Jersey’s first accredited pickleball club is set to launch this week, with organisers hoping to make one of the world’s fastest-growing sports more accessible to Islanders.
Rock Pickleball has been established in partnership with St Clement’s Sports Hub and Jersey Sport.
The club will be based at the hub’s newly resurfaced outdoor courts and was launched in response to the increasing popularity of pickleball.
According to the club, more than 25 million people now play the sport worldwide.
Participation in the UK has risen by 65% over the past year, with more than 40,000 people now playing pickleball recreationally and competitively across the home nations.
Rock Pickleball chair Sean Pontin said the club’s priority was to make the sport accessible to as many people as possible and encourage more islanders to try it.
“Our focus this summer is simply to give the community the opportunity to give it a go,” he said.
“We are grateful that St Clement’s [Sports Hub] is supporting us to offer a number of free sessions to people who haven’t played before and to people who might not think they can.
“Perhaps those where affordability might be issue or people with a disability. Whoever you are, we want people to feel able to just come and give it a go.”
Mr Pontin said the club also wanted to build on the work already taking place to grow pickleball in Jersey, rather than compete with existing venues and groups.
“We are also very aware that lots of great work has already taken place to get pickle on the map in Jersey,” he added.
“Our goal is very much to make sure what we are offering complements that rather than competes with other venues and set ups.”
Rock Pickleball will host two free social sessions on Wednesday 29 July and Friday 31 July from 6pm to 8pm for people who have played before and want to meet other players.
Regular Wednesday and Friday evening sessions will begin from 5 August, costing £5 per player.
Further beginner sessions and community initiatives will also be introduced over the coming months.
Rock Pickleball has achieved Green Status under Jersey Sport’s Safe and Sustainable Sport Framework and is affiliated with Pickleball England.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a popular paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
It is played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net, using a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball.
Pickleball can be played with either two or four players. Like tennis, it is played as singles (one player on each side) or doubles (two players on each side).
