Pickleball Sydney May 2019
Our inaugural NSW Open A beautiful weekend awaited locals and interstate visitors as everyone convened on Wahroonga Saturday 13 April 2019. All up we had 51 players in nine events, covering intermediate and Open events. Pictured here are the players from the Mens doubles and Womens doubles section of the draws. Full list of winners and runners up can be found on the next page. Costs were reasonable, and the feedback we received from Survey Monkey confirmed that this was a great event.
Tony Morgan from Newcastle again masterfully ran the details of the draws all the while playing in several events as well. Players came from Queensland, Newcastle, Macksville, and all around Sydney. A great time of playing and competing lasted for the two full days.
Pickleball Sydney News �1
NSW Open Results
Inside you will find the results of the inaugural state championships held over the weekend of 13/14 April at Abbotsleigh Girls School in Wahroonga, NSW. Visitors from Queensland filled out the ranks, and we had reps from Newcastle, Macksville and all around the Sydney basin. We finished in the black and had a great time. See page 2.
Teach the Teacher
Seymour Rifkind and the 5th ranked American pickleballer Joey >>>> will be coming to Australia in June. Their intention is to conduct clinics and also they will run a Level One training at the end of which we will be certified to train others. This is imperative to have to demonstrate the legitimacy of the sport. See the link on page 3.
Battle of the Border
Our first team sport event in the state. An invitation only event, this is taking place on 8/9 June in Wangaratta VIC.
IT’S GROWING!INSIDE:
The Saturday players at the NSW Open 2019
Pickleball Sydney May 2019
Winners— NSW OpenIntermediate level Men’s Doubles
1. Graham Barnes/ Chris Daly
2 Warwick Brodsky/ Gary Fray
Intermediate level Women’s Doubles
1 Rona Richmond/ Jacquline Wilson
2 Kerry Edards/ Jackie Robinson
Intermediate level Mixed Doubles
1 Graham Barnes/ Stephanie Boydell
2 Vince Lofaro/ Denise Aubin
Intermediate level Men’s Singles
1 Bob Mendelsohn
2 Max Murray
Open Mixed Doubles
1 Sundar Ramamurthy/ Jen Ramamurthy
2 Hans March/ Pam Fleming
Open Women’s Doubles
1 Pam Fleming/ Suzanne March
2 Linda Sleiman/ Nicki Vance
Open Men’s Doubles
1 Nick Cooper/ Sundar Ramamurthy
2 Matt Fullick/ Mick Fullick
Open Women’s Singles
1 Pam Fleming
2 Suzanne March
Open Men’s Singles
1 Nick Cooper
2 Matt Szetu
Pickleball Sydney News �2
NSW Open
Saturday: Bob Mendelsohn and Tony Morgan welcomed the crowds and the day began. Eight courts became practice courts and then at the stroke of 10 am, all eight wee the scenes of opening rounds of both mens and womens doubles.
The day ended near 5 pm and a sumptuous feast was the evening fare at sponsor Lotus Inn.
All through the day people bought raffle tickets for the donated prizes including a bottle of Moet champagne, a voucher for the Lotus Inn, a paddle from PB Sports, a Pickleball Sydney t-shirt, some balls. Winners were chosen on Sunday afternoon, to the delight of the remnant.
Open Division Women’s Doubles winners and runners up
All photos here: http://bit.ly/NSWOpen2019
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1825713364387057/
Pickleball Sydney May 2019
Teach the Teacher
On Saturday and Sunday 14/ 15 June at PCYC Hornsby Seymour Rifkind and his offsider Joey (Ranked #5 in the USA) will conduct Treach the Teacher course. 8 hours. 4 in classroom, 4 on the court. Result: You will be a trainer, and be able to coach any newbie who joins us. We have been desperate to have more coaching, and this will launch us further! This is such a key in the growth and success of pickleball in our region. Registration is via the US website. Click here. Cost is AUD200.
Five Dock promotes us
Derek Moore at Five Dock Leisure Centre has been a huge promoter of the sport and even purchased equipment before anyone had played a single point in the gym. We now have two weekly sessions (except during public holidays and school holidays): Monday 10 am to midday and Wednesday 6 am to 10 a.m. Derek even set up a page on their website dedicated to Pickleball. Here’s the link: http://www.fdlc.com.au/pickleball. Well done to all the staff there and if you are nearby, the venue is tops. Two basketball court zones, boasting 8 Pickleball courts. They also sent out an email to their entire list promoting the sport as May began.
Pickleball Sydney News �3
At the NSW Open, Tony and Gill from Newcastle end game with the Ramamurthys
WHERE DO YOU PLAY? Is it on?
Here’s the scene… you are home. You want to have a hit, but aren’t sure if the game is on. What do you do? Check the calendar: bit.ly/PBSydneyCalendar and find out! Of course, the leaders at each venue have to notify Bob if any game is cancelled, but otherwise, what’s written it accurate!
Pickleball Sydney May 2019
Player Profile: Kerry Edards
She lives on the North Shore of Sydney and has played in three different venues and came in (along with Jackie Robinson) runner up in the intermediate women’s doubles at the NSW Open. What’s amazing is that for 30 years Kerry had given up her sports, and has only been playing Pickleball for two months or so! Welcome to this madness, Kerry!
Q: Kerry, you are mad keen on wild native animals here in Oz. How did you get into Wires?
K: I love Australian wildlife. We are very lucky to have such interesting and unique animals. I joined Wires with my ex-husband and we enjoyed rescuing and caring for various species and ended up specialising in bats and reptiles. The days of removing snakes from people’s houses are behind me now settling to just care for my bearded dragon “Feef” instead.
Q: Is there a way for others to join you in this passion
K: Visit wires.org.au for more information
Q: How did you get into pickleball?K: I noticed the pickleball group on Meetup and I thought it was something I would like to try. It’s been a wonderful experience. The pickleball players have been so welcoming, patient and friendly. I’m really enjoying the social side and have quickly become addicted to the game. I’d love to go to the US or South America for a pickleball holiday.
Q: What do you hope to be doing in the next five years? K: I see myself moving to somewhere less crowded than Sydney. Somewhere where they play pickleball of course!
Pickleball Sydney News �4
Kerry at the NSW Open