Sutherland Shire Pickleball Club to receive major funding boost

The Sutherland Shire Pickleball Club celebrated a major win alongside its 2nd Spirit of Pickleball Tournament last weekend. Cook MP Simon Kennedy announced a $590,000 investment to build nine new competition-grade pickleball courts at the event.

The announcement capped off a successful tournament with 400 registered participants. It also comes amidst explosive growth for the club, which has seen its membership surge by 168 percent in the past year, now boasting over 640 members.

Simon was delighted to present the announcment. "The community raised the need for more pickleball courts with me nine months ago. I listened, and I'm thrilled to announce that a future Coalition government will fund these courts," Mr Kennedy said.

"This was a massive community effort, we had hundreds of community members sign a petition and lobby for funding for these courts."

Garry Sheffield, President of Pickleball NSW, hailed the investment as a major boost for the sport in the state, predicting significant benefits.

"The enthusiasm for pickleball and its benefits for exercise and social engagement is driving exponential growth in Australia and mirrored in the Sutherland Shire. Sutherland Shire Pickleball Club in the top ten clubs by membership in Australia with some 640 active participants growing 20 each week and limited only by more playing venues." Garry said.

"The injection of investment into more facilities will not only provide further growth and playing opportunities for locals but will enable the hosting of competitions bringing muti-day destination visitation and benefits to local businesses" Garry added.