Racquet sports on the rebound

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the summer home of Joel Pritchard, who later served in the United Congress and as Washington's lieutenant governor. 

Pritchard and two of his friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, are credited with devising the game and establishing the rules. 

While it resembles tennis and table tennis, pickleball uses a court that is 13.4m long and 6.1m wide, the paddles are larger than those used in table tennis, and the perforated, hollow plastic ball used produces less bounce than tennis balls.

On each side of the net is a 2.1m area known as the non-volley zone (or the kitchen), where the ball must bounce before it is hit. The rules specify side-out scoring, where only the server can score a point. 

The minimal amount of bounce, the non-volley zones, and the underhanded stroke, with which all serves are made, give the game a dynamic pace. Pickleball is both fun and challenging with a combination of long rallies and a blend of soft and rapid-fire shots.

The best athletes must earn their points not purely by athleticism, power, and speed, but also through the use of positioning, patience, tactics and touch. 

Over the past three years, pickleball has been identified as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, estimated to have more than 4.8 million players. The growing popularity of the sport has been attributed to its short learning curve, appeal to a wide range of ages and fitness levels, and low startup costs.

With tournaments being held all over the world, pickleball has amassed a huge following and has even found ambassadors among the likes of former tennis great, John McEnroe, and retired American quarterback, Tom Brady. 

Pickleball Australia launched in 2020, establishing seven state and territory associations and growing the pickleball footprint ‘Down Under’. 

Each year, membership, playing opportunities, and program development continues to grow. 

The association has even created a subcommittee for senior players, with a new grant facilitating coaching clinics and tournaments for those aged 60 and older. Pickleball Australia Seniors Chairman, Terry Kealey, says pickleball “ticks all the boxes” in terms of being a fantastic sport for people of all ages and abilities. 

“It’s a great sport in particular for the older demographic as it has a high social component and there’s studies showing it’s also good for the brain due to the complex scoring system."

A minimal impact sport, Pickleball offers a great all-body workout and is great for developing balance and stability. 

“It’s also really social. You can play singles or doubles, and there’s often coffee after the games and regular functions.”

Visit Pickleball Australia's website (revolutionise.com.au/pickleballaus/club-finder) and use the handy 'find a club' search to find a club near you.

Squash was ‘the’ sport of the ‘70s and ‘80s, however, its popularity waned when privately owned suburban squash centres were sold to make way for development. 

Squash Australia CEO, Rob Donaghue, told ABC News that despite extended lockdowns, the pandemic had seen a 3% participation boost in the sport Australia-wide. 

“We might not be coming back with the mullets, the retro squash rackets, sweatbands, and the short-shorts but certainly, if you walk into some sports centres today, it’s like going back to the ‘80s,” Donaghue said. 

“It’s short and sharp. In 45 minutes you get a workout, you can play it with friends, you can play it with your partner, you can play with your kids, even families can come and play together as well.” 

While squash is becoming popular, particularly with younger generations, 64-year-old Tom Relnick says he’s one of the older players dusting off their squash racquets. 

“I used to play a lot in my early 20s but stopped when I got married and had kids. I just didn’t have the time. 

“Then out of the blue last year, a mate of mine rang me and said he’d started playing again with his son-in-law and invited me to come along. We’ve been playing two evenings a week ever since and we’re having an absolute ball. 

“There’s a group of about five of us who play, and we just book a court and whoever turns up has a hit. The thing I like is you just go hell for leather for 30 minutes and it’s like you’ve run a marathon. It’s the best cardiovascular workout you can get, in my opinion.”

While squash has been a Commonwealth Games sport since 1998, it's not yet an Olympic sport—something Squash Australia is campaigning for to be included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. 

Donaghue said the main thing was to make the point that squash was a sport for all. 

“Our Squash for All campaign will be about how we demonstrate to people that squash is a game for all but also a game that you can play anywhere,” he said. 

To find a squash club near you, visit squashaus.com.au/play/play-squash