NBPA Newsletter – December 2020
President’s Report
It has been a very busy year for our club with many new members joining, the introduction of additional playing times at PCYC and new venues at Beacon Hill and Avalon. I am very excited about the new outdoor venue in Avalon with 6 pickleball courts and excellent lighting for night play. We have been fortunate that the virus has not been very disruptive to play. I owe a big thanks to Barry and his team for keeping the show going for most of the year. I also owe a big thanks to my committee for all the help and assistance during the year.
After the Christmas break, we will be hosting two Wednesday evening sessions on 13 and 20 January (7 – 9pm). Regular play recommences on the following dates:
| Thursday evenings at Beacon Hill: | 14 January 2021 |
| Saturday mornings at Avalon (indoor): | 16 January 2021 |
| Sunday mornings at Dee Why: | 17 January 2021 |
| Monday evenings at Avalon (to be confirmed): | 18 January 2021 |
| Wednesday mornings at Dee Why: | 27 January 2021 |
| Thursday mornings at Dee Why (new session): | 28 January 2021 |
| Tuesday mornings at Dee Why: | 2 February 2021 |
The Office of Fair Trading has given permission for our AGM to be postponed until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Our AGM is likely to be held in March 2022. Members will be given at least 21 days notice of the AGM.
I would like to take the opportunity of wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
John Fuller
NBPA President
Christmas Party
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we had a very low-key Christmas celebration this year. On Wednesday morning some people got into the spirit of Christmas by wearing something Christmassy and after each game, the losers were required to cheerfully sing a Christmas carol of their choice for the winners. After this fun session, 20+ people joined us for a long lunch and more hilarity at the Time and Tide Hotel.
Avalon Beach Outdoor Courts
We had a very successful trial playing under lights at the new outdoor pickleball courts in Avalon recently with 3 courts going. We had tremendous feedback from players enjoying the experience.
Beginning in the New Year, we are hopeful that Northern Beaches Council will allow us to have a permanent booking on Monday nights between 7 pm and 9pm. We have also requested that Council allow us to have a permanent booking on Saturday mornings between 9 am and 11 am. Playing outdoors is a great experience and we recommend that all members come to Avalon at least once to play on the courts.
The more players we get in Avalon, the more likely it is that Council will mark up pickleball courts for us in Warriewood and other suburbs.
You may not be aware that the outdoor pickleball is slightly heavier than the indoor ball and has smaller holes which assists in negotiating windy conditions.
The great thing about the outdoor courts is that they are easily seen from Barrenjoey Road which represents an excellent marketing opportunity for the game.
Insurance Clarification
As you all know, our club has public liability insurance, management liability insurance and personal injury insurance. Our insurance has coverage anywhere in Australia provided that the venue has been approved by our Club or a State Pickleball Association or the National Pickleball Association. What this means, for example, is that members who have their own nets cannot expect to be covered by our insurance if the venue is a local park, a local netball or basketball court, or local badminton court. If anyone has any questions about insurance, please do not hesitate to discuss it with the President.
Monthly Coaching
Hello and Merry Christmas to all NBPA members.
We completed our second coaching day on the 6th December with a full class. A great group of keen pickleballers went through drills to practise the major components of our game. I also tried to focus on the “game plan”. As you step onto the court, you should be thinking about where you want to be standing after the first three shots of the game? Also, where do you want your opponents to be?
I had great assistance on the day from Chris D, Ian , Robert and of course Janet. Other members such as Derek and Ross also stepped in to give a hand when needed. We also had Archie from “Rebound Health” run us through our warm up exercises. (These exercises can be found here).
We hope to continue these sessions next year and with the interest that is being shown, I’m sure there will be a lot of willing participants.
I feel our club is heading in the right direction and we need to keep a focus on making this game a fun and safe way of keeping fit, enjoying the competition and the company of others.
All the best for the holidays.
Leigh
Beginner or not, the above guide is packed with useful information for all pickleballers. Click on the image to open the guide (PDF version: Click here)
“Clash of the Pickles” Round Robin
Our fortnightly Wednesday round robin competition has given people an opportunity to unleash their competitive side and has been very well received. It’s been a welcome change from the usual “hit and giggle” style of play.
18 people were in the running to win the prize for the highest average points score for 2020. The criteria was participation on at least 3 occasions. Meng Tan and Steven Windsor both played only 3 times with an average score of 57 points, but on a countback of wins, 2nds etc., Meng was declared the winner and Steven the runner-up.
Congratulations and enjoy your Rebel Sport vouchers guys!
Rule Changes in 2021 (77 pages!)
Click here to see for yourself! However, the following are four of the most important changes:
Service lets have been removed. However, it is noted that out of habit, both referees and players may sometimes call a service let. If any player stops play because of a service let being called, that player/team will have committed a fault per rule 7.I.
BEFORE: If the ball touched the net and landed in the service area, the serve was replayed.
The entire score must be called before the ball is served. A player may move their serving arm in any manner as long as they don’t serve (make contact with) the ball until the score has been completely called.
BEFORE: You were unable to begin your service motion until the score was completely called.
Players should not call the score “out” unless they can clearly see a space between the line and the ball as it hits the ground. If there is any doubt about the line call, it is IN!
BEFORE: There was a diagram that showed the ball partly over the line and a rule that discussed parallax and depth of field. These descriptions are now gone to decrease confusion and disagreement of interpretation of the rule.
In addition to the standard serve sequence, players may opt to use an alternate “drop serve” method.
Now you may drop the ball from your hand or paddle and hit your serve after it bounces. You are not allowed to toss the ball up or throw the ball down. It must be dropped. If you choose to use the drop serve, you will not have the restrictions of a regular serve i.e. contact below the naval, upward arc at contact etc. This means that you will be able to hit backspin or slice serves.
BEFORE: There was no option to serve the ball after it had bounced.
Note: Provisional means that the rule will be evaluated for unintended or unexpected outcomes over the next year.
Myths about the Non-volley Zone (Kitchen)
- We’ve heard it so often …. “You can’t step into the kitchen until after the ball bounces”. WRONG!
Clarification: You are allowed to step into the kitchen any time before the ball bounces. - “You must get out of the kitchen right away after returning a ball which bounced first”. WRONG!
Clarification: You need not get out of the kitchen right away. You can stay in the kitchen as long as you want, provided that you don’t hit a volley while lingering there. - “Only one partner can stay in the kitchen at a time”. WRONG!
Clarification: You and your partner can do what you like in the kitchen provided that you don’t hit a volley.
The bottom line is …. both feet must have made contact with the playing surface outside the non-volley zone before you can volley the ball (hit it before it bounces).
Please watch the above videos (particularly the first one) to find out everything you always wanted to know about the kitchen area in pickleball, but were afraid to ask. Click on the “YouTube” link for a better viewing experience.
Radio Northern Beaches Interview
Our thanks go to Fran for organising for our Club to have exposure to the Northern Beaches community by having a session from time to time on the Northern Beaches Community radio station FM 88.7 and FM 90.3.
PANSW News – Report by Ian
The AGM for PANSW was held via Zoom on 6 December 2020 with all resolutions passed resulting in a new constitution and a new committee. There are two members from the inaugural committee who were re-nominated and have been re-appointed. They are Sandra Canniff and Pat McGovern. The other committee members are Sheila Capperauld, Marina Haralambous, Michael Smart, Daniel Sullivan and Donna Jay from NBPA. The committee is due to meet soon to elect office bearers and roles. The year ahead for Pickleball NSW will no doubt be very interesting with new clubs starting around the state as well as the Sydney Metropolitan area as the popularity of this sport grows.
Committee Members
The list of NBPA Committee members can be found here. If you would like to discuss anything or make suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the members.
Player Profiles
Ex-squashies tell their story ….
Having loved playing competitive squash for 35 odd years and now enjoying pickleball, I was interested to find out some of the other ex-squashies’ views on how this new, quirky sport compares to squash.
Rona
Carmel
Pickleball career: 4 months
I have been playing pickleball for approximately four months (began pre COVID so a couple of months non playing).
I find pickleball just as sociable as squash. The people are very friendly and make you feel welcome. It is great fun and made most enjoyable because of these people.
Pickleball is not as physical as squash, and that is the reason that I can play. I ceased competition squash when I turned 60 years of age because of the heavy demand on my joints.
Pickleball is a much more gentle sport as there is not as much ground to cover. There is more time to arrive at the shot.
The cost is very reasonable as I pay as I play. The mental benefits are so positive and when I leave I feel that I have had as good a workout as possible.
Klaus
Pickleball career: 17 months
Doubles play makes pickleball more sociable than squash. I used to play A1,2 squash, which was a lot more taxing but at my age, pickleball will do for a bit of exercise. Any sport is good for mental health and brings people together; widens your social life, meet new people; not many organised sports are available for under $8 for a couple of hours in a safe environment.
Lyn
Pickleball career: 15 months
Pickleball is more sociable than squash. You play with 3 other players on the court and after the match has been completed you play with different people. Pickleball is less aerobic than squash. The court area is less, therefore to retrieve the ball you have a shorter distance to travel. I enjoy pickleball, because you are always meeting new people, it is excellent for overall fitness and the time frame suits me. The venues are excellent as well.
Rick
Pickleball career: 3 months
Pickleball is more social on game day due to all the swapping and rotating with our pickleball matches, whereas squash is a one on one game. Pickleball is much slower and less intense than squash so it’s also less likely for a player to reach the same workout level. Pickleball is not as stressful on the mind as squash and is considerably less expensive to play. It also allows for more personal interaction between players. I find both games very enjoyable to play.
Rona
Pickleball career: 24 months
I find doubles pickleball more sociable than squash, because of the close proximity of your partner and opponents …. plus there is usually a bit of friendly banter going on between points 🙂 I enjoy fast-paced bat and ball games and can’t think of a better alternative to squash. Whilst pickleball is a lot less strenuous than squash, it is nevertheless still a good weight bearing exercise which slows age related bone loss.
Feedback
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