With so many Pickleball organisations in Australia, it’s easy to get confused. The sport is growing fast with new leagues, pro circuits and governing bodies emerging as the game evolves. But even we, your humble Bros, have been wondering: Who’s Who in Aussie Pickleball? And how do these organisations all fit in together?
So we went deep. We mapped out the Pickleball Australia landscape, from grassroots clubs to national bodies and to professional leagues like the NPL and PPA Tour Australia. And now, we’re breaking it all down for you- The Aussie Pickleball player. So you know exactly where you stand and what this all means for you and your pickleball game.
Key Takeaways:
- More Organisations, More Chances to Play: Pickleball organisations can feel confusing – but they all exist to give you more courts, more comps, and more ways to play. More bodies = more opportunities. That’s a win.
- Pathways from Local Courts to Pro Leagues : Aussie players now have real pathways from social play to pro. Leagues like the NPL and PPA Tour Australia are stepping stones to the big stage—including the MLP in the U.S.
- Pickleball in Australia is Globally Connected: Your local clubs and leagues all link into a national system via Pickleball Australia, that connects to the Global Pickleball Federation – fueling the push for Pickleball’s debut in the Brisbane Olympics 2032.
The Pickleball Organisations in Australia
Pickleball in Australia isn’t growing by chance. It’s backed by a network of passionate organisations working together to promote and grow the game. These clubs and organisations play a key role in shaping the future of pickleball.
Let’s take a look at the Aussie organisations and how they interact and fit into the bigger picture of pickleball in Australia.
1. Pickleball Australia Association (PAA)
- What is it? The Pickleball Australia Association is the national governing body for pickleball in Australia. Established in 2020, the it has nurtured and guided the development of pickleball in Australia. The PAA also established the 7 state and territory pickleball associations.
- Why it matters: The PAA oversees rules, player rankings, and development programs across the country. And it represents Australian Pickleball on a global stage, working with other governing bodies
- What it offers:
- Affiliation with state-level pickleball bodies
- Coaching certifications and referee programs
- Organised national competitions
2. State Based Pickleball Associations
- What are they? The PAA state based members are all governing bodies that work under the Pickleball Australia umbrella. These associations are run by passionate volunteers with affiliated clubs and venues throughout their states.
- These associations are found in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia.
- Why they matter: They coordinate local clubs, social play, and state championships. And the state based organisations play a huge part in the grass roots growth of pickleball across Australia.
- What they offer:
- Membership options for players
- Local pickleball meetups and beginner programs
- State-level tournaments
3. Local Pickleball Organisations and Community Groups
- What are they? Australia has many independent clubs and social groups dedicated to playing and promoting pickleball at the grassroots level. These organisations are small, but are important for the growth of the sport. You may find these groups run out of community centres or volunteer groups.
- These groups are generally more social. But they provide a fantastic way for people of all abilities and age groups to play pickleball within their community.
- Why they matter: Local groups create inclusive environments for casual players and help grow the sport.
- What they offer:
- Social pickleball meetups
- Coaching for beginners
- Local fun tournaments and community events
4. National Pickleball League (NPL) Australia
- What is it? The National Pickleball League runs Australia’s professional, team-based pickleball league featuring top Australian players. It commenced its first season in March 2024 with 18 teams across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The NPL emphasizes team-based competitions within Australia but it also supports international exposure for its players, such as the “Niupipo Cup” in China in 2024.
- The NPL also run tournaments, social leagues and events as they aim to elevate the game of pickleball across Australia.
- Why it matters: The NPL brings high-level competition and showcases the sport’s growing professionalism. It encourages participation from all players at all skill levels. And it fosters a vibrant pickleball community and provides a platform for player progression within the sport.
- What it offers:
- Competitive team-based matches
- Opportunities for top Australian players to compete at a national level
- Entertainment and a pathway for amateur players aiming to turn pro
5. PPA Tour Australia
- What is it? The PPA Tour Australia is a professional pickleball tour and league. It features a mix of individual and team-based competitions across Australia, New-Zealand and Asia.
- The Major League Pickleball Australia (MLP) sits under the PPA Tour umbrella and offers a unique team based format that blends amateur and professional players. This format is popular in the USA and provides a dynamic playing format for pickleball.
- The MLP boasts one season, six events and 28 teams competing along side the PPA Tour Australia with a total of $1Million + in prize money for the year.
- In 2025 the PPA tour expanded globally with events planned across Australia, India, Canada, Asia and Europe.
- Why it matters: The PPA Tour connects Australian players with the global pickleball scene, offering pathways to international events. And it provides opportunities for the best International players to compete in Australia for Aussie audiences.
- What it offers:
- PPA Tour events held in Australia for elite and amateur players
- Major League Pickleball (MLP) team competitions
- Entry into the world’s premier pickleball tournaments
6. PPA Tour & Major league Pickleball (MLP) USA
- What is it? The US PPA Tour runs the MLP USA. It has over 100 top ranked and highly recognised players from across the globe. Big names like Tyson McGuffin, Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters all compete for the biggest prizes. The MLP USA Leagues are the ultimate in pickleball.
- The MLP features 22 teams with two levels – Premier and Challenger.
- Why it matters: The Aussie MLP players have a pathway to the MLP Pickleball league in the USA. This is an amazing opportunity for Aussie pickleball players to compete Internationally under the PPA banner.
- And Australian players Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis recently signed exclusive contracts with the US PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). Evidence that the pathway is legit and we now have Australian players to follow in the big leagues.
- What it offers:
- A pathway to the Ultimate MLP Pickleball League for Australian Players.
- Another reason for Australian fans to follow the MLP USA with Australian players like Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis on the US tour.
Read More: We lay out the case for the Pickleball Olympics 2032, with our own research and infographics as to why Brisbane will have Pickleball at the Olympics. Check this one out.
Australian Pickleball on a Global Scale
Australian Pickleball is not alone when it comes to our great game. We have direct links to other International organizations that help improve and promote the game. Pickleball is popular is Australia but it is still a niche sport, with only 0.4% of Australians playing the great game last year. But pickleball is bigger than you think.
These organisations fuel that growth with their contribution to global and Australian Pickleball.
- Global Pickleball Federation (GPF): The Global Pickleball Federation was recently established by USA Pickleball as a global governing body. They are focused on achieving the pickleball dream of IOC recognition and the Pickleball Olympics in Brisbane 2032.
- The GPF also has direct links to Australian pickleball. Australian is a member country and the Board Chair for Pickleball Australia, Jen Ramamurthy, is also the GPF Secretary General.
- USA Pickleball Association (USAP): The USAP is the national governing body of pickleball in the US. It provides official rules, tournaments, paddle approvals and rankings for players.
- United Pickleball Association (UPA): The UPA is the parent company of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP). The UPA established the UPA-A to compete with the USAP to regulate the game , players and paddles of pickleball at a professional level.
- Carvana PPA Tour (USA) & Major League Pickleball (MLP): Founded in 2019, the Carvana PPA Tour has the world’s leading professional pickleball tours. It hosts professional tournaments and promotes pickleball Internationally.
Final Wrap: Pickleball Organisations in Australia
Pickleball in Australia is in good hands. The organization and alignment from the Australian governing bodies, led by Pickleball Australia means that Aussie players are winners even before they have stepped onto a court. If you are looking for a social game, a serious competition or a professional tournament, Australian pickleball organisations play a crucial role in growing the sport.
From the local clubs, the national governing bodies, to the professional leagues like the NPL and the PPA Tour Australia, every organization offers unique benefits to players at all levels. And the exciting thing is, pickleball is just getting started. With more clubs, courts and opportunities to play, Aussie Pickleball is the place to be as we head towards the 2032 Olympics.
We hope this helps explain Pickleball Organisations in Australia and beyond. Let us know if we missed anything or even drop in a comment to say hi. The Bros do enjoy a chat.
Pickle on.
The Aussie Pickleball Bros.
Sources & References :
- Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) – National governing body for pickleball in Australia.
- National Pickleball League Australia (NPL) – Australia’s professional team-based league.
- PPA Tour Australia – Australia’s version of the global pro pickleball tour.
- How the PPA Tour Works (Australia) – Details on team structure and rankings for amateurs and pros.
- PPA Tour Press Release: Aussie Players Join MLP – Announcement of Australian players signing with the PPA/MLP.
- Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) – International body focused on Olympic recognition.
- USA Pickleball (USAP) – National governing body in the U.S. supporting international standards.