We are an Australian pickleball coaching and development team who are passionate about the game of pickleball and all that this game contributes to overall health and wellbeing.
Proudly led by Gail Aiken, Pickleball Coaching International (PCI) Certified Coach and Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach.
OUR MISSION
The team at XCEL PICKLEBALL are focussed on identifying and nurturing the unique potential that lies within all participants across all ages and abilities, through structured game play, coaching and programs that address the FUNdamentals of skill building; progress toward mastery of the game; and enhance the body’s ability to PLAY, PERFECT and PERFORM at your chosen level.
ABOUT US
PROGRAM DYNAMICS
Each program and clinic offering comes from an understanding of how you develop the body’s capacity for participation in any given sport or physical activity while contributing critical scaffolding to the body’s health and wellbeing regardless of age or ability. Using Deep Practice* we commence from the ground up and will take you on a journey, specific to your start point, all the while, having fun along the way.
Hence, XCEL PICKLEBALL has a range of programs that encompass our business mantra of
PLAY-PERFECT-PERFORM
delivered within an environment that cultivates respect for all.
XCEL PICKLEBALL is excited to bring to the community an experience that, we trust, will leave you panting for more opportunity to master the fastest growing sport on the planet while connecting you to a magnificent community of fun loving and caring people.
PLAY
Pickleball was founded on the premise of fun. At XCEL PICKLEBALL we have embraced this philosophy.
Our Programs and Clinic options recognize that learning comes best through game-based play, allowing for progressive challenge and maximum movement, according to your capacity. This is based on expertise that comes from years of continued learning in sports coaching, biomechanics, fitness, and partnership with experts from complementary disciplines.
Play to stay in the game for the long term as you also learn how to attend to the wellbeing of your body while having lots of FUN!
*The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle
PERFECT
Looking to elevate your pickleball game to new heights? Look no further!
Our skills development programs are tailored to transform your game and unleash your true potential on the court.
With our team by your side, we will work with you in facilitating game-changing improvements with input on any kinks in your strokes; build toward consistency; understand how to execute the more advanced strokes of the game; and, learn how to use the court space to construct a point.
PERFORM
In our advanced clinics, we will introduce you to key movement patterns, determine shot selection, formulate and implement strategy, and enhance overall performance.
You will also learn how to prepare for tournament play; how to practice with purpose and cultivate a champion mindset so that you can perform when it counts.
OUR PROGRAMS AND CLINICS
Pickleball FUNdamentals
(Beginners)
So you’ve heard about this amazing new game with the funny name. Mix in a little bit of tennis, add a dash of badminton, then sprinkle with table tennis and voila’, you’ve got pickleball!
Kick start your pickleball journey by learning the FUNdamentals of the game; inclusive of rules and equipment necessities to help you in your love affair with this game.
Learn about the kitchen and how to use this area to your advantage while learning how to get the ball to go where you want it as you become acquainted with basic strokes.
This session also includes a minimum of 30 minutes of match play.
Session duration 120 mins
$35 per person
Play to Perfect
(Intermediate)
Pickleball is a game of patience and strategy. Developing consistency; learning how to execute a speed up, reset, third shot drop vs drive and understanding when to implement these is key. This is a snapshot of what you can anticipate to take you to the next level.
We will hone in on identifying your strengths; how to use these as the beginnings of formulating strategy; understanding what it means to play ‘as one’ in order to develop a winning partner combination. This will include assessing the weaknesses of the opposition; understanding how and when to use stacking; and more.
This session also includes a minimum of 45 minutes of match play.
Session duration 120 mins
$35 per person
Coach & Play
(All levels)
Coach & Play is precisely that!
In this clinic you will be given a focus for specific types of play.
The XCEL coach will be looking at all elements of your game play in each context and may identify areas where a 'fundamental' correction will aid consistency.
Players can expect applied coaching methods to assist in refining key areas of your game, inclusive of constructing points for strategy.
This session also includes a minimum of 90 minutes of match play.
Session duration 120 mins
$ 25 per person
mobile Clinics
(All levels)
Any clinic offering can be delivered at your location, or tailored to suit your players’ needs, by request.
Contact gail@xcelpickleball.com.au
Please note: Mobile clinics and packages have regard for travel and relevant variables. Consequently, pricing may vary to those detailed on this website.
Play Like the Pros - Practice with Purpose
(Advanced)
From warm up to warm down you will experience what a player will do to give them an extra edge to move with excellence, set up to execute a flawless stroke, understand and implement the concept of ‘claim and shine’, communicating effectively with your partner.
How to keep yourself “pickleball fit”; positioning, shot selection, dinking finesse, speed ups, stacking, freezing out, game domination, these are all elements that advanced players use to achieve success on the court. Buckle in!
This session also includes a minimum of 60 minutes of match play.
Session duration 150 mins
$50 per person
Tournament Coaching
(All levels)
We all know that the beauty of Pickleball is that anyone of any age can join in on the fun.
Well, the same applies at tournaments!
Tournament play can lift you up to heights you never dreamed of, well, podium heights that is!
Bring along your doubles partner, or, do you prefer the singles scene? By applying skinny singles space and time strategies we will enhance both your singles and doubles play to outwit the opposition.
This is a clinic to get some inside know-how on being successful at tournaments.
This session also includes a minimum of 60 minutes of match play.
Session duration 120 mins
$35 per person
For all private sessions, paired or small groups please contact gail@xcelpickleball.com.au
Pickleball PULSE
(All levels)
This clinic delivers cardio active fun also using Deep Practice* principles!
Combining specific movement patterns, pickleball play, and increasing cardio load, you will be panting and working up a lather in no time.
Each of the six timed segments will build muscle memory to help you develop a skill while also having regard for appropriate stimulus to the body’s relevant energy systems to enhance your fitness.
Aimed at giving the ultimate in on court FUN for groups of eight, while improving fitness and conditioning, Pickleball Pulse is palpable!
*The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle
Session duration 60 mins
$ 20 per person
Ask about our frequent player packages
OUR LOCATIONS
BARINGA STATE PRIMARY SCHOOL
30 Baringa Dr, Bells Creek QLD
Partnering with Baringa State Primary School, this three court stadium is our indoor facility allowing for all-weather play.
The stadium is located next to the carpark off Edwards Terrace.
BALLINGER PARK TENNIS CLUB
Ballinger Park, Ballinger Rd, Buderim QLD
Partnering with Ballinger Park Tennis Club allows participants to experience beautiful green space surroundings with four outdoor courts ready for pickleball play.
Enter the Ballinger Park Recreation Centre driveway and turn right at the end.
MOBILE CLINICS
Any clinic offering can be delivered at your location, or tailored to suit your players’ needs, by request.
Please note: Mobile clinics and packages have regard for travel and relevant variables. Consequently, pricing may vary to those detailed on this website.
OUR TEAM OF PICKLE-BUDDIES
Gail - Program Executive, Program Delivery
Robyn - Clinic Delivery
Robyn's journey to date has seen her involved in several different roles in both her working life and recreational pursuits. Her background is in education, having been a primary teacher and content writer for 30 plus years. But she also brings a wide range of other skills and experiences to the table, crossing over from sports to the performing arts.
Robyn has a strong belief in giving back to community and has taken on many roles for sporting organisations, be it as a coach, umpire or referee, club committee member, or volunteer at events such as the Brisbane International and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
From an early age, sport has been a major part of Robyn's life, playing, coaching and umpiring in the different competitive arenas of netball, tennis, softball and cricket. But she will give any sport a crack - her motto being "I'll try anything once" - and this is what led her to the sport of Pickleball in 2019. With paddle in hand, Robyn quickly became hooked and with a passion for providing learning opportunities, is keen to see the sport develop by sharing her skills and experiences through mentoring.
Understanding that all games need rules has meant that Robyn has also taken a keen interest in the officiating side of Pickleball, refereeing at several tournaments and continuing to develop her knowledge around the rules.
Being part of a group of like-minded people who want to see the sport of Pickleball grow has given Robyn the drive to deliver programs to a wide range of groups. The realisation is, the game has given her so much pleasure that she wants to share the joy.
Gail has an array of career pursuits spanning 50 years all with one common factor in mind; innovating ways for people to explore and realize their full potential.
The past thirty years has been spent working in the sport, recreation and fitness sectors where Gail has received recognition at both state and national levels for her tennis coaching and business innovations. Her outside the square thinking in empowering communities, and providing participation pathways for people of all ages and abilities, led to a journey with Tennis Australia. This spanned ten years in Board and Advisory Group roles, drawing upon her thought leadership and coaching experience; culminating in professional development coaching workshops around the country and overseas.
In more recent years, Gail worked as a volunteer Project Manager for the 2018 Commonwealth Games which opened doors for a move to the Sunshine Coast where she reconnected with the disability sector. This put Gail in the right place at the right time for World Pickleball Day 2019!
Therein began a love affair with this infectious game on and off the court. Playing with a remarkably caring community, Gail identified that many, like her, were wanting to master this sport. So after gathering tips from more seasoned players and coaches, Gail’s hunger to learn more, brought about her pursuit of a Pickleball Coaching International Certification.
The years of community engagement with all ages and abilities, using the medium of sport and physical activity, has been rich and rewarding, yet Gail will tell you, “not possible without equally passionate and skilled people working with you”. Hence she is delighted to begin the journey with a new team who bring their passion and respective expertise to deliver XCEL Pickleball.
Brad - Clinic Delivery
Justine - Community Coaching
Justine has always enjoyed the outdoors and participated in sport, including hockey, rounders, netball, soccer and mountain biking. In the game of squash she joined the under 16 squad for the UK , training and playing against high level athletes who went on to represent the UK on the world stage.
After moving to Australia her involvement in sport served her well participating in squash at the highest level in Victoria. This enabled her to quickly establish a sense of belonging and community as a newcomer to Australia.
An injury and some typical life challenges led Justine to the pickleball court and she realised that her sporting days were not over. She discovered she was still able to compete at a high level in sport, and at the same time was surrounded by like-minded friends; a tribe of people who have welcomed her like a second family.
Justine is excited to be heading up XCEL PICKLEBALL’s Community Engagement program which will include programs for both intellectually and physically disabled participants. This will see an initial collaboration with Special Olympics Queensland to ensure pathways provide opportunity for participants to pursue their sporting aspirations. Justine is also keen to deliver grass roots clinics to schools and organisations to help their students and members become more active and healthy.
Brad is a tennis tragic of 45+ years, who after facing many challenging injuries discovered pickleball while cruising the Pacific Islands!
His athletic interests have been quite varied, competing in many sports from a very young age including table tennis, squash, BMX, basketball and beach and indoor volleyball. Fortunately, Pickleball came along right at the precise moment while on an injury break from tennis.
Brad first stepped on court (terra firma) in 2019 and has been fine tuning his playing style of Pickleball to the point where he now has a strong command of the game and its unique strategic requirements. Brad is an avid player both socially and on the competitive Pickleball scene having medal winning success in singles and doubles at state and national levels.
Over his 4 years of playing Pickleball he has received coaching from some of the best facilitators, including instruction from the highly ranked international player Riley Newman and accomplished Australian player Sarah Burr.
As an accredited PCI Level 1 coach, Brad is extremely passionate in supporting beginners on their Pickleball journey, sharing his knowledge and experience of the game, and he loves to support players who are seeking to develop and finesse their game for competition play. Brad is also a Level 1 accredited referee.
As one of our clinic delivery team you’ll see Brad on the XCEL PICKLEBALL court delivering our popular Pickleball PULSE clinic or assisting players to fine tune their game for success. He also just happens to be XCEL’s marketing and communications specialist and is responsible for our event engagement, social media activity, and this website!
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY
I enjoyed the way ‘PULSE’ combined aerobic fitness with pickleball skills. I could work out within my comfort zone or push myself harder. It’s great for all ages. Young children to grandparents. Loved it!
Barry, 67
I really liked playing with my mum and brother and we had lots of fun learning the game together. It was different to my tennis squad and I thought it was super cool.
Archie, 10
Loved the combination of the game of pickleball, practicing technical skills, and a cardio workout. It was an incredibly fun session suitable for the whole family and a variety of skill levels. I can’t wait to go again!
Colleen, 42
WOW – what an experience! Not only did I get to drill and practice some innovative skills to improve my game, but it was also a fun and engaging cardio workout. Highly recommend the session to those looking to improve their game and fitness, but also have some fun and socialise.
Mick
I love playing pickleball and working out with friends. ‘PULSE’ combines the two perfectly. I found the session interactive and fun but challenging at the same time. I would totally recommend it to all ages and skill levels.
Lee, 63
Pickleball ACT was treated to a series of bespoke pickleball clinics run over 10 days with 96 attendances. Each session was structured to maximise the learning experience and aspirations of each person. Gail is professional, great to work with, adaptable, wise and she has the most wonderful way of making people feel like they have potential. The feedback was extraordinarily positive. I enthusiastically recommend Gail to any individual or club interested in developing their game to the next level.
Stuart Campbell, President, Pickleball ACT
I began my coaching with Gail six months after I started playing Pickleball. I immediately knew that I was in very capable hands. She had me working hard in our sessions together, but the learning points were always clear, targeted and manageable. I never left a session without feeling totally exhilarated, joyful, and confident about my progress and the learning experience.
Erica
I really liked the session. I hadn’t played before and enjoyed learning the special pickleball shots and names for things. I’d like to bring my friend’s next time!
Ned. 12
We made a video!
Dylan Kimlin from ‘Live with DK’ sat down with Gail Aiken for a chat about all things XCEL Pickleball !
AFFILIATES
OUR PARTNERS
RESOURCES
ACCREDITATIONS
Just like you, all of the XCEL Pickleball team are passionate about personal development and betterment to be the best they can be. You can be confident that all of the team have the required accreditations to deliver our clinics. To that end, our team have completed:
Pickleball Coach International Certification (Gail Aiken)
Coach and Assistant Coach Certification with Tennis Australia
Community Coaching Essential Skills (Sport Australia)
Improving Sport for People with a Disability - Special Olympics’ Australia
Spirit of The Game
First Aid Certification
Working with children (blue card)
XCEL Pickleball has all the required indemnity insurances and staff security checks have been conducted by National Crime Check (certificates available).