07/08/2026
𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫.
Last weekend I was truly humbled by the generosity, kindness and community spirit of our Queensland pickleball family.
I have been involved in many sporting events over the years, but I have never seen a community come together quite like this. Every raffle ticket purchased, every sausage sold, every donation made, every volunteer who gave up their time, every sponsor who stepped forward, and every player who entered the tournament helped make something extraordinary happen.
Today I am incredibly proud to say that every dollar raised have been distributed to our Queensland players representing Australia at the Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam.
Our players have expressed their sincere gratitude. They know this support comes from a community that believes in them and is proudly standing behind them as they wear the green and gold.
The tournament itself was everything pickleball should be. The courts were filled with laughter, great music, friendly competition, plenty of chasing after pickleballs, and smiles wherever you looked. It wasn't about DUPR points or medals. It was about friendship, community and supporting a fantastic cause.
A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors and donors:
• Stace Muir – Pickled Pink supporter shirts
• Nicola Schoeman - Private lesson and Paddle donation (Ramsports)
• Dave Abrey - Joola pickleballs
• Stephen Klibbe – Bottlemart
• Six Zero
• Roan Van Graan – Morgan's Seafood
• Merse Wellness Spa
• Jill Sharaga - giant jar of lollies
• The Komo Hotel Redcliffe
• Shelley Gooch - delicious cupcakes and cookies
• Graeme Clemett - Hustle paddle
• Chris Novic - donated the use of the facility, tournament balls, a Volair pickleball bag and a Joola Kosmos paddle.
• Caroline Roets - organising the tournament & raffles (aka making it happened)
Thank you to our amazing referees, volunteers, medics and Focus Pickleball Staff.
Finally, thank you to every player, supporter, raffle ticket buyer, BBQ customer, donor and spectator. You all played a part in making this happen.
This weekend reminded me why I love this sport so much. Pickleball is about far more than what happens on the court. It is about people looking after people, supporting one another, and achieving something together that none of us could do alone.
From the bottom of QPC heart, thank you for believing in our Queensland players and for showing them what this incredible pickleball community is all about.
Good luck to our Queensland representatives in Vietnam. Know that an entire community is behind you, cheering you on every step of the way.
