Pickleball growth thrills Val

PICKLEBALL enthusiast Val Bertrand will always remember the number one rule she was taught when learning about the sport – don’t go in the ‘kitchen.’

By Staff Writer

Val Bertrand, pictured with niece Shaina McNeill and three year-old Izzy, was instrumental in bringing pickleball to Warrnambool.

“The kitchen. What’s the kitchen? That was all I was thinking at the time,” Val recalled.

“It was 2017 and I was over in America visiting some friends when they invited me to join them in a game of pickleball. I had never heard of that.

“Back then I was a netball administrator at the stadium (Warrnambool). I’ve always been fit and healthy so was keen to give this ‘pickleball’ a go so I went along.”

It only took a couple of games of this newly-found sport for this visitor from Oz to be hooked.

“It’s an amazing game that can be played by anyone and that’s one of the beauties of the sport. In America there was even a category for people with Parkinson’s which I thought was extra special,” she said.

“There are many quirky rules to the game including that you’re not allowed in the kitchen (the space between the net and a line marked on the floor) before the serve is returned.

“I kept being told don’t go in the kitchen – but I just kept thinking I haven’t been in there, I wonder what’s in there?”

With so much new-found enthusiasm for the game, Val was keen to return to her Warrnambool home and introduce the sport to the town.

“I brought home a few paddles and got in touch with someone in Western Australia who sent me over a couple of beginner sets to get started.

“Our first court was abit of tape laid down on the netball court at the stadium and I got some PVC pipe for side poles and cut down a volleyball net.”

It wasn’t long before Val introduced pickleball to the district and soon after Warrnambool City Pickleball came to fruition.

“Today we have about 80 active players in our club and to see our city host a huge pickleball tournament last weekend, which attracted hundreds of competitors of all ages and abilities, was amazing,” Val said.

“It’s lovely to see the sport growing.”

More than 200 players registered for the first ever Warrnambool Pickleball Open last weekend, with the majority travelling to the city especially for the event.