About Us

The Pickleball Association of Queensland (PAQ) established in March 2020 has affiliated with Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) and is now working hard to develop an effective structure to support the growth and development of pickleball across Queensland.

Our Mission

PAQ sees pickleball as a means to "connect communities through a sport for life". As an affiliate of PAA the central purpose of PAQ is the promotion, growth and development of the sport to assist with establishing Pickleball Australia Association as a recognised sporting organisation by 2023. 

Integral to this is providing support to clubs, members, potential new venues, and players.  A direct impact of success will be establishment of a low-impact physical activity for all ages and skill levels within a community, encouraging commmunity connections and a healthy lifestyle.

Our History

2010: Pickleball interest began and there is an indication that games started to be played with discovery of some email correspondence and old paddles on the Sunshine Coast.

2015: Pickleball began to seriously take hold, almost simultaneously, in three locations in Queensland.  Cairns, Noosa and Caboolture (Halcyon Galdes). 

2016: First purpose-built pickleball courts in Australia at Halcyon Glades (Caboolture).  The influence led to the first inter-community competition as well as social playing sessions hosted at Noosa Tennis Centre.

2017: Numbers of pickleball players began to grow in Australia with the majority of them based in Queensland.  Motivated individuals established the first incorporated pickleball association in Australia - The Pickleball Association of Australia Inc. - now renamed as the Pickleball Association of Queensland (PAQ) 

2018: Queensland player numbers grew to well over 300.  Clubs were established in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.  The first national titles held in Sydney in October with 70 participants and Queensland players taking out the following Open titles: Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Men's Singles.

2019: Growth in player numbers across Queensland continued to escalate with well over 750 players regularly participating in pickleball sessions across the state.  Noosa and Southern Downs both established incorporated clubs.  Tournament-style events were run at various venues including the Brisbane Doubles Open.  The Brisbane Pickleball Club hosted the Australian Pickleball Championships in October with 160 participants from 5 states.

2020: Numbers in Queensland are continuing to grow with interest developing in centres all over the state.  This interest, and the establishment of the national body the Pickleball Australia Association Ltd., ignited the drive to create the Pickleball Association of Queensland Inc.

2021: Despite COVID the PAQ financial membership rose to well above 1000 with indications that there are now over 4000 regular participants at social playing events across Queensland.  Clubs have worked tirelessly to support this growth.  Steady introduction of tournaments and competitive fixtures has been the highlight of this year.

2022: It was a another wonderful year for pickleball and the Pickleball Association of Queensland. A few highlights from the year: 

• Our inaugural Queensland Pickleball Tour series had five events with two major tournaments outside Southeast Queensland for the first time. The series culminated in the Finals weekend at Beenleigh. We thank all the clubs, players, and volunteers who made this series such a success.
• Your PAQ committee successfully hosted both the QLD championship and Australian Championship with 310 and 433 players respectively. They are the two biggest pickleball tournaments ever held in Australia and very likely in the southern hemisphere. Multiangle views commentary live streamings were made happen in the Australian Championship for everyone around Australia to enjoy.
• We were delighted to see Pickleball Queensland players participate in tournaments in the US, Spain, Italy, France, Thailand, and Bali. What a thrill to see on our social media how we can follow their exploits and indeed watch them play and barrack for them. Quiet amazing!
• PAQ funded a Regional Coaching tour that took in many regional centres. Feedback from all those involved was incredibly positive. We hope to continue coaching tours in the future.
• Hosted our inaugural PAQ Awards evening and acknowledged the winners of these awards. We look forward to it being bigger and better and a popular date on the pickleball social calendar.

We thank PAA for their support of our association and congratulate them on the great work they are doing across Australia.