Pickleball in Australia is growing fast — and on 14 March 2026, the sport hit a milestone that we at JOOLA Australia are truly proud to have been part of. The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun tournament, held at Genesis Christian College in Bray Park, Queensland, made history as Australia's first-ever sanctioned women's-only pickleball tournament. And what a day it was.
With 158 registered players, a live stream, an inspiring keynote, and an atmosphere brimming with energy, encouragement, and community spirit — this was so much more than a tournament. It was a celebration.
A Tournament With a Heart
Organised by Caroline Roets and Rykie Louw, and run by the team at Pickleball Tournaments Australia, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun was designed with a clear purpose: to uplift, empower, and celebrate all women; Not just those who reached the podium.
The event was timed perfectly to coincide with International Women's Day 2026, embracing the mimosa flower as its symbol — representing respect, elegance, dignity, and kindness. From the moment players arrived, they were welcomed into a space that prioritised connection and joy as much as competition.
The day was structured across two sessions — a morning and an afternoon bracket — separated by a lunch break featuring an inspiring keynote from Tournament Director Rykie Louw on resilience and the power of positive thinking. It's not often you find a pickleball tournament that doubles as a personal development event, but that's exactly what made this one so special.
Rewarding the True Champions of the Court
One of our favourite things about this event was how the organisers chose to award prizes. Rather than exclusively rewarding podium finishers, the team recognised the values that make the pickleball community so special.
The most sought-after prizes: five JOOLA Pro IV Guava Rush Special Edition paddles - were awarded to players who demonstrated:
🏅 Best Sportsmanship
🌸 First Time Tournament Entrant
💛 Best Encouraging and Supportive Partner
These categories perfectly reflect everything pickleball stands for - inclusivity, encouragement, and the belief that every player on the court has something worth celebrating. We couldn't be prouder that our paddles went to these women.
A Day Built for Community
Beyond the competitive brackets, the day included a plethora of games where players competed for additional sponsored prizes, creating plenty of action for everyone — not just those deep in the draw. With 24 courts (12 undercover and 12 open hardcourts) at Genesis Christian College, there was never a dull moment.
The entire event was live-streamed via Pickleball Tournaments Australia on YouTube, meaning players' families, the broader Australian pickleball community, and pickleball fans across the region could tune in and cheer along from home.
The response from players has been overwhelming — a flood of positive feedback and, most excitingly, a chorus of requests for another event next year.
Why Events Like This Matter
Women's participation in pickleball is one of the sport's greatest strengths. Unlike many sports, pickleball welcomes players of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels — and women have been at the heart of that growth in Australia from the very beginning. But a dedicated, sanctioned women 's-only tournament? That's a statement. It says: " Your game deserves its own spotlight."
At JOOLA, supporting women in sport isn't a box to tick - it's a genuine commitment. From sponsoring elite female athletes on the world stage to partnering with grassroots events like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, we believe that when women thrive on the court, the whole sport is stronger for it.
A huge congratulations to Caroline Roets, Rykie Louw, and the entire Girls Just Wanna Have Fun team for creating something truly special. Thank you for including JOOLA in this historic day, and for showing Australia what women's pickleball looks like when community comes first.
