Record smashed for Morayfield event

The biggest pickleball tournament in the Southern Hemisphere is bringing hundreds of players to the Moreton Bay Region this week.

More than 530 entrants – and their families – are coming from across the world for the Queensland Championships at Morayfield Sports and Events Centre.

Over four days (June 30-July 3) players of all ages will compete in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and hybrid events at 298 Morayfield Rd.

It will be the second successive year Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Pickleball Association of Queensland (PAQ) have combined to stage the tournament.

Twelve months ago at the same venue, 350 players entered – which was a record at the time.

“Another record has been set with registrations eclipsing 500 for the first time at a pickleball tournament in the Southern Hemisphere,” Brendan Lee, Executive Officer of Pickleball Australia, said.

“PAQ, its volunteers and those associated with the event should be delighted at the response from our pickleball community.

“PAQ is known for delivering great tournaments and I am sure this will be no exception.

“The partnership between Moreton Bay Regional Council and PAQ strengthens the ties between council and our community. We thank them for their support.”

Mayor Peter Flannery is delighted to see Moreton Bay Region as a major supporter of pickleball.

"Our Halcyon Glades courts in Caboolture were Australia's first purpose-built pickleball courts,” he said.

“This event, secured through the major events sponsorship program, showcases the rapid growth of pickleball in Australia.”

Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor racket/paddle sport for two or four players using a perforated hollow plastic ball, 34-inch-high net and solid-faced paddles.

It started in the US in 1965 but has grown increasingly popular in Australia in recent years with tennis centres adapting courts for players.