POLOKWANE – History was made last Friday with the official launch of Polokwane’s first-ever pickleball club, dubbed Pickletown.

The celebration continued on Saturday with a public open day, giving residents the opportunity to try pickleball for free throughout the day.

Pastor Jannie Calitz shared that their journey with the sport began when his friend Hano Botha introduced them to the idea and they initially played in their backyard. What began as a fun hobby soon turned into a passion, leading to the founding of Pickletown – a company co-directed by Jannie and Lizelle Calitz, along with Hano and Stephne Botha.

To enhance the overall experience, the Pickle & Pour Coffeeshop was also launched on-site, run by Sulize and Pierre Calitz, offering refreshments to visitors before or after their games.

Pickleball is a growing sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a smaller court, it’s known for being easy to learn, enjoyable across age groups, and suited for both casual and competitive play.

The vision behind the club belongs to Botha, a seasoned tennis coach with 35 years of experience. His goal was to create an activity that encourages children to step away from screens and helps people of all skill levels get active. He emphasised that the focus is on fun, not performance.

Located at the corner of De Wet and Diemeer streets, Pickletown also features the Pickle & Pour Coffeeshop, a pro shop, and a health store, making it a one-stop destination for both fitness and leisure.