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Mahurangi Pickleball Club has been serving up its first rallies in the region for the past 11 years and has grown into a thriving community, with members ranging from 13 to a very young 91.
The club was founded by Jason and Lyndsay Best after they returned from Canada in 2015. The first sessions were held at Matakana Community Hall and Snells Beach Community Centre, attracting between 10 and 18 players.
Since August 2025, the club has operated as an incorporated society under the official name Mahurangi Pickleball Club Incorporated. It now has 218 members, with an average of nine new members joining each month over the past seven months, allowing the club to access funding opportunities and continue expanding.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball, making it a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
Club chairperson Christine Green said the sport has grown rapidly in popularity and appealed to players regardless of their age, fitness level or experience.
“Pickleball is mostly played indoors in New Zealand, which is really convenient given our weather,” Christine said.
“We held a youth session during the school holidays and had 20 young people aged between 13 and 18 take part.”
Although she says pickleball is not an easy sport, she believes it is more accessible than tennis because players cover less ground on a smaller court, making it less physically demanding for many people.
Christine joined the club just before the Covid-19 pandemic after being unable to continue playing tennis following 40 years in the sport.
She says pickleball not only gave her a new sporting outlet but also introduced her to a community she now considers family.
“I think people should come along and give it a try because, besides being a lot of fun, they’ll also find a wonderful community. Never be afraid to come along and try it.”
The club also hosts its own championships and competes in interclub events against teams from Browns Bay, Waipū, Whangārei and Kerikeri, with six or seven competitions held each year.
“We also have two talented 14-year-old players who will compete at the New Zealand Championships in Albany this October,” Christine said.
Annual membership costs $20 per person. Non-members are also welcome to attend sessions for $10 per visit.
