Pickleball could be coming to Newtown

A request to mark out pickleball courts at a local play park is set to be discussed by Newtown Town Council's Services Committee next week, as the rapidly growing sport seeks to establish a foothold in the town.

A request has been made for court markings to be painted on the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) located at the town centre play park.

The request comes from a local resident who is keen to introduce the sport to Newtown through taster sessions and regular play. It is not known if they represent a local group.

In a letter to the council, the resident described pickleball as "a relatively new racket sport using a paddle 3 x size of Table Tennis bat on a badminton court with a low net" and said it "is all the rage and is gaining significant traction because of its accessibility and ability to appeal to all ages throughout their lives."

The proposal involves marking out a regulation pickleball court measuring 20x44 feet with service boxes and division lines on the existing MUGA surface. The letter requests that the council "paint the relevant lines on that single court to allow 'us' to run taster and other sessions there."

Under the proposal, the individual would provide portable nets and equipment for sessions, with funding potentially available to cover the cost of court markings. The resident wrote: "We' would then bring net and equipment etc" and added "Depending on cost and funding I could find some or all of the money to meet the cost."

The letter highlighted the sport's rapid growth, stating: "There are now 30m people playing regularly in USA and coming on for 50K in UK already." The resident believes the sport "is going to explode now that it has been recognised as a sport on its own in the UK with governing body and ability to attract community funding."

Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. 

Players use a paddle approximately three times the size of a table tennis bat to hit a perforated plastic ball over a low net on a court similar in size to a badminton court. The sport has gained enormous popularity due to its accessibility and appeal across all age groups, with players able to continue throughout their lives as it is easier on the joints than tennis.

The sport has recently gained official recognition in the UK with the establishment of its own governing body, opening doors to community funding opportunities that could support local facilities and programmes.

The existing hard court surface is suitable for the sport, requiring only painted lines to create a regulation playing area.

The proposal suggests that sessions could begin with taster events to introduce residents to the sport, potentially leading to regular playing groups and organised activities.

The Services Committee will consider the request at its meeting next week. Councillors will evaluate the proposal's merits, potential costs, and impact on other recreational facility users.