Introduction
Welcome to the exciting world of pickleball, where strategy, agility, and fun meet on the court. In this post, we’re proud to announce the construction of South Africa’s first dedicated pickleball court in the town of Memel-Zamani, a small town located at Thabo Mofutsanyane district in rural Free State, South Africa.
The court will provide a much-needed space for players of all skill levels to come together and enjoy the game. We expect that the court will attract players from across the region, and we’re confident that it will help to further the growth of the sport in South Africa.
What is pickleball?
For those who may be unfamiliar with the sport, pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a court with a net that’s similar to a tennis court, but smaller in size.
Players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net, with the aim of landing the ball in the opponent’s court. Pickleball is a great sport for people of all ages and skill levels, and it’s particularly popular among seniors due to its low-impact nature.
The Growth of Pickleball in South Africa
Pickleball is a relatively new sport in South Africa, but it’s been growing rapidly in popularity in recent years worldwide and now in South Africa. Many players who have been introduced to the sport have fallen in love with its combination of strategy, agility, and fun. With the addition of South Africa’s first dedicated pickleball court now in the Free State, we’re excited to see the sport continue to grow and thrive in the region.
The Benefits of Playing Pickleball
In addition to being a fun and social sport, pickleball also offers numerous health benefits. It’s a great way to get some exercise, improve your coordination and balance, and even relieve stress.
Because it’s a low-impact sport, it’s easy on the joints and is a great option for people with arthritis or other joint problems. Plus, since it’s played on a smaller court than tennis, it’s easier to cover the court and get to the ball.
Construction of South Africa's First Dedicated Pickleball Court
Memel.Global L3C, a grassroots development and social enterprise, is behind the construction of the court. This impact-driven organization is dedicated to improving the future of Memel-Zamani and its residents.
Memel.Global made a commitment to invest in dedicated pickleball infrastructure for the public good in Africa. Initially, their plan was to construct an outdoor public pickleball court, but due to the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the work was halted.
However, the team adapted and built a pilot court on private land provided by Drakensberg Club (DKBC), a residential retreat for the emerging Gauteng elite. The pilot court was constructed by local community members who are enthusiastic pickleball players and ambassadors of the sport.
This unique approach to the construction process provided temporary employment opportunities for local pickleball club members during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were paid stipends and provided with food for their entire families in exchange for their work on the court.
This strategy not only secured the livelihoods of the local community members but also drove community participation, dignity, and a sense of ownership among the local pickleball club members.
According to Pule Setai, co-chairman of DKBC, which supplied the land, “The court building process became a collective exercise which brought pride and a sense of ownership to everyone involved.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, as avid players ourselves the construction of South Africa’s first dedicated pickleball court in the Free State is an exciting development for the sport in Africa. We’re confident that the addition of a dedicated pickleball court will provide a much-needed space for players of all skill levels to come together and enjoy the game.
We’re proud to be part of this project, and we look forward to seeing the court in action. We believe that pickleball has a bright future in South Africa, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of its growth and development.
Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you on the court soon!
