We’re getting into a bit of Pickleball

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The manager at St Osmund’s Sports Centre in Dorchester has been talking to The West Dorset Magazine, about the growth in popularity of pickleball at the centre, since the introduction of the sport in October last year. Nicole Smith says that from humble beginnings, numbers of participants have swelled to the point that new outdoor facilities are now being constructed. Nicole said: “We are thrilled to promote this new sport and excited to announce that work has started on our outdoor, purpose-built, floodlit pickleball courts. It was quite a slow start at Ossies and we only had five players turn up for the free taster that we offered, but it’s really grown from that point. Now we have around 50 regular players and it’s getting busier all the time.

“We have been playing indoors on four courts and offer sessions for beginners, juniors and club players, and we also host competitive matches. The school is one of the first to introduce pickleball into the sports curriculum and we would like to thank them for purchasing all the equipment needed to promote this sport and for allowing us to develop the outside area.”

Dorset Pickleball representative, David Bates, was instrumental in helping to set up the sport at St Osmund’s. David said: “I was delighted to help with getting Ossies set up and gain their affiliation to Pickleball England. Pickleball is rapidly expanding in West Dorset. As well as the growth in Dorchester, Bridport now has established more sessions and gained support from their local sports centre.

Sherborne and Weymouth both had entrants in last weekend's English Open at Telford where more than 1,000 competitors took part.

“It is often said pickleball is easy to learn yet hard to master. The game is attractive to all age groups, from juniors through to those who are 70-plus.”

According to Pickleball England’s website, Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, over a net. Pickleball evolved from being a backyard game in the United States in the 1960s and its growth in popularity in Dorset in being mirrored across the UK, with a 40-court facility at Telford hosting this week’s England Open.

St Osmund’s offer a range of sessions and would love to hear from anybody looking to give the sport a try. Nicole said: “We think we have something for everyone at Ossie’s. We offer pay and play sessions and people can book a court any time we are open.

“In addition, we run two membership clubs. Dorchester Dinkers play on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 11.30am. Our other club, U3A Pickleball, meet on Mondays from 5pm to 6pm.

“We ran a successful free taster event in Borough Gardens on

27th July, which was enjoyed by over 100 members of the public of all ages and fitness levels. Once our four new outdoor courts are painted, we will plan another open day at the school.” For bookings and further information on pickleball at St Osmunds, please get in touch with the team at sportscentre@ stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

For enquiries regarding other clubs in West Dorset, please contact David Bates on david.bates@btinternet.com n Weymouth's Jurassic Coasters scooped two medals at the Pickleball England Open at the weekend, with James Mathie bagging a silver in the 18-30 category, at the 4.0 level. Colin Kilpatrick also won silver in the 50+ age group, at the 3.0 level.