Our first pickleball tournament at the Hawkesbury PCYC centre in Windsor last weekend was a huge success! 444 competitors from 11 to 77 years enjoyed testing themselves against players with similar DUPR ratings in fiercely contested matches. 50 events catered for players of all ages and skill levels. It was fantastic to see so many people enter their first tournament. In addition, the increasing number of young players was remarkable – over 100 players were under 40 years.

Congratulations to gold medal winners of some key events:

• Women’s Open Doubles – Donna Jay & Jessica Williams
• Men’s Open Doubles – Hayden Paterick & Mikey Williams
• Junior Coed Doubles - Olivia Prestidge & Riya Bondili (Girl Power!)
• Hybrid Doubles – Jordan Brown & Chris Lam

After last July’s wash out at Gosford, we decided to hold this year’s winter tournament indoors. Ironically, the weather conditions this time were perfect! Many players commented on how much they appreciated the excellent facilities.

This is one of three tournaments each year hosted by the Pickleball NSW committee, who organise these events on a voluntary basis. Thanks to all the volunteers during the event, from Jane our score entry queen to the players who helped pull up the orange tape on Sunday evening. These events are possible thanks to people who volunteer their time, including most of the referees. The only people who received payment were Matt Hort, our talented tournament director, David Jay and Chris Gibson, our wise head referees and the hard working contractors who set up/packed away nets and transported our equipment to and from the venue. Our next tournament will be the outdoor tournament at Gosford at the end of November - registrations will open on Pickleball.com during August. 

Matt Noone
Tournament Organiser, PANSW