Looking for a sport which all the whole family can play? Pickleball could be just the game for you. Jane McGowan gets in on the racket...
According to Pickleball England, around 65,000 people now play regularly across the land, with the body’s membership surging dramatically to 18,000 over the past three years.
The South East has emerged as one of the country’s busiest hubs for participation and venue growth, with leisure centres, tennis clubs and health clubs all rushing to meet demand.
Centres across South West London and Surrey are increasingly adding pickleball sessions to their traditional tennis programming.
Pickleball near you
The Lensbury, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9NU. A private members’ club which offers three brand-new, floodlit pickleball courts where children are allowed to play alongside family members.
Visit: lensbury.com
Hampton Sports & Fitness Centre: Hanworth Road, Hampton, TW12 3HB. A council-backed leisure centre in the borough offering pickleball sessions for all.
Visit: better.org.uk
Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Molesey KT8 0BT. Available to club members of all ages, as well as pay & play court bookings.
Visit: imbercourt.com
Foxhills, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0EL. A private members’ club, where families are welcome.
Visit: foxhills.co.uk
redhill tennis club
So why the sudden success?
“It’s very easy to get going,” says Andy Owen, pickleball coach at Redhill Tennis Club, where pickleball membership has gone from zero to 100 in just 12 months.
“Unlike some racket sports, it has an easy entry point, and people rapidly get better, which means they maintain their interest.”
Part of the game’s distinctive appeal, he says, lies in its simplicity.
The court is smaller than a tennis court, rallies are longer, and the underarm serve reduces the intimidation factor for beginners.
Parents can play with children, older adults can compete comfortably with younger players, and mixed-ability games are common.
“Pickleball levels the playing field. Grandparents and grandkids can play together because the relatively small court enables older players to move around as much as they need to cover the ground.”
Moreover, explains Andy, pickleball is an ideal entry sport for children, as it combines physical activity, coordination, social interaction and confidence building in a format that feels fun rather than intimidating.
“You also don’t need a lot of expensive kit – just trainers in the first instance. Many places will have paddles and balls that people can borrow, and if you want to buy the kit, it all starts off at a very reasonable price.”
Not as formal as tennis, pickleball is played with a paddle that is lighter than a traditional tennis racket, while the perforated plastic ‘pickle’ ball travels more slowly than a tennis ball. That gives children more time to react and rally successfully, fostering an early sense of achievement.
Hand-eye coordination is one area in which the sport can really help. Because rallies tend to last longer, children repeatedly practise timing, tracking movement and controlling shots.
These skills transfer naturally to other sports such as tennis, badminton and cricket, and even to goalkeeping in football.
Pickleball also encourages agility, balance and movement without placing excessive strain on growing bodies. The underarm serve and compact court reduce the risk of overuse injuries sometimes associated with high-impact junior tennis training.
“It’s a social game,” reflects Andy. “If you, as a family, join a club, your children will have the opportunity to meet and play with lots of different people.”
And should your child want to take it to the next level, there is scope for that too. Pickleball England has this year launched its Junior Pickleball League, which will see youngsters from across the South come together for a day of competition.
“You can take it as far as you want to. There are tournaments across the country and Europe, but equally, many more parents just want their children to enjoy some recreation.”
For further info about the sport: pickleballengland.org
