Pickleball Trial
Three trial sessions:
SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY
SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY
SUNDAY 12th MARCH (changed from 19th March due to Mothers' Day)
A Report from the 3rd session on Sunday 12th March:
The last Pickleball trial took place on Sunday on a rather windy and busy afternoon at the club. A pretty good turnout of around 25, however I think the rugby and the men’s team practice afternoon was strong competition.
This session was a combination of those who had tried previously (well done Chris and Kate for coming to all three!) and first timers and it was a busy afternoon ensuring everyone had at least one game and left with some basic understanding of the rules
Now having reached the end of our three trial sessions it would be useful to have some feedback from members, those who played, those who would still like to try and comments generally about how it fits in with the club. The idea being we will discuss at the next committee meeting whether, if there is enough interest we could play on a regular basis and if so how often, when and what format. Please reply to this email with your comments.
A Report from the 2nd session on Sunday 19th February:
The second Pickleball trial took place on Sunday on a sunny and warm afternoon run by James, Janette, Martin and myself on two courts. We had around 40 attend over the period of an hour and a half, again young and old watched and played
It is very much an inclusive game for all and a good leveller for all standards of tennis players. Everyone picked the game up really well and we switched in and out, with each game lasting about 15 minutes. After initial confusion with the scoring soon everyone was an expert!
For those who would still like to try but couldn’t make the last two sessions the last trial session will be held on Sunday 12th March at 2pm. Turn up and try a game or just come and watch. Pop it in your diaries.
A Report from the 1st session on Sunday 22nd January:
A bright sunny cold day brought 18 members down to the club to give Pickleball a try. James, Jannette, myself and Martin gave a demonstration and general outline of the rules and play began. Brief games up to 11 points gave everyone a chance to try
What was so nice was the afternoon attracted both young and old. Martha and Molly, two of our junior players picked the game up amazingly well and rather put us to shame!
Those who stayed to the bitter end were then treated to an impromptu tea and cake to round off, what was for the first trial a very successful afternoon
For those who couldn’t make it, the next turn up and try session will be on Sunday 19th February, turn up anytime between 2pm and 3.30pm and have a go………..all ages welcome!
Hi Everyone
A new year and a new game to inspire everyone at the club.
PICKLEBALL
Janette, James, Martin and I are going to run 3 Sunday afternoons at the club to let members come and either watch or try the game. The dates are the third Sunday in each of the first three months from 2pm to 3.30pm
SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY
SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY
SUNDAY 12th MARCH
A little background about the game. Founded in the USA, over the past 5 years it has proved so popular that many parks and recreation grounds have dedicated courts. The game itself is very simple, some of you may have played at The Jubilee when friends of the Jager’s kindly came to pilot it. For those who haven’t, it is rather like playing the child’s ‘bat and ball’ on the beach, the ball is plastic with holes. It is more of a ‘volley at the net’ game on a court less than half the size of a normal tennis court thus for those with aches and pains less running, however it is certainly a skilful game having watched it played at various level’s. Each game lasts around 15 minutes
Although it has not yet taken off in the UK (unlike Padel) there are thriving leagues who tend to play in local sports centres, the nearest to us are Tadworth and Guildford. It is easier to play on a hard surface but we have trialled quite successful games on clay so why not pop the date in your diary and come and see/try for yourselves
If members support is strong we will then endeavour to introduce it on a regular basis into the club schedule
We will be starting at 2pm on two courts, it’s a simple game to pick up and we will endeavour to keep switching in and out to give everyone a chance to try. The game is easy to pick up and each game duration is around 10/15 minutes
For those coming along you can look up the rules but basic ones to remember are as follows
- it's first to 11 points, you can only score a point when you are serving, when you lose a point when serving, the serve switches to the next person
- the ball needs to bounce once on the serve and once on the return then volleying is allowed but if you volley either you lose the point
- There is a no volley zone 'the kitchen' at the front of the court, if you step in and volley from there you lose the point
Sunday is looking sunny and cold and looking forward to seeing some of you there
Jane (Ferrett)
