Pickleball for kids and juniors in Australia

Pickleball suits kids for the same reasons it suits adults: a short paddle, a light ball, a small court and an underarm serve mean you can rally on day one. Here is how Australian families are getting kids into it.

What age can kids start pickleball?

There is no minimum age in the rules. Pickleball Australia describes the game as intergenerational, for players aged 9 to 90. Real Australian programs go younger:

The best age is the age at which a child can hold the paddle comfortably and enjoys hitting a ball over a net. If they can rally a little in the driveway, they are ready for a session.

Where can kids play pickleball?

1. Council school holiday programs. The City of Kalamunda in Perth's hills ran a 90-minute pickleball session at Hartfield Park Recreation Centre in January 2026 for ages 8 to 15. Check your council's holiday program each term.
2. Junior coaching programs. Pickle Power Kids describes itself as a youth-focused program for ages 6 to 15, running coaching, clinics and social play in schools, community centres and recreation facilities.
3. Club sessions. Ask local clubs whether juniors can join social sessions and whether they have any age rules.
4. Council courts and the driveway. Free council courts (see my where to play guides) and a portable net in the driveway are the cheapest way to practise as a family.

What do kids need?

The same as adults: a paddle, balls and court or tennis shoes. The rules do not set a minimum paddle size or weight, and there is no restriction on paddle weight at all. A cheap set with two or four paddles is the usual starting point; see my beginner sets guide. If your child gets serious and wants to enter sanctioned tournaments, they will need a paddle on an approved list, explained in the paddle guide.

Is there a junior competition pathway?

Yes:

• Australian Rankings: Pickleball Australia's ranking categories include Juniors (18 and under), alongside Opens and age groups. Points come from Australian Ranking tournaments, and Pickleball Australia publishes junior rankings on its Rankings page.
• State junior events: Pickleball WA's tournaments page lists a WA Junior Classic in 2025.
• PPA Junior Tour: PPA Tour Australia announced an under-18 circuit of three state opens, built for junior athletes. It says every athlete earns PPA ranking points toward the 2027 amateur draw, plus Pickleball Australia points that count toward national junior representative selection.

See my tournaments guide for how entry and DUPR brackets work.

Can kids play with adults?

Yes. The rules are the same for every age, and Pickleball Australia's "What is pickleball?" page says everyone can play together without modifications based on age, gender or ability. Family doubles, with a parent and child on each side, is a good way to start, because the adults can keep the ball in play while kids learn.

Tips for parents

• Start with the drop serve. It is legal for every player and removes the tricky waist and wrist rules of the volley serve.
• Teach the kitchen early. Kids love running to the net. Learning that you cannot volley in the 2.13 m kitchen saves arguments later.
• Use eye protection as play gets faster. Pickleball Australia's seniors FAQ recommends eye protection as players progress; the same logic applies to juniors in fast games.
• Keep it social. Short games to 11 suit shorter attention spans.