Bunbury Makes Its Mark with Inaugural Teams Classic
Pickleball Bunbury Inc. proudly hosted the inaugural South West Pickleball Teams Classic at Leschenault Leisure Centre on 11 and 12 July 2026, welcoming more than 170 players across 42 teams and five divisions.
Competitors aged from 13 to 80 travelled from across Western Australia, including Albany, Margaret River, Busselton, Greater Bunbury, Harvey, Waroona and metropolitan Perth. More than 100 family members, friends and spectators also attended each day, placing Bunbury firmly on Australia’s growing pickleball map.
Bunbury is an ideal destination for travelling players, offering beautiful beaches, a thriving café scene and easy access to the renowned Ferguson Valley and Margaret River wine regions. The weekend’s social night also gave players the chance to let their hair down, connect and get to know fellow pickleballers away from the courts.
The MiLP-inspired teams format brought something different, fun and exciting, combining men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, rally scoring and thrilling Dreambreakers. Players embraced the format with outstanding teamwork, sportspersonship and plenty of personality.
Event highlights included creative team costumes, Pickle-Man taking out Best Mascot, and Kate Jarman and 13-year-old Cooper Jones being recognised as the player-nominated Most Valued Picklers. Both modelled what it means to be an amazing human on court through their kindness, encouragement and respect for others.
The event was also featured on 7NEWS Regional WA, showcasing the continued growth of pickleball across the South West:
The paddles are flying in Leschenault, with WA pickleballers descending on the South West for the inaugural Teams Classic. It's the latest sign the fast-growing sport is smashing records. | 7NEWS Regional WA | Facebook
The weekend’s success was made possible by an extraordinary volunteer effort, together with the endorsement and support of the Pickleball Association of Western Australia, Leschenault Leisure Centre and our generous sponsors, Flight Centre Eaton (Tandra Norris & Matt Shepherd), The Rose Hotel Bunbury, Mongoose Pickleball (Ash Isaac), HAMR Pickleball, Six Zero Pickleball, Bear Naked Pickleball and Pickle Juice Australia.
As a not-for-profit community sporting club, Pickleball Bunbury Inc. is excited as plans progress towards securing a permanent home for a dedicated pickleball centre, which will become the hub of pickleball for the South West of Western Australia. Businesses, organisations and prospective partners interested in helping create something truly special are warmly invited to get in touch.
Thank you to every player, volunteer, partner, sponsor and supporter who helped make the inaugural Classic such a memorable success.
