Although rugby league, rugby, Australian Rules Football, cricket and other sports may be very popular in Queensland, Pickleball is quickly on the rise.
For some Latter-day Saints in the Brisbane suburb of Beenleigh, it is more than a sport. Their participation in the sport is a way of spreading the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Latter-day-Saints-in-Brisbane-play-pickleball.
Latter-day Saints in Brisbane playing pickleball.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Lene Tuiatua, a Latter-day Saint leader in Beenleigh, was first introduced to the largely unknown sport by his friend Robert Gordon in 2021. Intrigued with the similarities to tennis, with less running, Lene soon found himself playing regular games and signing up for competitions.
The buzz around Pickleball is contagious, with many members of the Church taking up the sport. Lene plays with three others, Duncan Rangihuna, Winnie Green and Christian Andrade, who were introduced to the sport by another member of the Church.
For Duncan, Christian and Winnie, the sport sounded ridiculous at first, but they decided to give it a go anyway. They were hooked after their first game.
Lene Tuiatua, a Latter-day Saint leader in Beenleigh, Australia.
Lene Tuiatua, a Latter-day Saint leader in Beenleigh, Australia.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Reflecting on how the game has changed their life, each participant takes a different perspective. For Christian, it is great for his mental health and a lively activity for him and his wife Amy to participate in together.
Mother and son team, Duncan and Winnie, are excited about a fun and friendly sport that is all inclusive, no matter age or ability.
For Lene, it is the missionary opportunities that have crossed his path that he has enjoyed the most. After the games, those he plays with have engaged in many conversations regarding the Church, with one player even asking to attend a Sunday service.
Due to the growing number of members of the Church now playing the sport, there has been a positive shift on the courts that the staff at the Beenleigh Tennis Centre has noticed. Staff have commented that there is less swearing on the court, to which they accredit the general good nature of the players from the Church and the respect they show to their fellow players. In an effort to be more inclusive, games are also being moved from Sunday to Saturday, allowing more Church members to participate.
A group of Beenleigh Latter-day Saint youth also spent a Saturday assisting with gardening around the Tennis Centre as a service project.
Lene, Duncan, Winnie and Christian are now medalists, recently competing in the Queensland Championships. Lene placed 2nd in over 50's singles, and third in men’s doubles for the same age group. Duncan and Christian took out gold in the men’s doubles for over 35's. Christian then won gold and Duncan bronze in the singles for over 35's. Winnie took double bronze in doubles for over 60's and singles for over 50's.
Duncan Rangihuna and Christian Andrade.
Duncan Rangihuna and Christian Andrade.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.First invented as a children’s game in 1965, pickleball has recently captured the hearts of children and adults alike. Although the game has been played for more than 50 years, it has only been in Australia since 2017. Since then, the Pickleball Australia Association was formed in 2020 and the number of players is increasing rapidly. The game is described as a mix of various sports, including table tennis, badminton and tennis, with elements from each sport.
Winnie Green, a Latter-day Saint from Beenleigh, Australia, won a bronze medal at the Queensland Pickleball tournament in 2022.
Winnie Green, a Latter-day Saint from Beenleigh, Australia, won a bronze medal at the Queensland Pickleball tournament in 2022.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Church’s Newsroom website states: “Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are known for their healthy lifestyles. A health plan for the Church was first written down in 1833 by President Joseph Smith, and he presented it to early members specifically as a revelation from God. Today, Latter-day Saints refer to these health guidelines as "the Word of Wisdom” (Doctrine and Covenants 89).