Pickleball at Duffield » Duffield Rackets & Fitness

About Pickleball

A balanced workout that’s fun

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball. At Duffield, games are typically played as doubles, but singles can also be played.

Pickleball provides a balanced workout that’s fun, sustainable, and suitable for nearly any age group. Often described as a “gateway sport”, it’s easy to learn and keeps people active who might otherwise avoid traditional exercise. But it is also a sport that can be played at a highly competitive level by people of all ages.

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About our club

We are part of Duffield Rackets and Fitness Club. In the winter of 2023, a small group of around eight squash and tennis members started playing Pickleball after the club was flooded. The sessions, held at Belper Leisure Centre grew in popularity and we were soon filling four indoor courts on a weekly basis.

As part of the flood recovery, the club created 4 dedicated pickleball courts. These were opened in June 2024, our official birthday. Our membership, as at October 2025, stands at over 100 Pickleball only members and around 25 tennis and squash members who also play regularly.

In April 2025, three more dedicated courts were created. These have the benefit of being floodlit. We have a 50/50 mix of ladies and gents and an age profile stretching from early 20’s to over 80. The vibe is relaxed, casual and social but as we grow there is the opportunity for members to get involved in more competitive play.

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The benefits of playing pickleball

Playing pickleball offers a wide range of physical, mental, and social benefit, which is why it’s become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

Physical Health

Improves cardiovascular fitness by raising heart rate and boosting endurance. Enhances balance, coordination, and reflexes through quick lateral movements and hand-eye coordination. Builds strength in the legs, core, shoulders, and arms through constant motion and swinging. Increases flexibility and mobility by encouraging a wide range of motion and reducing stiffness with age. Aids weight management, burning around 300–600 calories per hour depending on intensity. Low-impact on joints due to the smaller court and underhand serve, making it ideal for older adults or those with mild joint issues.

Mental and Emotional

Reduces stress and anxiety. Physical activity triggers endorphins, which naturally boost mood and reduce stress. Improves cognitive function. Strategy, anticipation, and quick decision-making enhance focus, memory, and reaction time. Boosts confidence and self-esteem. Mastering new skills and achieving goals builds a sense of accomplishment. Encourages mindfulness. Being present in the fast-paced rallies helps clear the mind and foster focus.

Social & Community

Fosters social connection. Pickleball played in doubles, encouraging friendships and social engagement. Inclusive and multigenerational. People of all ages and skill levels can play together, promoting inclusivity and bonding. Supports longevity and quality of life. Combining physical activity with social connection is linked to longer lifespan and better emotional well-being.

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Our Timetable

Opportunities to play winter 2025/2026

Sunday	9am to 10.30pm – Advanced play 10.30am to 12.30pm - Social play
Monday			4pm to 6pm – Indoor social play at Ripley Leisure Centre
Tuesday			5pm to 7pm – Indoor advanced play at Belper Leisure Centre
Wednesday		2pm to 4pm – Social, open play	6pm to 8pm – Floodlit men’s practice
Thursday			6pm to 8pm – Floodlit men’s practice
Friday	9.30am to 11.30am – Ladies social play

Frequently asked questions

Pickleball questions

Which session should I join?

All members are welcome to any of the sessions. Open play means all standards mix in and play together. Practice sessions are more competitive allowing players of a similar standard to play each other. There is no need to book, just turn up at any time from the start of the session. Weather obviously has an impact. We will play in the cold, light rain and gentle breeze but heavy rain, strong winds and icy conditions will prevent play. The best way to see if play is happening is to be part of the Pickleball club WhatsApp chat. Let Brent on 07885 427623 or Pete on 07976 425788.

What other opportunities are there to play?

In addition to the organised sessions, members can arrange their own games. We have also introduced club box leagues to give opportunity for competitive play. For those interested in competitive play we run two mixed teams in the Derbyshire Pickleball League. Anyone interested in playing for the teams please contact Brent on 07885 427623 or Pete on 07976 425788..

Do you play in winter?

During the winter we continue with all of the sessions but change the timings to take benefit of daylight hours. Our new floodlit court means we will be able to play on crisp winter evenings. In addition, we moved indoors from October to the end of March, with weekly sessions at Belper and Ripley Leisure Centres.

What should I wear?

Regular sports clothing – shorts/leggings/track suits, t-shirts, sweatshirts etc. Tennis or dedicated pickleball shoes support foot movement better than running trainers.

Looking to improve?

Pickleball Coaching

James Grindell our head coach offers Pickleball coaching. He runs a number of weekly sessions. You can contact him on 07968 058383.

How to easily

Book a court

To book a court you will need use MyCourts. Players can book PB courts 1 to 7 with 5, 6 and 7 being on carpet. To be considerate to our tennis members we ask that the dedicated hard courts are used before booking onto the carpeted courts.

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All you need to know about

Memberships

Annually

Pay in full for the year

£125 / per year

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Access to unlimited play
Access all organised sessions
Full usage of the gym facilities
Bar & clubhouse access + social events

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Monthly

Pay each month

£12 / per month

Join Now

Access to unlimited play
Access all organised sessions
Full usage of the gym facilities
Bar & clubhouse access + social events

Scroll down to ‘not a member’ click through and find the Pickleball option. Chose to either pay in full or pay monthly.
Once you have joined you will be provided with a fob which you can use to access the courts and club house. You will also use this fob for gym access once you have had an induction. The FOB will take a few days before it is available and you can collect it from the pigeon holes in the pool room ups .

Gym Facilities

Members also have access to our well equipped Gym on a pay-as-you-go basis. There is a charge of £2.50 an hour and sessions can be booked following a gym induction. Please contact Mike Corne on 07919 305280 for more information.

There are some additional costs, as follows;
Indoor winter play – charge to cover court hire is £6 a person for 2 hours of play.
Floodlights – a small cost shared between the number of people playing.
Coaching – contact James on 07968 058383.

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Communication

We use WhatsApp to communicate with members, please ask Brent if you want to be added to the chat. You will find all existing members will be able to help you with play or membership questions but for more detail, please feel free to contact Brent on 07885 427623 or Pete on 07976 425788.

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