Frequently Asked Questions

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's played on a smaller court than tennis, with a net similar to a tennis net but slightly lower. Pickleball is easy to learn, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. Its smaller court and slower pace compared to tennis make it less physically demanding, yet it still offers plenty of opportunity for strategy and competition. It has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years and is played recreationally and competitively worldwide.Pickleball is easy to learn, highly social, and accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, making it perfect for community sport. 

Check out the video below for the Pickleball Origin Story

Check out the video below for the basic rules of Pickleball and sign up for your first 'Introductory' session via OpenSports.

What are the membership fees to join the Coasties Pickleball Club?

Annual membership at Coasties Pickleball Club costs:

• $80 for ordinary members
• $65 for senior members over 65 years
• $60 for junior member (17 years and under)

The Coasties Pickleball Club will only receive $20 of the membership fee paid. The balance of the fees is for membership of the Pickleball Australia (PAA) and the Pickleball Association of NSW (PANSW).

When you join, if you are new to Pickleball or have not previously joined Pickleball Australia (PAA), Pickleball Association of NSW (PANSW) or an affiliated club then please join Coasties Pickleball Club as a “New Member”.

If you are already a member of PAA, PANSW or an affiliated club or venue, then please join Coasties Pickleball Club as a “Returning Member” and enter your PAA number. You will pay the full amount initially but will be able to claim a refund for any duplicate fees by emailing membership@pickleballnsw.org, and provide your PAA membership number (refunds are usually processed within 1-2 days).

What are the benefits of being a Coasties Pickleball Club member?

Most importantly, you will be part of the social fabric of a fun, inclusive Pickleball Club where you can make lifelong friends. You will also be participating in the fastest growing sport in Australia and be able to connect with fellow pickleball enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Tangible benefits of membership would include:

• Priority access to Coasties social sessions and leagues
• Reduced fees for social play sessions and leagues
• Public liability insurance through Pickleball Australia for Coasties sessions
• 12 months membership renewable on your payment anniversary
• Use of club equipment (nets, balls, etc.) at Coasties sessions
• Membership automatically includes membership of Pickleball Association of NSW (PANSW) and Pickleball Australia Association (PAA)
• You will be eligible to enter PAA and PANSW competitions
• You can play at any Club or Venue which is affiliated with PAA, subject to their rules. Great for playing when you’re travelling
•  The opportunity to represent our Club in pickleball competitions
• Being entitled to vote at the AGM and have your say as to the future direction of the Club
• You will be covered by PAA’s Personal Accident Insurance when playing in club sessions and PAA-sanctioned events.
• Discounts on Club merchandise.

What will it cost to play in Coasties Pickleball Club sessions?

*Members will be given priority access to Club sessions. Sessions will be opened to Non-Members where spots are available at a cut-off point (to be confirmed). Please note that prices may vary at different Coasties locations.

Do I have to be a member to play at sessions organised by Coasties Pickleball Club?

Coasties welcome non-members to play for a maximum of 4 weeks before they must become a member to continue playing at Coasties sessions.

Are members of Coasties Pickleball Club covered by insurance?

Yes, members will be covered by PAA’s Personal Accident Insurance when playing in Coasties Pickleball Club sessions and PAA-sanctioned events. Full details of this policy and its benefits are available on the https://www.pickleballaus.org/insurance

How can I book into Coasties Pickleball Club sessions?

Coasties Pickleball Club will be using OpenSports for booking into Introductory, Social and Coaching sessions. Instructions on setting up OpenSports can be found here.

What about taking my game to the next level?

As you progress through your Pickleball journey, you may like to get a little bit more competitive. In the first instance, create a DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) account so that you can participate in the right level of social sessions while getting a feel for where your skill level fits in the wider Pickleball community. 

Once you are ready to test yourself beyond club level, it's time to sign up for a tournament; most of which are advertised via the website Pickleball Tournaments - you just need to create your account and link your DUPR account. When you actually enter a tournament, you will often have to be a member of Pickleball Australia (via Pickleball NSW) which thankfully you will become a member of as part of the sign up process when you join Coasties Pickleball Club as a member. 

Click on the links below to get into the action: