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Fans of a racket sport that is a hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis, called Pickleball, are hoping that it will gain more traction here.
Its popularity is growing in the US, where is began in the 1960s, and also in New Zealand.
A number of local players are involved with a club, Pickleball Albany, which recently launched club nights.
One of them is local PE teacher Alistair Bain of Stanmore Bay.
Alistair, a keen squash player, tried Pickleball when visiting the US seven years ago and one game got him hooked.
He played for a while at the East Coast Bays Leisure Centre, and then at Kumeu Racquets Club where he began competing in tournaments.
Pickleball Albany organiser Matt Carter was Alister’s teammate in the doubles and the pair achieved a number of top placings.
Alistair says part of the sport’s appeal is that it is cheap and accessible. Most clubs provide equipment, so you can turn up with nothing but a pair of shoes and get going. He says it is very easy to learn and can be played by children, right up to top competition level.
“I’ve played it with my PE students and they pick it up first go,” he says.
The social side is a key reason people play Pickleball and it is also a good workout.
“You get people who have played top level squash, tennis or badminton that take it up because it focuses on fun,” Alistair says. “An ex-tennis player told me that it’s got all the fun parts of tennis without the hard work.”
