In keeping with the big expansion of Pickleball throughout the country, the Noosa Pickleball Club will be hosting the Noosa Doubles Classic Tournament, at the Noosa Leisure Centre. Because of the increasing participation, which has led to their club nearing a membership of 250, they have decided to run a tournament on 5 and 6April this year.
On Sunday the 6th some mixed events will be added thus encouraging, new members to participate. Members of the public are more than welcome to attend and see for themselves just what the fuss is all about with this new-fangled game. The club holds free introductory lessons for anyone wanting to give the world’s fastest growing sport a go. Word has it that it is an easy game to pick up, but a hard game to master.
A strong point of the sport is that it can be played by all age groups, in fact grandchildren can challenge their grandparents.
To get some idea of the growth of the game, in 2022 there was an expansion of 85.7 per cent increase on an international level. In Europe in 2023, the number of players reached 30,000 in 35 out of 50 countries, where the game is played. There is, now an estimated 70 countries throughout the world that are involved.
“At present, there are two dedicated courts at the Noosa / Tewantin sports precinct, and with the fast-growing rate of membership it is hoped that there will be more facilities open in the not-too-distant feature. The club is keen to develop sponsorships especially with local businesses and organisations.” For those interested in learning more about sponsorships contact Bob Bleicher and team on info@noosapickleballclub.Com and include “sponsorship” in the subject line.
The people in the hot seat, the subcommittee for all the above, are Sally Chapman, Ron Gatliff, Rob Hochstadt and John Murphy: following this is the all-important group responsible for the daily running of the club.
This is the behind-the-scenes group of volunteers, dedicated and hard working: Keith Bing, Bob Bleicher (President), Sally Chapman, Gina Foster, Rob Hochstadt, Cathy Maddlin, Lyn Muir and John Murphy.
To give those interested in the progress of this now international sport, here are some facts and figures. In 2024 here were 4.83 million players using an estimated 50,000 fields in America. With figures such as this, it is easy to see why this sport, created in 1965, is now the fastest growing sport in the world: and in the community of sport loving Noosa, it is also on the move. Good luck to all.
Outriggers.
According to our man in the Noosa Outriggers Club, Colin Jones, the club has started the 2025 season in great style. Last Saturday at Bells Beach in Clontarf, Brisbane a big day of racing was contested: and the results for Noosa were worthy of note.
In the short course (8km) event Team Rocco took the prize in the Golden Masters Mixes Race, while Team Jules came 2nd in the Open Women’s and Team Mabbot took 5th in Masters Women. The Men’s 8km race had Team Duff in 1st place in Masters Men and Team Bodo 1st in the Senior Masters Men.
Next came the Long Course racing for small craft. Tim Scarce won his race in the Masters Men’s and Des Mabbot won the Platinum for Men. Finally, the long course racing for women and mixed saw Team Hegarty win in Senior Masters Women and Team Frankie came home 4th in the Golden Masters Women.
Team Bodo took line honours in the Senior Masters Men’s Class and Team Rocco took 2nd: and in the 7ers, 3rd in the Golden Masters Men. For the Noosa Club it was definitely a great day of racing. “We are proud of our club,” said spokesperson Colin Jones. “It was established in 1991 making it one of Noosa’s oldest. It is situated at Chaplin Park Noosaville, and we welcome new members with open arms.’’
Surf lifesaving.
From the boat section of the Noosa Heads SLSC comes a very good and positive plan for the seasons ahead. Tabled by boat sweep Stu Cooper, it addresses not only competition plans, but also community collaboration. In this the boaties will continue to foster strong ties with the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club.
“This collaboration presents a fantastic opportunity to bring rugby players into surf boat rowing during their offseason: the summer months. We believe this partnership, will not only strengthen both clubs, but also provide a pathway for athletes to become involved in the sport.”
This Community Collaboration has been a great step in the right direction. To have two such clubs working to consolidate, is indeed great for the sporting community, as both are strongly interwoven with their sporting history: and both are team sports.
Regarding the rest of the competitive season, the Noosa boaties are well prepared for the upcoming events and are preparing for a strong showing. For the ASRL (Australian Surf Rowers League) Open, all crews are training hard to perform at their best, in this, possibly the top event of the boat season.
Following this, will be the State Titles and our junior girls, junior boys, reserve grade men’s, and master’s crews are breaking their neck to showcase their strength and skills. This will then be followed by the Australian Open. This will be a significant focus for the crews on which to finish their season. Regarded by many to be the equal of the ASRL Open, it is definitely a good way to close the season.
“The junior crews have been making excellence progress, and we are particularly excited about the development of the junior boys and girls crews. Add to this, the reserve men’s and master crews are also showing great form resulting from consistent efforts in training and racing.”
The attitude and bonding of the Noosa boaties with the Noosa Rugby is good to see. When you consider that the very first meeting of the Noosa Rugby Club, was held in the bar of the Noosa Supporters club some years ago, and the maroon and white club colours of the surf club were also chosen in the bar, it is only natural that the bonding should always be there.
The boat section, which was formed way back in 1949, is only too happy to continue this proud tradition. When it comes to pride and tradition there is nothing stronger. May this venture between rowing and rugby be one of victories and success.
