GAME CENTRE
Newcastle Basketball is excited to announce a partnership with Hunter Pickleball which will see one of the fastest growing sports in Australia played out of our Broadmeadow stadium three days a week. Hunter Pickleball hosts social play at various facilities across Newcastle, but the move to Newcastle Basketball is seen as a major coup due to the central location and additional space the basketball stadium provides.
John Morris, President of Hunter Pickleball explained what the move to Newcastle Basketball will mean for their members. “There are times when we have as many people sitting on the sidelines as are on court, so the additional courts will allow us to get more people playing. It will also allow us to start promoting the sport again which we haven’t been able to do for a while”, he said.
To accommodate the new competitions, nine Pickleball courts have been installed across basketball courts 1-3. Newcastle Basketball General Manager, Matt Neason, said that “Pickleball and Basketball are a perfect pairing. We are at capacity from 3pm onwards each day, but Pickleball often runs during daytime hours where we have the extra capacity.
Building relationships with other sports is also a critical piece as we seek additional funds to complete the second phase of the Hunter Basketball Stadium. Government wants to get behind multi-sport projects, so helping people understand that the new stadium will support the broad community, and not just basketball is important”, Neason said.
The new look Pickleball sessions will run Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10am-12pm. The first session is scheduled for Monday 29 January just after the Australia Day long weekend, and it couldn’t be easier for new participants to come and try. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to test their skills free of charge for the first two sessions they attend. You’ll be supported by current members in learning how to play in a fun and friendly environment. The first week of social play runs Monday 29 January, Tuesday 30 January and Friday 2 February. Just turn up at the stadium for a 10am start.
To find out more about Hunter Pickleball and their competitions head to www.hunterpickleball.com.au.
