FAQ

Q: How do I sign up to a BPC session?

A: Our sessions are managed via the OpenSports app. Set up a (free) account and then search for the Brisbane Pickleball Club. You will then be able to view all the sessions. All sessions are booked and paid for via the app.

Q: Where can I play pickleball in Brisbane?

A: The BPC runs numerous sessions, both indoors and outdoors, throughout Brisbane. Current locations/venues include (but are not limited to) University of Queensland Tennis Centre, Coorparoo Indoor Sports, Albion Indoor Sports, Griffith University Tennis Centre -Mt Gravatt, Nissan Arena -Nathan, East Brisbane -Churchie Courts, Wakerley netball centre, The Gap Tennis Centre, Indooroopilly, Inala PCYC, Balmoral, Fig Tree Pocket, Rocklea and more. Refer to OpenSports for up-to-date listings.

Q: I have never played pickleball before, how do I get started?

A: We strongly recommend that people who have never played pickleball before attend a BPC 'come & try' session first. At these sessions you will be introduced to the rules of the game and shown how to score. All equipment is provided for these sessions. You will find our come & try sessions on the OpenSports and MeetUp apps. Once you have attended one or two come & try sessions you should have a good understanding of the rules and be confident with scoring. We recommend you then try signing up to sessions listed as 'beginner' or 'social' or 'all levels'.

Q: I have signed up to a BPC session, what do I need to bring?

A: You need to wear comfortable sporting attire and shoes. Shoes designed for tennis/basketball/netball allow for more lateral movement than running shoes, therefore lessening the risk of injury. If you have joined an indoor session, badminton/volleyball shoes are also a good option. You will need to bring a filled water bottle, and a sports towel can also be useful in the warmer months. If you have joined an outdoor session, also ensure you bring/wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or visor. Paddles are available to borrow at most sessions (check with the session host if you are not sure). The BPC provide balls and nets for all sessions.

Q: Why should I pay to become a member of the Brisbane Pickleball Club?

A: When you join the BPC, you are also joining the Pickleball Association of Australia (PAA) and the Pickleball Association of Queensland (PAQ). This allows you to play in sanctioned tournaments. Even if you don't wish to play tournaments, the PAA holds the insurance for all BPC sessions. When you first play in a BPC session, if you are not a club member you are asked to sign a waiver form which will cover you for 4 to 5 sessions. It acts like a temporary cover note. Unless you then pay membership, you are not covered. BPC membership also enables you to sign up to sessions as a member, which is usally cheaper than non-member spots. You also need to be a member to play some of our most popular venues/sessions (particularly Intermediate and Advanced sessions at UQ). Currently you are also eligible for a free club t-shirt (subject to availability). Last but not least, you will be adding to membership numbers which gives us more weight to progress the sport of pickleball for our local community and further afield. Numbers matter when it comes to grant applications while we seek an official clubhouse or 'home' for pickleball in Brisbane.

Q: I have played competitive tennis for years. Do I still need to attend a come & try session?

A: We still recommend you attend a come & try in the first instance. Pickleball scoring is unique to pickleball, and there are a few idiosyncratic rules. Once you are confident with how to play and how to score, if you have a strong raquet sport background, you may be at the required level to attend intermediate sessions, without attending some beginner sessions first. Your come & try host will be able to provide some guidance and advice with this.

Q: Do I need to have my own paddle, or can I borrow one at a session?

A: Paddles are provided for all come & try sessions. Most sessions marked as 'beginner' or 'social' level will have a limited number of paddles to borrow. For intermediate and advanced level sessions, participants are generally expected to have their own paddles. This can vary from venue to venue. We recommend that if you need to borrow a paddle for a session, you say so in the session chat once you have signed up. If the venue does not have any paddles for lending, there is a good chance that another attendee might have a spare one they could bring along. Balls and nets are provided for all sessions.

Q: I am a member of the Brisbane Pickleball Club Facebook group, can I book as a member on OpenSports?

A: No, being a member of the BPC Facebook group does not equate to being a member of the Brisbane Pickleball Club. You can only book members spots if you have joined up to the club and paid your annual subscription here.

Q: I am not a BPC member, can I still sign up to BPC-run sessions via OpenSports?

A: This varies from session to session. All come & try sessions are available to everybody, whether you are a BPC member or not. Most other sessions will have both member and non-member spots available. Member spots are usually cheaper than non-member spots. If you are not a financial member of the BPC you can not purchase a member spot. If there are non-member spots available you are welcome to sign up to the session. Due to the popularity and limited number of spots available, some sessions have been denoted as members only. Intermediate and advanced sessions at UQ are one example of this. If you would like to join the BPC you can do so here.

Q: How do I get in touch with the Brisbane Pickleball Club?

A: You can find a list of committee members and their roles here, enabling you to email the person you think could most help with your enquiry. If you have a general enquiry you can also fill out our webform here and somebody will be in touch. Another option is to send a private message via the Brisbane Pickleball Club Facebook page.

Q: I see BPC sessions described as beginner, social, intermediate, advanced, 3.0+, 3.5+ etc. What does this all mean?

A: These relate to player ability/level. There are several pickleball rating systems, but the one used to describe BPC sessions can be found here (best viewed on a desk-top browser). As a rough guide, a rating of 2-3 generally equates to a beginner-level player, a rating of 3-4 generally equates to an intermediate-level player, and a rating of 4 and above equates to an advanced-level player. There can be a huge range in playing standard between a 'low' intermediate player (rating of 3-3.5) and a 'high' intermediate player (rating of 3.5-4). This is why some sessions might include in their description '3.5+' which means it is targeted more at strong intermediate and advanced players, and less-strong intermediate players might struggle. For the enjoyment and safety of all participants in the session, it is important that you only attend sessions appropriate to your playing level. Some sessions might be described as 'all levels' or 'social'. During these sessions it is expected that you adapt your play to suit the others on the court with you. A markedly stronger player repeatedly targeting the weakest player is not good sportsmanship.

Q: I have signed up to a BPC session. How is it going to be run?

This varies from session to session. Every BPC session has a dedicated host (or two) who have autonomy over how they would like to format their session. Sometimes games are assigned by the random drawing of playing cards. Some sessions run an 'American round-robin' where you play with and against all the other players assigned to your court. Some sessions will let you nominate a partner who you'll be able to play several games with in preparation for tournaments. Some sessions use a 'King of the court' system where players move up or down courts depending on whether they won or lost, and then split. Some sessions set a time (usually 12 or 13 minutes) for games, and in other sessions you play games until you reach 11 points. If you have any feedback for hosts, or suggestions on how you would like the session run, please discuss this with them. 

Q: My 13-year old is keen to play pickleball, can I sign them up for a BPC session?

A: At the moment we are unable to have unsupervised minors at BPC sessions. You may sign your child up, but please ensure there will be a supervising adult in attendance for the duration of the session. If they have never played before, ensure that you sign them up for a 'come & try' session in the first instance. The BPC does offer Junior memberships as one of our subscription options. We are hoping to be able to run dedicated sessions for young people in the future.

Q: Will I be able to play singles at a BPC session?

A: No, doubles are played at all of our sessions. However, if the session hasn't been filled, there may be an opportunity to play singles, but it can't be guaranteed.