PIMBY = Pickleball, In My Backyard

How to have Pickleball close to where you live.

● Talk to a few friends and check out the YouTube clips to form a nucleus of pioneers

● Seek a venue. Preferably indoors, suitable for at least two pickleball courts. Pickleball courts are the same size as badminton courts. The basketball court can accommodate three Pickleball courts.

● Find a place where you can book a session as an introductory day and for ongoing sessions. Probably you will want your regular ongoing session to be through the week, but the Introductory Come and Play Day would be better on the weekend.

● Pickleball Australia and Pickleball Queensland can help. For the Come and Play day to supply two portable nets, paddles and balls, and some experienced players to demonstrate the game and assist newcomers onto the court.

● Decide if it is free or you will make a nominal charge. Charging say ten dollars per person makes their booking more secure and you learn contact details beforehand.

● Notify local organisations of the Come and Play Day, especially P&Cs for the schools, Service Clubs, local sports clubs such as tennis, badminton, table tennis and martial arts.  Prepare a notice or pamphlet and place in local shops and offices.

● Notify local Councillor, Parliamentarians (Federal & State), Church groups, community organisations,

● Notify local medical practices, physios, rehabilitation therapists, Yoga and Pilates teachers. Notify the Residents Association and local Lifestyle Villages.

● Advertise the event on Meet Up and Facebook.

● There is no way of knowing how many people will attend, so set a start and finish time, and allow two hours. Do not provide food. Provide water, arrange for a coffee cart to be present or similar.

● On entry, every person to complete an attendance form or sign on form, to capture contact details and the participants confirmed that they are suitably fit to play; and are willing to be photographed. Also, an acknowledgement that they are not covered by insurance as they are not yet members of the club.

● Provide information flyers to attendees. Vary them to suit school students; sportspeople; transitioning tennis players; over 50s. Key information to be provided after the session by email in a few days.

● On the day, Conduct a demonstration game with a commentary of play.

● Provide an introduction to the history and rules for the game. Invite people to come on to the court for play, adjust to a game of seven points

● Conduct Free Play session (to 11 points for games)

● Offer a photograph to be emailed to each of the players. Seek to conduct a video clip interview with new players, have the pickleball banners in the background. Seek interviews with your target group for the planned ongoing sessions of regular play.

● After pack down of equipment, debrief and thank your helpers.

● Offer a session within a fortnight and include experienced players.

❏ A setup kit ($2,000) for two courts comprises: 2 portable nets; 12 indoor balls; 8 paddles; floor tape for marking lines; and will be provided on the basis of cost reimbursement within the first year as the group of players expands.

❏ Pickleball Australia will assist by providing a website and pages on the National website, which you can update as required starting with photos from the Come and Play Day.

❏ When a group of regular players is established, trial a session at a different time to attract a wider set of players.

❏ Join Pickleball Australia and Pickleball in your State. The Club represents a Local Government area; or be under the umbrella of an existing club and operate as a venue for that club. Brisbane Pickleball Club can provide pamphlet and letter templates to alter to suit your community and locality.