A: We love welcoming new players! If you want a relaxed, friendly environment to learn the basic rules and get a feel for the game, we highly recommend our Sunday morning social session (10am-12pm) at the Blair Athol Racquet Sports Hub. We have equipment you can borrow during the session, a coach on hand, and fantastic volunteers and regular players who are always on hand to help you learn and get you mixed into games.

If weekdays suit you better, our Ingle Farm session (10am-12pm) is another fantastic option with incredibly patient volunteers.

Alternatively, watch this excellent video:

A: Not at all! The club has limited loan paddles and balls at all our sessions, so you just need to turn up in comfortable sports gear and flat-soled shoes, and bring your own water.

A:At this stage, the club does not sell or stock pickleball equipment for purchase, either new or second-hand. However, from time to time, some of our members may be looking to sell an older paddle as they upgrade their equipment. If you're interested in purchasing a second-hand paddle, feel free to ask around at a session or post in our club community channels—you may find a great deal from a fellow player. If you'd prefer to buy new equipment, beginner paddles are widely available from retailers such as Big W, Rebel Sport, and online marketplaces like Amazon.

For players looking for a quality paddle that offers excellent performance and value, our club recommends the Australian brand Six Zero Pickleball. Six Zero has built a strong reputation for its research and development, high-quality products, and contribution to the growth of pickleball in Australia and internationally. They offer several paddles that comply with sporting regulations for under $100.

Members can also enjoy a 10% discount by using the code NSPBC when purchasing through: Six Zero Pickleball – Quartz Paddle Range

A: All of our session calendars and bookings are managed via OpenSports. To get started:

1. Create a free account at OpenSports.net
2. Join the official Northern Stars Pickleball OpenSports Group Page.
3. Tip: We highly recommend downloading the mobile OpenSports app so you stay logged in and receive real-time notifications.

A: Most of our regular sessions are labeled as "social/open," meaning players of various levels self-manage, mix, and match to find competitive or social hits that match their preference. Our sessions attract many skills and levels of experience so you're likely to find a few players that support your playing style. We also run semi-frequent leagues and host Skills & Drills or Coaching Clinics throughout the year to support player's developement beyond traditional play.

Once you have joined our OpenSports group, these types of sessions will become visible and available for you to book. They are often announced on our social media channels and prioritised to members first.

Q: I'd like to improve my game. Do you have coaches available?
A: Absolutely! We have experienced coaches and knowledgeable players who are happy to demonstrate the game, explain rules and strategies, and help you develop the fundamental skills needed to improve your pickleball.

For players seeking more structured development, our club regularly hosts Skills & Drills sessions and Coaching Clinics for larger groups. These sessions provide focused instruction in a fun, social environment and are a fantastic way to improve your game without the cost of regular private coaching.

If you're looking for more formal, one-on-one coaching, Northern Stars is currently developing a registry of available coaches throughout South Australia. Once established, this will help connect players with coaches who offer private lessons and specialised training opportunities.

Whether you're learning the basics or refining advanced techniques, we're committed to helping players of all levels continue to develop and enjoy the sport.