Come and try pickleball! – the world’s fastest growing sport explained
Pickleball is the latest sport launching in West Berkshire – and free taster sessions are up for grabs.
What is pickleball?
Currently the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong to create a fun and challenging game for people of all ages and abilities.
It was invented in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in 1965 and is currently played by over nine million people across the pond.
A less intense and physical alternative to full scale tennis thanks to its smaller courts, paddles and balls, it was America’s fastest-growing sport three years in a row from 2021 to 2023.
What are the rules?
As Pickleball England explain in their official rules guidance: “The ball is served underhand from the right side of the court and is played diagonally across to the other service court.
“The defending side has to let the ball bounce first before it can be returned and, subsequently, the serving side also has to let the ball bounce. It is only on the third hit that the ball can be returned immediately.
“Points can only be scored by the serving side. You win a point if the defending side does not manage to return the ball, hits the ball out, does not let the serve ball bounce, volleys in the non-volley zone, or is hit by the ball.
“When a player loses a point, his or her partner serves from the side of the court where he or she is standing at that moment.
“The game ends when one of the parties gets 11 points, with a 2-point lead.”
What’s on offer in West Berkshire?
In recognition of its rising popularity, several leisure centres across West Berkshire have launched regular pickleball sessions.
These include Northcroft Leisure Centre, Hungerford Leisure Centre, Cotswold Sports Centre and Kennet Leisure Centre, all of which are run by Everyone Active in partnership with West Berkshire Council.
There is a coached session at Cotswold Sports Centre from 10.30am until 11.30am every Monday, while casual bookable sessions are now available at Kennet Leisure Centre, Northcroft Leisure Centre and Hungerford Leisure Centre. Each session will be open to all abilities.
To celebrate the launch of pickleball, a complimentary taster session will be held at Cotswold Sports Centre on Monday, August 26, from 10.30am until 11.30am, and at Kennet Leisure Centre on Thursday, August 29, from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.
A word from the organisers
Callum Yates, activity and wellbeing manager for Everyone Active in West Berkshire, said: “Pickleball is a fantastic sport that can be played by all ages and abilities. It’s easy to see why the sport is becoming so popular.
“That’s why we’re so excited to launch our brand-new pickleball sessions across West Berkshire and encourage the community to get active with this fun and unusual sport.
“We urge residents to come and try it out for free at our upcoming taster sessions and join the 12,000-plus people in the UK who have caught the pickleball bug!”
Councillor Nigel Foot, West Berkshire’s executive member for culture, leisure, sport and countryside, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to try out a brand-new sport. It’s great to have such a wide selection of activities available so that there’s something for everyone.”
To book, visit the Everyone Active website and find your local centre.
