Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in many parts of the world, and Australia is rapidly catching up. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong on a smaller court, pickleball is accessible for all ages — particularly popular among active older adults. Clubs and associations need funding for court conversion, equipment, and development. This guide covers the key funding sources for pickleball in Australia.
Pickleball Australia is the national governing body for pickleball, affiliated with the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP).
Key areas:
- Club and court development
- Junior development programmes
- National competitions
- Coaching and referee development
Contact Pickleball Australia and your state body for information on Sport Australia investment and national programme access. As a growing sport, Pickleball Australia is developing its national programme infrastructure.
State pickleball bodies are developing across Australia:
- Pickleball NSW
- Pickleball Victoria
- Pickleball Queensland
- And others — the sport is rapidly institutionalising
As pickleball grows, it is attracting attention from Sport Australia and state sport agencies. The sport's appeal to underrepresented groups (older adults, non-traditional sport participants) makes it attractive:
- Sport Australia: Growing sport investment and participation strategy
- State sport agencies: Community sport development for growing sports
- Active ageing investment: Pickleball's appeal to older adults connects to health sector funding
Pickleball clubs affiliated with registered venues can access gaming grants:
- NSW ClubGRANTS: Community sport development — including court conversion
- State gaming trusts: Equipment and programme grants
- Many pickleball clubs form in tennis club facilities that already have gaming trust relationships
Pickleball courts are typically converted from tennis courts (4 pickleball courts per tennis court) or constructed as standalone facilities. Court conversion funding:
- State government sport facility grants: Court conversion projects
- Local councils: Recreation facility investment — many councils are adding pickleball courts
- Gaming trusts: Minor facility improvements and equipment
- Tennis clubs: Joint applications for court conversion with existing tennis facilities
Court conversion is a high-value, relatively low-cost infrastructure investment — a single tennis court can be converted to multiple pickleball courts for significantly less than building new courts.
Pickleball equipment is relatively affordable compared to many sports:
- Paddles for beginners (club-owned loaners)
- Pickleballs for training and competition
- Portable nets for flexible court use
- Line-marking equipment
Gaming trusts and sport agencies fund equipment for community clubs.
Pickleball is one of the most powerful active ageing sports available:
- Low-impact on joints compared to tennis
- Highly social and accessible
- Excellent for falls prevention (balance, coordination)
- Growing evidence base for health outcomes
Health funding connections:
- State health departments: Active ageing and falls prevention
- Primary Health Networks: Physical activity for chronic disease management
- Aged care sector: Resident activity programmes
Pickleball programmes framed as active ageing interventions have access to the health sector funding stream in addition to sport funders.
While primarily known as a seniors sport, pickleball is growing among juniors:
- School PE programmes
- Junior club development
- After-school pickleball
Sport Australia and state sport agencies fund youth sport development — junior pickleball programmes are emerging.
Strong pickleball applications demonstrate:
- Participation numbers: Total players, breakdown by age
- Active ageing: Older adult participation numbers and growth
- Court access: How courts are accessed, what conversion is planned
- Inclusion: Disability, beginners, diverse communities
- Health outcomes: Falls prevention, chronic disease management, social wellbeing
- Club governance: Financial health, volunteer structure
- Growth trajectory: Evidence of rapid growth and demand for funded investment
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage grant applications, track court and equipment funding, and demonstrate the active ageing and participation outcomes that funders value.