.
A new sport is taking the Southern Highlands, Australia and even New Zealand by storm – pickleball.
It is a combination between badminton, tennis, and table tennis.
The group that founded the sport here in the region, known as ‘Love Pickle Club AU’ now has clubs and leagues starting up across the Eastern seaboard of Australia and even further afield, with the opening of the largest dedicated pickle ball venue in New Zealand, based in Wellington, as well as what Love Pickle AU group founder Shaun Pounder describes as ‘one of our best ‘lifestyle venues’ in the Sydney suburb of Manly, which will contain 11 courts (8 outdoor and 3 indoor) as well as a beer garden, mezzanine level for spectators and even a café.
Mr Pounder said the response to the sport’s foundation has been amazing.
“Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and NZ right now,” he said.
“It is played on a court one quarter the size of a tennis court, and with a plastic ball with holes in it. It also has longer rallies, which makes it easier to play.”
He also said that pickleball is usually played in a doubles format, which involves less running around up and down the court.
“The beauty of pickleball is that it appeals to all ages – from 5 to 95,” Mr. Pounder said.
“Tennis is so much harder to learn, whereas pickle ball doesn’t take nearly as long to learn – in fact we’ve got people already playing quite well in local leagues.”
Pickle ball is also like tennis in that it can be played both indoors and outdoors.
“We currently play on indoor courts at Moss Vale (at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium on Parkes Rd) and in Hilltop (30 Cumberteen St, at the Hilltop Community Centre) but we are looking to open an outdoor venue at some stage soon – with a location yet to be confirmed,” Mr. Pounder said.
Pickle ball is also reasonably affordable, with a two-hour session only costing $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
“That’s only $5 – 7.50 per hour for 2 hours, which is less than a cup of coffee in some places!” Mr. Pounder said.
Sessions at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium are currently held on Tuesdays (10am – 12 noon & 12 noon – 2pm), Thursdays (also 10am – 12 noon & 12 noon – 2pm) and Saturdays (9am – 11am & 11am – 1pm).
And at the Hill Top venue, there are currently sessions held on Saturdays from 1:30pm – 3:30pm, with more sessions to come.
To find out more about Love Pickle Club AU, go to their dedicated app on your mobile phone (it can be found on both Apple and Android devices), by typing in ‘Love Pickle Club AU’, downloading the app, create your account on the app and then book in a time that suits you.
Read More: Moss Vale, Hill Top, Southern Highlands