On the 23rd February 2024, another milestone was achieved - 10,000 official Pickleball Australia members.
Our State Associations, their affiliates which includes clubs, associations, community groups and businesses deserve the accolades for the work they do on a daily basis, driving participation at a grassroots level.
So why is the number 10,000 so special?
Well, this is an official number. This isn't a casual player, this is an engaged member, who joins their local club by taking out a membership, which also provides them a membership with their State Association and Pickleball Australia. These members receive a growing list of benefits from both the State and Pickleball Australia and we're excited by what the future holds for our members.
To give you a bit of an understanding of just how quickly growth occured over the last year:
- We started 2023 at just over 4,000 Pickleball Australia members.
- In 2023 we grew by 99.7%, taking us to just over 8,000 members.
- By the second week of January 2024 we had made it to 9,000 members.
- 6 weeks later we hit 10,000 members.
- As of today (12th March) we sit at 10,447 members
Where are Australia's largest clubs/associations by numbers? (Top 5)
Gold Coast Pickleball Association (QLD) - 783 members
Northern Beaches Pickleball Association (NSW) - 722 members
Brisbane Pickleball Club (QLD) - 611 members
Sunshine Coast Pickleball Club (QLD) - 589 members
Pickleball in the Park (NSW) - 443 members
Where do we sit in the world? (official membership numbers)
USA - 78,766 official members (December 2023)
Canada - 50,000 (June 2023)
England - 8,000 (February 2024)
Jen Ramamurthy, Chair of Pickleball Australia congratulated all "Thank you to everyone who has been involved in getting pickleball to the position we're in today".
"Through the strength of our clubs and associations on the ground, we have built pickleball in Australia into the powerhouse it is, in world pickleball".
"The future for pickleball in Australia is bright and my sincere gratitude goes out to all those who have joined us on this journey".