Sport
11 July, 2024
Pickleball stars shine
The annual Queensland Pickleball Championships were a huge hit as 620 participants were involved in the Moreton Bay-based event from June 26 to 30.
Games were played at the Morayfield Sport and Events Centre (MSEC) each day, while there were also games at the Redcliffe-based Focus Tennis Academy on the final three days.
The fixtures at MSEC were indoors while the fixtures at Redcliff e were outdoors.
With competitors ranging from 14 to 81 years of age and coming from around Australia and New Zealand, Pickleball Association of Queensland secretary Michelle Jones said the standard of play was very high.
“This year it was also an Australian ranking event, which means that people earned points towards their ranking”, she said.
“A number of the top male players in Australia competed.”
Yeppoon-based Kale Hodgson achieved a gold medal in men’s singles and a silver medal in men’s doubles, while narrowly missing a medal in mixed doubles while playing alongside his partner Kerry Prior.
Ms Jones said one of the highlights of the event was the Open Men’s doubles final, as it was “a fast-paced high quality match”.
Ms Jones thanked the City of Moreton Bay Council for its support.
