About Pickleball

Fast becoming one of the most popular racket sports in the world, Pickleball brings together some of the best elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, into a fun and exciting game for people of all ages and abilities.

 Pickleball is a great game for all ages – it is based more on control and reactions rather than just power and as it’s on a smaller court, doubles doesn’t require as much movement as other sports.

Pickleball was founded in 1965 by Joel Prichard in Washington. There are two potential stories for how the sport got its name. The first is that the sport takes its name from the term ‘pickle boat’ which is used to describe a crew of rowers that have been put together at random for a race. Joel’s wife, Joan who was a keen rower, said the sport reminded her of a pickle boat because it’s played by random groups of people who were often leftover from other sports.

The other story comes from the Pritchard’s neighbours, who claimed it was named after their family dog ‘Pickles’. The dog would apparently run across the garden with a Wiffle ball (similar to a pickleball) and play with it, hence the sport was named after the dog.

Pickleball

As a certified Pickleball trainer, Phil has recently introduced this fun game at Sanderstead Village Lawn Tennis Club (SVLTC).  The club now has 2 multi-purpose marked Pickleball-Tennis courts and offer a £40 annual Pickelball membership. Phil kindly donated 8 paddles to the club which can be used by members to give the game a try. 

The Pickleball club membership allows members to play pickleball in their own time, outside of club group tennis sessions, as well as being able to join in the club's group pickleball sessions on Tuesday evenings in the summer from 6pm onwards, and sometimes on Sunday afternoons.  Members also benefit from discounted rates at Phil's coach-led sessions regularly held at the club.  Further information can be found here. 

Contact Phil for Pickelball training.