Deniliquin's Rhys Thommers shows quick reflexes. Photo: Matthew Kappos
After beginning operations in July, the rapidly growing Echuca-Moama Pickleball Club hosted its first interclub tournament on Sunday.
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Teams from Shepparton, Deniliquin and Bendigo pickleball clubs battled the locals for divisional and overall club supremacy at Echuca Basketball Stadium in the Spirit of the Murray interclub tournament.
Deniliquin's Brad Todd pops it over. Photo: Matthew Kappos
“We’re pretty happy with the turnout,” club vice president Trish Black said.
“It’s been amazing and everyone’s had a great time.”
Each club sent 16 of its best for the tournament, two four-player mixed teams taking part in the Major and Minor leagues, for a total of 64 players across eight courts.
Deniliquin's Kerrie Bishop keeps it flat and low. Photo: Matthew Kappos
Individual matches were composed of four doubles contests, one men’s, one women’s and two mixed, with teams initially playing a pool stage within their league, before semi-finals and final rounds.
Accredited coach Gail Miller took the lead organising the competition, supported by committee members Helen Mubariz and Sue Shinners.
Shepparton's Rochelle Spargo plays close to the net. Photo: Matthew Kappos
“Whatever Gail told us to do, we would do because (president) Doug (Black) and I are not au fait with tournaments, but Gail had her expertise from her previous club,” Trish said.
“She knew about how to run tournaments, and she basically put it all together.
“She’s got the knowledge, which we’re incredibly grateful for because the rest of us would be pretty much floundering around.”
Echuca-Moama's Greg Melton pushes forward. Photo: Matthew Kappos
The Major and Minor leagues fell within certain grading bands, players’ rankings needing to fall within a certain threshold to participate in either league.
Echuca-Moama 3 took out the Minor league, the quartet of Debra Long, Todd Curtis, Toni Hunt and Shaquile Mubariz prevailing in the final.
Shepparton 1 won the Major league.
Echuca-Moama's Sue White wasn’t happy with her shot. Photo: Matthew Kappos
Every match across the day contributed to the club vs club battle, with semi-finals and finals given a higher weighting, and it was Bendigo that came away as the overall club champion.
“Pickleball Victoria is looking to get regions involved in pickleball,” Black said.
“They want to run tournaments in the regions, and so we’re trying to put on this tournament so that we can see, from an Echuca-Moama point of view, that we’re capable of running a tournament.
“(Pickleball Victoria) are looking to grow it all the time, so we’re trying to get Echuca-Moama on the map.”
Major league winners Shepparton 1, Jim Brereton, Laura Wylie, Les Goudie and Rochelle Spargo. Photo: Supplied
The Echuca-Moama Pickleball Club has quickly grown to 70 registered members in the five months since beginning sessions and now holds play five times a week.
In Deniliquin, Pickleball is played at the Deniliquin Sports & Entertainment Stadium.
The Thursday night competition is part way through the season, and there’s regular coaching and other play opportunities.
For more information on how you can get involved in Pickleball in Deniliquin, follow the Deniliquin Stadium Pickleball Facebook page, contact the stadium on 0447 357 437 or deniliquinstadium@gmail.com, or contact the Pickleball group directly at denipickleball@gmail.com.
Shepparton's Les Goudie unleashes a driving serve. Photo: Matthew Kappos
The Echuca-Moama team took on Bendigo, Deniliquin and Shepparton in the first inter-club tournament. Photo: Supplied.
Minor league winners Echuca-Moama 3, Debra Long, Todd Curtis, Toni Hunt and Shaquille Mubariz. Photo: Supplied
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Echuca-Moama's Matt Barras returns from the baseline. Photo: Matthew Kappos
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