15 Oct 2025
The sport of Pickleball continues to spread across the Wimmera-Mallee, with locals in Birchip getting their first taste of the game at a community come-and-try session held on Tuesday 15 October at the Birchip Public Hall. The session was arranged by Rhonda from Mallee Sports Assembly, with support from Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly (WRSA), as part of an effort to activate local spaces and bring more sport opportunities to the region.
A total of 10 participants took part in the “come and try” session at the Birchip Public Hall a mix of people of varying ages who jumped at the chance to try something new. The sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, proved to be easy to pick up and plenty of fun.
“It’s fantastic to see Birchip getting behind Pickleball,” said Rhonda. “With the Mallee Sports Assembly leading the activation and WRSA backing the setup, we’re helping give locals a fresh way to stay active and connected.”
Rhonda took the initiative to bring the sport to Birchip (and neighbouring Charlton), showing how community-driven the project is. Sessions are planned to build momentum and help establish a regular group.
Pickleball is proving to be a great fit for towns like Birchip friendly, social, easy to play and ideal for using community spaces. WRSA will continue supporting Pickleball growth across regional communities, helping more people discover the social and physical benefits of active recreation.