Dinking with the Community: Maccabi Pickleball Has Arrived!

Photograph: Peter Haskin, The Australian Jewish News (AJN)

There’s a new racquet sport on the rise, and it’s now part of the Maccabi Victoria family. The Maccabi Pickleball Club has officially launched, bringing social play, coaching, competitions, and plenty of fun to the community.

But what exactly is Pickleball? And why is it becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world? We caught up with Nicola Caras, President of Maccabi Pickleball, to find out more about the sport, the club, and how you can get involved.

“Just like a good dill pickle, pickleball is addictive.”

What inspired you to start Maccabi Pickleball, and how did the club come to life?

Just like a good dill pickle, pickleball is addictive. Once I started I wanted to play all the time and often consider quitting my job to play pickleball full time (if my boss is reading this, just joking). So the next obvious step was a Jewish pickleball club so that I can dink (pickleball term) with my people.

Pickleball is growing fast, but not everyone knows what it is! How would you explain the game to someone who’s never played before?

Best sport ever. Specifically, however, it is a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The main differences between pickleball and tennis is that you use a paddle (instead of a racket) and a plastic ball with holes in it. The other main difference is that in pickleball there is a “no volley zone” known as “the kitchen”. A pickleball court is also smaller than a tennis court—so less running involved!

Who is Pickleball for? Can anyone join, or do you need prior experience?

Anyone, anyone, anyone! But especially those who have an affinity for racquet sports. If you have played tennis in the past you can become good quite quickly.

What can people expect at the first few social play sessions?

We have sessions for beginners, intermediate and advanced. We rotate players after every match, so that you play with a variety of people.

Are there plans for competitions, leagues, or coaching for those who want to level up their game?

Kids coaching has already started with the awesome Coach Ang. It is so popular already that we will be adding another session soon.

Adults coaching sessions are live to book into as well.

We plan on holding a Summer and Winter comp to establish once and for all who is rosh of Jewish Pickleball! Stay tuned.

What equipment do new players need to bring, or is gear provided?

Just bring bagels and voorst. Just kidding, no actual pickles are involved in pickleball. We provide everything you need.

Besides playing, are there opportunities for people to get involved in other ways, such as volunteering or supporting the club?

Yes please! We are looking for Jewish pickleball lovers to be involved. Would you like to run comps, organise social events or create cool social content? Help us make Maccabi Pickleball awesome!

Where can people find more info about the club, upcoming sessions, and how to sign up?

If you go to the events page of the Maccabi Pickleball website (https://vic-pickleball-club.maccabi.com.au), there is a link to the booking page.

Ready to Play?

Whether you’re a seasoned dinker or have never picked up a paddle, Maccabi Pickleball is the perfect way to get active, meet new people, and have a ton of fun.

📅 Social play sessions are happening now—check out the schedule, grab your paddle (or borrow one of ours), and hit the court.

💬 Want the latest updates?
Join our WhatsApp group to stay in the loop about events, coaching sessions, and upcoming comps:
👉 Join the WhatsApp Group

Let’s get dinking, Melbourne!

L-R: Nicola Caras (President) and Angie Hoppe (Vice-President) at Maccabi Pickleball