By Ron Lane
To get a new sport up and running is not the easiest of jobs.
However, for those involved in consolidating and promoting the sport of Pickleball in our local community, their efforts are definitely starting to show results. Keeping us abreast of the latest news, Noosa Pickleball spokesman Woody Dass said, “Several tennis clubs across Southeast Queensland are now hosting pickleball sessions throughout the week. The sport continues to grow exponentially.”
There are now 4000 players in 12 registered centres across Queensland. The sport is described as being a cross between tennis badminton and table tennis: it can be played indoors or outdoors, on a badminton-sized court: usually in doubles but can also be played as singles- and a game takes 10 to 25 minutes.
At a recent tournament played at the Noosa Leisure Centre, I was surprised at the speed of the game and also the number of younger people now hitting the court. Originally considered as an older persons’ game the young are now getting the bug and this is, of course, a good thing.
The club members play at the Noosa Tennis Club every Sunday morning- attracting 16-20 players on a regular basis. The tennis clubs’ hard courts, offer an excellent venue, to temporarily line out six pickleball courts, using specialised masking tape and portable nets. Both clubs are now collaborating to widen and extend their concrete hit up wall area, thus creating a dual- purpose space which will include Noosa’s first pickleball court. The new court will be available for play next month.
Funds for the project, were awarded to Noosa Pickleball Club by Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Now a very progressive and fast- growing sport, they would like to speak to anyone interested in playing the game: remember, this is now an international sport with big clubs spread all around the USA. For more info, you are cordially invited to make contact by visiting the Pickleball Queensland website at pickleballqueensland.org
When we look at the local pickleball competition calendar, it gives us some indication as to growth of this sport in south -east Queensland: don’t forget, it is still rated as the fastest growing sport in America.
One of the first major tournaments for our locals would be the Queensland Pickleball Titles 23-25 July at the Queensland Tennis Centre Tennyson. Following this will be the Brisbane Doubles Open, 11-12 September at a place TBA; 2021, Australian Titles 1-4 October, Newcastle; 2021, Pan Pacific Masters Games 6-8 November, Currumbin.
To fully understand the growth in membership within Queensland of this crazy American sport that only a short time ago no-one had ever heard of, these are but a few of the communities that have started to take this game to heart: Beenleigh, Bribie, Gold Coast (five venues), Redlands, Townsville, Tully, Mission Beach and Yeppoon. There is an even bigger list of places that have started the game but are just waiting for their official acceptance into the ranks of the official governing body.
But that is not all. The PAQ has now made a film clip, now available on YouTube, to promote the game in our schools. If you want to spread the word, ‘’getum young and teach them.” Good luck to all involved.
On 31 JULY, the NOOSA BOX Office, run by Israel Kane, will host an amateur boxing tournament to be held at their gym .We can look forward to a good night of boxing, with a minimum of 30 fights on the program with bouts catering for boxers from 10 years and up. With the night being under the supervision of Israel, himself a former professional super middleweight champion, you can rest assured of a well-run tournament.
Situated on Project Avenue Noosaville, the gym, which was started in 2002, is somewhat unique with what can be only described as an internal upstairs running track.
In discussions with owner/head coach Israel Kani, he could not be happier. “At present things for us are looking very good, positive and progressive. For example, the structure of the weight divisions is back to being near professional and of course this is much better. Also, our membership is good with a lot of young lads coming through. Our three members who are now fighting as professionals are indeed doing very well and at present we are looking forward to the amateur state and national titles.”
There are two sides to a coin: thus, at times it can be very interesting to look on the other side, to see just what some of our successful coaches and trainers are doing outside of their chosen sport.
Just a bit inland from Tewantin, there is a small group of people who have formed the Pomona Cooroy Suicide Prevention Group. As the name implies, it is set up to assist those with mental health problems, problems that have taken them beyond the norm.
One of their procedures is to hold what they have named the Saturday morning Barbwire Bar-B-Q, a gathering to help those in need. The name which they “borrowed” from a similar organisation in Kenilworth, implies the hard, rugged, sharp side of life. On their first morning of this outing, located in the new Impact Gym, Taylor Court Cooroy, some 22 people were in attendance. The reason for using the gym was to get their people away from the coffee lounge environment into a more relaxed, happy-go-lucky atmosphere. The people responsible were more than happy.
One of the organisers was a foundation member, Mark Evans, better known to many of our local community sportsmen, as the owner/boxing coach of one of Australia’s most successful amateur boxing clubs, the Cooroy Impact Boxing Academy: the home of many champions, both state and national. Add to this he also holds, for the third, two- year term in succession, the office of president Boxing Queensland.
However, his concern doesn’t stop there, for he is also involved in other organisations, some of which are in our schools. These have been formed to help that most precious of all, children in need. Many thanks to Mr Evans and his workmates for their contribution to a better way of life for those in need.
For the Ray White Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union last weekend was better than average. The Under 19s Colts went down on the last kick of the game to Maroochydore. The ladies, playing in the mud and the rain, defeated Maroochydore, 36-0 and the Noosa Reserve grade came home winners against Gympie, 55-12.
For the A grade playing at Maroochydore for the John Curry Cup, the final result of 48-19 Dolphins, put smiles on the faces a lot of Noosa supporters. Noosa led 43-7 at half time, but Maroochy put up a fight second half, to win that half, 12 points to 3. However, dominating the first half, Noosa had done too much damage and the final score stood at 48-19. This weekend, Noosa will be home to Caloundra and all games are now vital as they lead up to the finals.
