As the dust settles on the largest pickleball event ever held in Tasmania, we want to pause and celebrate what was an extraordinary achievement for our community.

With 450+ competitors — including 165 players from interstate — this championship was truly national (and international!). Players travelled from the UK, US and NZ, and every Australian state was represented. Ages ranged from 12 to 87 years, showcasing the incredible inclusivity of our sport.

Across the weekend, a staggering 1,500 matches were played across 87 events — a phenomenal logistical feat and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.

But events of this scale don’t happen by accident. They happen because of people.

🏆 A massive shout out to our Tournament Directors, whose leadership, calm under pressure, and months of preparation made this historic event possible.

Cath Griffin

Rykie Loew

Glenn Wheeler

👏 Committee members who took on this challenge, for your tireless work behind the scenes:

Lee-Anne Knight

Karin Wheeler

Glenn Wheeler

📣 Referees, the brainstrust and dedicated professionals Special thanks to:

Margot Tredinnick (HR)

Paul Campbell (AHR)

Julie Campbell (Friday & Saturday)

Mark Delany (AHR)

Tanya Greenwood

Ann Hines (Sunday)

Antonia Solomon

And volunteer referees:

Ann Hines (Friday & Saturday)

Lisa Cooper

Brendan O’Rourke

Katherine Sellers

Colin Mendoza

Beth Schiwy

Adrian Gray

Kerry Gray

Jaime Chin

Mark Avery

Denise Twite

Peter Mason

Karen Driessen

Julie Avery

Charisse Hardy

Izzy Pisano

Kristina Schmidtke

Dasha Nepustilova

Nigel Chynoweth

✨ A standout thank you to Kerry Gray, Events Coordinator for Pickleball Australia, who proved invaluable support.

🏟️ Thank you to John Fox from Southern Tas Netball Association, our venue partnerfor allowing us to transform the netball centre into a true pickleball palace for the weekend. The venue looked spectacular and functioned brilliantly.

💪 Our Amazing set-up and pack-down crew, who turned the venue into championship-ready pickleball courts:

Anne McLean

Keiko Dalby

Paul O’Rourke

Murray Limbrick

Gaye Bowden

Anne Westell

Dorris Pessey

Cheryl Gallienne

Kris Schmidtke

Wendy Hudson

Gillian Cannell

Jaime Chin

Penny Douglas

Beth Schiwy

Emma Warnecke

Tony Lawrie

Chris Raspin

Marg Griffin

Steven Fraser

Justin Knight

Bec Sinclair

Matthew Knight

Catherine Turner (NSW)

Michael Turner (NSW)

Alex Smith (NSW)

Sandi Simpkins

❤️ Event Volunteers — We Could Not Have Done It Without You:

Karen Driessen

Andrew Barrenger

Meg Power

David Emmett

Robbie Cooper

Margaret Byrne

Maria Demange

Sue Costelloe

Anne Rathjen

Deb Smart

Robert Bonney

Chanchal Fox

Jane Cusick

Peter Cusick

Rae Watson

Mel Carlton

Sue Headley

Phil Exton

Tony Morgan

Judy Limbrick

📸 Thank you to our talented photographers, Keiko Dalby and Paul Hoelen for capturing the athleticism and community of our event.

➕ And the many names above who doubled up across roles — thank you.

From the youngest competitor at 12 to the oldest at 87, from local first-timers to international visitors, this event showcased the very best of pickleball — competitive spirit, inclusivity, camaraderie and community.

To everyone who played, officiated, organised, lifted, lined, scored, cheered and packed away — you made Tasmanian pickleball history.

What an achievement. What a community. What a championship.

📷 credit Paul Hoelen

📷 credit Keiko Dalby

📷 Credit Lee-Anne Knight