Dearly Beloved, the Bros are back with more HITS than a Taylor SWIFT concert. We have gathered, accumulated and hand curated the biggest and best Pickleball News for our wonderful readers. And here we go….
This week we take a look at some movement in getting Pickleball in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. And don’t forget the NPL’s Aussie Team that Won BIG in China.. And the Australian Pickleball Championships 2024 Registration is about to Open, along with plenty more news.
Let’s do this…
Australian Pickleball News
Pickleball on the Road to the Olympics in Brisbane 2032
The Bros love to speculate about Pickleball in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. And the Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) dropped this juicy news, and it didn’t really get any attention. Well let the Bros catch you up.
The PAA were invited to meet with delegates of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) in Fiji for a “Step Up Conference”. During the conference, the PAA had a pickleball display and they shared the story, success and future of pickleball. A pickleball demonstration was offered during the conference and delegates were given the opportunity to play pickleball.
And you know, when those delegates picked up that paddle and started to play… they were most likely HOOKED! OK, I may have speculated on that part. But this is a real quote from the PAA.
The Oceania Olympic Delegates Waz HOOKED
OK, that was a joke. Here is the real quote from the PAA:
“There is a lot of talk about if and when pickleball will become an Olympic Sport… A great deal of work has to be done to achieve this at the international level, but rest assured the PAA is helping to drive this at the Oceania level.”
Great news that the PAA is all over this. And remember, Tokyo added skateboarding as a sport to the 2020 Olympics. And if Paris has added Breakdancing in 2024… That is not a typo – Paris added Breakdancing. And going with that logic, in 2032… anything is possible. Even pickleball.
Read the Oceania National Olympic Committee delegation meets PAA via Pickleball Australia
READ MORE: We answer the question “Is Pickleball an Olympic Sport” with the latest facts from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Vietnam to Host NPL-WPC Finals – Dates Revealed
The Bros wrote an article on the upcoming Pickleball Tournaments in Australia for the Pro Leagues. There was a question mark for when the National Pickleball League World Pickleball Championships (NPL-WPC) would have their final in Vietnam.
We can confirm the dates for the NPL-WPC Final are from April 3-9 at the Resort Carmelina in Southern Ba-Ria-Vung Tau province. This tournament will feature 300 athletes, with 220 players from across the globe. It will be great to see the Aussies compete in Vietnam for Aussie Pickleball glory. And speaking of Aussie Pickleball Glory, read our next story.
Read the Vietnam to Host World Pickleball Championships from VietnamPlus.
NPL Australia Team Wins BIG in China
The Bros missed this one from a couple of weeks back. Nearly 300 athletes competed at the 2024 “NIUPIPO Cup” International Pickleball Tournament held on March 16th to 17th. The tournament had teams from China and teams from the Americas, Oceania and Asia. It was an action packed, international event.
Congratulations to the Australian Team who won the championship. It’s always great to see Pickleball get bigger across the world. And any Aussie Win in any country is always fantastic. Well Done to all involved!
Read the NPL Australia Wins 2024 Niupipo Tournament in China via NPLPickleball.com.au
Australian Pickleball Championships 2024 – Registrations Open April 12
The Australian Pickleball Championships (APC) is coming soon. It’s like Christmas for Pickleballers, a huuuge tournament for all players held on the Gold Coast from Oct 2nd to Oct 7th.
Registrations Open on Friday the 12th of April via the Pickleball Australia APC Link.
In 2022, 433 players registered for the event. In 2023, 689 players registered. And it’s estimated that 2024 will see over 1000 players register to compete. Follow the link to check out all the events and get in there to compete if you ca. And as usual, the Bros encourage you to see the Pros. So even if you don’t compete, it’s worth seeing the best play in what should be an amazing tournament. Who know, the Bros may even try to attend this one. Just need to check with the wife first…. <cough>
Hello friend, If you missed the Aussie Pickleball Tournaments Page, a complete guide of where to see the Pros play in 2024, you know what to do.
Global Pickleball News
Eugenie Bouchard – From Smoked to Stoked
Eugenie Bouchard, the former Women’s tennis No. 5 and 2014 Wimbledon finalist has had a tough time with Pickleball. In September 2023, Bouchard switched to Pickleball while her tennis ranking was 215. In January 2024 when Bouchard made her pickleball Debut, she got “totally smoked”.
This “nightmarish” debut was proof that tennis skills don’t just translate to a pickleball court. But finally, some good news for the Canadian, she won her first pickleball match by forfeit. And then she achieved her first “real” win in mixed doubles at the Carvana Pro Pickleball Tour in North Carolina.
Let’s see how Bouchard continues in Pickleball, and how many other tennis players follow her lead and pick up a paddle. It’s interesting to see how ex-pros from other sports compete in our fave game.
Read the Eugenie Bouchard celebrates first wins via Sportskeeda.com
Pickleball Gear
Big W Paddles – Not Cheep
When the Bros reported on Super Cheap Pickleball Paddles in Australia, Big W was on top of the list. They had a paddles set with 2 paddles and four balls going for $15. Cheeep.
Interesting to see Big W now has pickleball paddles that are the opposite of Cheeep. For $123.30, you can get a Formula Sports Graphite Face Pickleball Paddle. And if you google search that same paddle, you will find they are also for sale at Bunnings and Myer (online only). What the…?
Although there are better paddles around in that $100+ price range, it is a good sign for our humble little sport when paddles are hitting the bigger retail channels. Which hopefully means more people are aware and playing the sport.
Take a look at the Big W Non-Cheep Graphite Pickleball Paddle.
Final Thoughts
And there we go, another week chock full of news has entertained and then waned. Keep playing and feel free to comment below. Show the Bros some love, we are human beings… We are not Animals…. woof.
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Pickle On!
The Aussie Pickleball Bros.