Pickleball has emerged as the world’s fastest‑growing sport, not only for its accessibility but for its blend of strategy, social connection, and sheer enjoyment. Across the Loddon Campaspe region, local sessions are drawing crowds of first‑timers, seasoned players, and retirees rediscovering their competitive spark.
We spoke with Brendon Booth from Fair Dinkin Pickleball Academy, aka Coach Boothy, to explore the sport’s benefits, its rise in regional communities, and why pickleball is proving to be much more than a passing trend.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world, and once you've played it, it's not hard to see why. It's played on a court about a third of the size of a tennis court, with a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes in it (yes, like a wiffle ball). The rules are simple enough to pick up in ten minutes, but there's enough depth and strategy to keep you hooked for years.
The best way I can describe it is this: imagine if tennis, badminton, and ping pong had a baby, and that baby was obsessed with having a good time. It's social by nature, it rewards smart play over brute strength, and it's genuinely fun from your very first point. All ages, all fitness levels, all abilities. It really is for everyone.
What are the benefits of pickleball?
Where do you start? The physical benefits are obvious: it gets you moving, improves your reflexes, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness, and it's much kinder on the joints than tennis or running. But honestly, the physical side is almost a bonus.
The real magic of pickleball is what happens off the court. I've watched people walk into a session barely knowing anyone and leave an hour later swapping numbers and making plans for next week. It breaks down barriers really quickly, probably because everyone starts as a beginner and the learning curve is part of the fun. There's something about laughing at your own mistakes together that brings people together fast.
In regional communities especially, it fills a genuine gap: low-cost, low-barrier, high-reward social activity that you can keep doing well into your 70's and 80's. We've got players in their mid-70's at our Loddon sessions who are absolutely giving the youngsters a run for their money.
Your favourite pickleball experience?
I could give you a highlight reel answer here, but the one that sticks with me most happened during one of our sessions out in Newbridge. We had twelve people turn up, many of whom had never touched a paddle before, and by the end of the session the laughing and the chatter and the "just one more game" energy out on the court was something else. Nobody wanted to leave.
That moment crystallised why I coach. It wasn't about technique or tactics, it was about watching people discover something joyful together. I drove home that day absolutely buzzing. Those are the sessions you don't forget.
Anything else you would like to add?
Just this: you don't need to be fit, fast, young, or athletic to start. You need to show up, be willing to have a crack, and not take yourself too seriously. The sport will do the rest.
We ran sessions across the Loddon Campaspe region and watched the community grow week by week. If pickleball hasn't made it to your town yet, it's only a matter of time. Keep an eye out, and when it does, come and give it a go. Bring a mate, or come on your own. Either way, you'll leave with a smile on your face and a slightly unhealthy new obsession. Don't say I didn't warn you.
For more information, visit the Fair Dinkin Pickleball Academy website or follow Coach Boothy's Facebook page.
