Pickleball is taking over courts across Australia and New Zealand, and leading the charge is Team JOOLA - a powerhouse of pro athletes, coaches, and passionate players who are shaping the sport’s future here.
From Brisbane to Wellington, these athletes aren’t just competing; they’re mentoring, building community, and inspiring the next wave of Aussie and Kiwi pickleball players.
Each one brings their own playing style, story, and favourite JOOLA paddle to the court.
Australia’s Pickleball Talent: Meet Some of Our Players
David Richardson | Brisbane
Style: Calm, supportive, and optimistic.
Paddle: Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
How it started: What began as a casual Facebook scroll ended in a lifelong passion. After seeing a local come-and-try session, David put his tennis background to work - and found a new community in pickleball.
Vibe on court: A steady presence who leads by example.
Simone Kessell | Sydney
Style: Determined, pragmatic, and always real.
Paddle: Simone Jardim Hyperion Pro IV 16mm
How it started: On a walk with her dog, Simone stumbled upon a group laughing and playing on a Sydney tennis court. She asked if she could join, and two hours later was hooked.
Vibe on court: Energy, laughter, and fierce rallies - a reminder that sport is for everyone, not just the pros.
Conor Robertshawe | Wellington
Style: Energetic, loud, and respectful.
Paddle: Ben Johns Perseus 3S 16mm & Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
How it started: A social hit with a mate turned into a full-on competitive passion.
Vibe on court: High-intensity rallies and never-give-up energy.
Aaron Blitz | Melbourne
Style: Passionate, charismatic, and genuine.
Paddle: Ben John Perseus Pro IV 14mm
How it started: A tennis coach turned pickleball player during uni, Aaron now channels that same passion into the pickleball community.
Vibe on court: Big energy, bigger love for the game.
Lucas Pascoe | Melbourne
Style: Calm, strategic, and level-headed.
Paddle: Ben John Perseus Pro IV 14mm
How it started: A mate invited him to hit at home, and the rest was history. Now Lucas plays with quiet focus and clinical precision.
Vibe on court: Stealthy smart play that sneaks up on you.
Andie Dikosavljevic | Brisbane
Style: Determined, passionate, and attentive.
Paddle: Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
How it started: From college tennis courts to pickleball rec sessions at Rocklea, Andie quickly made a name for herself - leading the Northern Crocs MLPA team.
Vibe on court: Quiet assassin energy with a sharp competitive edge.
Kaden Hensel | Gold Coast
Style: Tough, resilient, and intelligent.
Paddle: Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
How it started: Kaden was part of Australia’s first wave of pickleball coaches, trained by Seymour Rifkind and US Open champ Joey Farias in 2017.
Vibe on court: High-performance focus, matched with relentless drive.
Leona Huynh | Brisbane
Style: Fun, competitive, and tenacious.
Paddle: Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
How it started: Introduced to the game during COVID lockdowns by her in-laws, Leona found pickleball to be the perfect mix of physical fitness and mental reset.
Vibe on court: Fast feet, fierce mindset and iconic overhead smash!
More Players, More Stories to Come
These are just a few of the players flying the JOOLA flag across Australia and New Zealand. Each one is making their mark on the local scene, helping to grow pickleball from a backyard sport to one of the region’s fastest-growing competitive games.
Ready to Play Like a Pro?
JOOLA is proud to supply the pickleball paddles trusted by these athletes - from the Perseus and Hyperion series to beginner-friendly options for new players.
